If you’ve been in an accident that wasn’t your fault, the likelihood is you’ve seen some pretty aggressive driving. We’ve all witnessed lunatic drivers at some point or another. While there is nothing you can do to stay completely safe from other drivers, defensive driving skills can help you avoid serious accidents.
Pay attention
Defensive driving involves being constantly vigilant and aware of your surroundings, so always fully concentrate on the road and cars around you. This way, if someone is driving poorly or dangerously, you are far more likely to spot them before it is too late.
If an accident does occur, whether or not it was your fault, defensive driving will likely make the accident significantly less dangerous and/or life-threatening.
Safety first
You should always be thinking about the safety of you and your passengers. This means keep your speed down and follow the licence plate rule. You should be able to easily see the rear bumper and licence plate of the car in front of you. If the weather is poor and/or the car in front breaks suddenly, this will make sure you have time to stop and possibly avoid a nasty crash.
Rid your car of distractions
If you are easily distracted, and even if you’re not, don’t fill your car with air fresheners and dashboard clutter. Never use your phone when in your car, not even with hands-free devices, and try to avoid any other form of distraction such as music.
Have an escape plan
Try to position yourself on the road so that you can easily be seen and, if you are worried about a particular driver, consider routes that will allow you to move out of the way quickly.
These are just some of the basic rules of defensive driving but there are lots of courses and instruction manuals online that will give you a deeper insight.
If you do get into an accident that wasn’t your fault, Not My Fault car hire can provide an accident replacement car that is reliable, easy to use and provides you with a choice of accident replacement vehicles.
