Car safety: how do foreign drivers protect themselves from driving?

Using safe driving practices will not only keep you safe, it will also save you money. In some countries, many insurers offer reduced premiums for drivers who have never had an accident or have enrolled in an approved safe driving course. Learn how to drive safely abroad!

Car safety: how do foreign drivers protect themselves from driving?

1. Focus and keep your hands on wheel. Defensive drivers pay attention to road conditions and put their hands on steering wheel for 10 and 2 o'clock respectively. They will not do other things while driving (some things are illegal), including:

  • Yes
  • Makeup
  • Hold a pet
  • Child care
  • Using a mobile phone (without a speakerphone)
  • Send text messages
    • Car safety: how do foreign drivers protect themselves from driving?

    2. Look at six roads. Constantly keep an eye on your side and rear view mirrors, keep a close eye on road ahead, and watch out for hazards and slow traffic so you can anticipate problems before they happen.

    Car safety: how do foreign drivers protect themselves from driving?

    3. Be vigilant. Do not drive if you are tired or distracted

    Car safety: how do foreign drivers protect themselves from driving?

    4. Increase traffic. Most drivers know that speeding is main cause of accidents, but driving too slowly can also be dangerous. Maintain same speed as most vehicles.

    Car safety: how do foreign drivers protect themselves from driving?

    5. When entering a section of road with heavy traffic, use two-second rule to maintain required distance from vehicle in front.

  • Select a stationary object on road ahead.
  • When a vehicle in front passes your chosen object, count silently for 2 seconds. Slow down a little if you pass same object before you finish counting. When vehicle in front comes to a sudden stop, two-second rule helps reduce chance of a rear-end collision.
    • Car safety: how do foreign drivers protect themselves from driving?

    6. Let others see you. Many accidents happen because drivers don't notice other cars. There are some easy ways to get attention and make drivers around you safer, including:

  • Signal. Use your signal to let other motorists know which direction you are going. When other drivers see your flashing lights, they can anticipate your movements and slow down safely.
  • Headlights. Don't forget to turn on your headlights in evening or when it's raining. This is done primarily so that other drivers can see your car, and secondarily so that you can see road clearly. In some places it is forbidden to turn on wipers without turning on headlights.
  • Stop lights. Correctly working brake lights are a necessary step in ensuring safety. Stoplights warn other vehicles that you are about to slow down and signal them to slow down after you.
  • Avoid blind spots. Do not linger in blind spot of vehicle in front. Many people simply look in mirror before changing lanes. If you are behind vehicle in front or across lane, driver in front will not see you. Accelerate or decelerate safely and do not allow vehicle to remain in this dangerous position. This is an important defensive driving technique.
    • Car safety: how do foreign drivers protect themselves from driving?

    7. Allow violence. Some of behavior of aggressive drivers may annoy you, but such retaliation is dangerous. You must respond to intense rage with a conservative attitude. Here are a few strategies you can use when faced with certain aggressive behaviors:

  • Close drivers: If driver behind you is following too closely, you can apply brakes several times to let them know they are not keeping a safe distance. If he followed close behind, you can gradually reduce speed of car, and he will most likely overtake you.
  • Speeders. If you see vehicle behind you accelerating or changing lanes, stay in same lane and maintain speed.
    • Car safety: how do foreign drivers protect themselves from driving?

    8. Adapt to road conditions. Dizzy rain can also be dangerous, especially in early spring when water mixes with oil on road surface, making it slippery. The faster you drive, the more likely your tires are to lose traction, so slow down in bad weather. It is also a defensive driving technique.

    Car safety: how do foreign drivers protect themselves from driving?

    9. Knowledge of traffic rules. Flip through Department of Transportation brochure and memorize rules of road. It provides guidance on right-of-way, road signs, traffic rules, and contains tips for safe driving.

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