Defensive Driving Rules

Rule 5: Motorcyclist—you need to be very careful

Motorcycles, to most of riders, are a unique form of transportation that privileges them an exclusive position on the road. Speed and fun that come along with it expose them to dangers mostly not met by motorists. The lack of substantial protective shields between a motorcycle and the road result into serious injury or death at the event of collision. Unlike a car or other four wheelers, a motorcycle is lighter in weight; it has no door, no roof, no airbags, and no safety belts; therefore, motorcyclists are about 26 times more likely to die in a crash than a person riding in a passenger car, and are 5 times as likely to be injured.

A helmet alone doesn’t guarantee your safety: In case of collision with a four wheeler, or any other form of accidents, the motorcyclist involved can’t escape injury. What would be a "fender bender" for a four wheeler is often death for a motorcyclist. Wearing helmet, therefore, in most of the accidents, doesn’t make much difference.

I remember, once I was thrown off my motorcycle at a minor speed of 40 mph. It wasn’t a collision; I was just trying to save a puppy that emerged, all of a sudden, in front of me. I landed on my head. I was wearing a good helmet so it saved my head, but it took four months to completely recover from pain and injury. I still ride the same bike, wear the same helmet but I ride it very carefully. A recent study shows that a motorcyclist can suffer fatal head injuries in an impact as low as 4 mph.

Visual Recognition: Motorcycles, due to small in size, are smaller visual targets, which are more likely to be covered by other vehicles, or weather conditions. This is an issue of greater concerns at intersections, where near about 70 percent of motorcycle-versus-vehicle collisions occur.

Road Hazards: Hazards such as potholes, oil slicks, puddles, debris, ruts, uneven pavement, and railroad tracks become a major hazard for a motorcyclist.

Poor Riding Skills: Against the popular belief that a motorcycle is very easy to ride, it requires much more skill and physical coordination to operate than a car. Majority of motorcycle accidents are caused due to the rider’s lack of basic skills, or inability to understand the operating characteristics and limitations of the motorcycle.

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Defensive Driving Rules

Rule 4: Wear your seat belt


We seldom realize the importance of seat belts until we come across an accident. The sole purpose of seat belts is to protect us at the time of collision. It not only sustains crash forces but also keeps us from being thrown out of the vehicle. All major researches show that the majority of death, at the time of crash, occurred because the persons involved were driving without wearing seat belts. Yet we come up with a variety of excuses for not wearing them. Some of them are:

1.“I don’t feel comfortable.” “It’s suffocating.” “I can’t breathe properly.”
Are they really so uncomfortable? Nothing is as comfortable as dying or spending months in hospital or losing one of the limbs.

2.It wrinkles my neatly ironed clothes. Undoubtedly, they do.

3.“I don’t want to stick to the seat at the time of crash. What if I’m trapped or my vehicle catches fire?” But the fact is, people get killed by smashing themselves inside the vehicle. Being thrown outside is even dangerous. Besides, it helps you stay conscious; therefore, more likely to escape in case the engine catches fire.

4.“Those who ride with me make fun of me if I’m wearing the seat belt.” You must not listen to them or the best would be to ask them to wear it. The point is why to keep such company who are so irresponsible. Let them realize the fact that wearing seat belts prevent over 50% of deaths and injuries.

5.“I don’t care!” Some of us are living daredevils and would never fear death. There are certainly other ways to express our audacity. Wearing seat belt is for our good; we better accept it at the earliest.

Defensive driving rules

Rule 1: Careful driving

What happens after collision? You might be the victim or the one who made someone victim. In either case what excuse comes out? “Sorry, I didn’t notice you!” “I never saw you!” “It is your fault!”
Apparently, almost every collision involves inattention of one or both drivers. It could be anything, talking, drowsiness, fatigue, highway hypnosis, any sort of distractions or even daydreaming.

Seeing, recognizing and avoiding are the three basic elements of defensive driving. Driving a vehicle is not like walking or riding a bicycle. A slight negligence can claim life or disable a person for life. Paying attention helps you create the time that you need to recognize hazards and escape collision.

Have your ever wondered why most of collisions take place in your locality?
It’s not just a coincidence. The fact that we are too relaxed causes the problem. Familiarity creates contempt and inattention. Most of don’t realize that a fatal injury can occur even in low speed collision.

Being alert and poised while driving is not as easy task as it seems. The problem worsens by each passing month and year. Our mind tends to wander and we drive automatically. Most of the collisions are caused by experienced drivers. We really seriously need to think over it.
Attentive driving can be practiced and mastered. We can make a list of Do’s and Don’ts and go through it immediately before you start driving. Driving is not a casual task; therefore it does require your full attention.

How to drive smart

There is a perceptible difference between driving fast and driving smart. Driving fast is exciting, no doubt, but gets traffic tickets and risks life. Driving smart, on the other hand, saves money, keeps from receiving tickets, and saves life. The point is, everybody can drive smart. There are a few tips one can keep in mind:

1.Never forget to wear a seatbelt; it’s a mandatory in every state. In case you have an accident and someone in your car is not buckled up, you are quite likely to be charged with crime.

2.Back off. There is no need to drive pretty close to the vehicle in front of you. A number of accidents occur in such circumstances.

3.Drive slow. It’s safe and secure. There is no point chasing the car who took you over. Studies show that up to 80% of accidents take place due to speeding.

4.Be very careful at the intersections. Over half of the accidents in urban areas take place at intersections, mostly when someone ignores the red signals and doesn’t slow down.

5.Driving defensively is highly appreciable. Assume that rest of the drivers are negligent and going to make an illegal maneuver, and you are alert to avoid problems.

6.Don’t ever carry drugs or alcohol in your car, nor allow your friends to do so. It’s a serious offence in all states. Therefore, make your stand clear. If you have some friends who are drug or alcohol addicts, better avoid them for good.

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