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Driving instructors would always remind their students to drive defensively—the key to staying alive when you drive is to follow five fundamental rules that apply not only for used cars but also for new ones as well. Driving defensively could spell the difference between life and death, and surely nobody wants the latter to happen. If everyone followed these rules, car accidents would no doubt decrease, and both passengers and pedestrians would be safe from harm. Rule #1: Maintain a safe following distance. Did you know that almost forty percent of vehicle accidents are caused by tailgating? And if you happened to be the one who rear-ended the vehicle, the blame is on you, even if the front vehicle did make a sudden stop. “That’s what the brake lights and your brakes are for,” the traffic enforcer would say. If you want to avoid spewing forth expletives in the event of a rear-end collision, then simply do your best to maintain the proper distance so that if the vehicle in front stops suddenly, you have enough reaction time to slow down and stop your car. How far should you be from the other vehicle? The space should be equal to the length of a car; on the highway, two or more car lengths is best. Rule #2. No distractions! It is easier to pay attention and focus on your driving if you don’t have any distractions such as ringing phones, hard-to-reach pens in handbags, loose pocket change, and sleek used cars on the next lane. If these distractions are sharing functional brain space with your driving, you’re bound to get into trouble. It makes you miss landmarks, forget turns, and slows down your response rate. Keep your eyes on the road! Rule #3. Don’t drink and drive. Walking a straight line and driving are two different tasks. Just because you can walk a few steps without veering off to one side doesn’t mean your driving skills, focus, and response time are the same as when you didn’t have anything to drink. If you find yourself at a party and would still have to drive home, wait two hours after your last drink before taking the wheel—better yet, don’t drink at all. Here’s a drinking tip: follow up your alcohol with an equal amount of water to help you wind down. Rule #4. Follow the speed limit. There’s a reason why speed limits are set in place, and why you should be conscious of your speed, even on a seemingly empty highway. The faster you are, the more you are at risk of getting into an accident. Even when you’re driving a reliable used car, a high speed leaves you with a shorter reaction time to avoid a crash or slow the car down. Maintain the recommended speed or simply keep pace with the traffic flow. Rule #5. Check your car regularly. Make sure that all of your car’s safety features are working properly, such as the seat belts, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and air bags. Most used cars already come installed with the latest safety features such as cruise control and a GPS navigation system you can use to call for help. Stay safe on the roads; practice defensive driving!
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