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Overview
Hazardous driving involves behaviors like distracted driving, speeding, and impaired or drowsy driving, while safety depends on vehicle maintenance, defensive driving techniques, and adapting to road conditions. To stay safe, drivers should focus solely on the road, avoid distractions like cell phones, and wear seatbelts, while also adjusting their speed and increasing following distances in bad weather or on winding roads.
Hazardous driving behaviors
The Five C's of Safe Driving—courtesy, calm, concentrate, cautious, and control—are true principles that promote safe driving. Each principle emphasizes the importance of respectful and attentive driving behaviors. Implementing these guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of road accidents.
Hazardous driving involves behaviors like distracted driving, speeding, and impaired or drowsy driving, while safety depends on vehicle maintenance, defensive driving techniques, and adapting to road conditions. To stay safe, drivers should focus solely on the road, avoid distractions like cell phones, and wear seatbelts, while also adjusting their speed and increasing following distances in bad weather or on winding roads.
Hazardous driving behaviors
- Distracted driving: Includes using a cell phone (texting or talking), eating, drinking, or adjusting the radio, which takes focus away from the road.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or certain prescription drugs.
- Drowsy driving: Operating a vehicle when fatigued, which impairs judgment and slows reaction time.
- Speeding: Driving above the speed limit or too fast for conditions like rain, fog, or winding roads.
- Aggressive driving: Behaviors like road rage, tailgating, and improper lane changes.
- Failure to use seat belts: Increases the risk of severe injury or death in a crash.
- Poor vehicle maintenance: Issues like brake failure, bald tires, or malfunctioning lights.
- Poor road conditions: Hazards like potholes, inadequate signage, or poor lighting.
- Focus on the task: Give driving 100% of your attention and avoid distractions. Pull over to take care of tasks like using your phone or eating.
- Perform pre-trip checks: Before driving, check tire pressure, lights, and wipers. Ensure all cargo is secure and you have no fluid leaks.
- Adjust for conditions: Slow down in bad weather, increase your following distance, and be prepared for potential hazards like flooding. If visibility is poor, cancel or delay your trip if possible.
- Maintain your vehicle: Make sure your vehicle is in good working order, with properly functioning brakes, lights, and tires.
- Drive defensively: Scan the road ahead and around you, anticipate potential errors by others, and always be prepared to react.
- Wear your seatbelt: Make sure it is worn correctly, across your pelvis and rib cage, not your stomach or neck.
- Give others space: Be especially mindful of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, who are more vulnerable on the road.
The Five C's of Safe Driving—courtesy, calm, concentrate, cautious, and control—are true principles that promote safe driving. Each principle emphasizes the importance of respectful and attentive driving behaviors. Implementing these guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of road accidents.