Florida Drivers Handbook - Chapter 3 - Defensive Driving

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Chapter 3 - Defensive Driving

This section of the Florida Driver Handbook explains defensive driving habits and techniques.

Topics Addressed in Chapter 3 of the Florida Drivers Handbook include:

Defensive Driving	Passing
Safety Belts	Parking
Protecting Children	Expressway Driving
Speed Limits	Animals
Right of Way	Handling Emergencies
Pedestrians	Sharing the Road with a Truck
Making Turns	Sharing the Road with a Bicycle
	Sharing the Road with a Motorcycle

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Defensive Driving in Florida

Good driving is based on practice and being alert at the wheel. When driving, you must make sure that nothing interferes with your ability to see the road, react to situations or operate your vehicle properly. You must look down the road, to the sides and behind your vehicle and be alert for unexpected events. Be alert to what is going on around you and do not take your eyes off the road for more than a few seconds at any one time. Do not have objects inside your vehicle that might interfere with your ability to drive safely. This might include objects that obstruct your view of the road or mirrors.

Distracted Drivers

Good drivers develop habits that focus their full attention on driving. Some drivers can develop bad habits that can be very dangerous when driving. Some bad habits that distract your attention away from driving are:

• Driving when ill, upset or angry.
• Driving while eating and drinking.
• Driving while adjusting the radio or changing CDs/tapes.
• Driving while calling, answering or talking on a mobile phone.
• Reading while driving.
• Driving while drowsy or fatigued.

Getting Ready to Drive

Before you start your engine:

• Make sure all windows are clean. Remove anything that blocks your view of the road.
• Adjust the seat so you can reach all controls.
• Adjust the inside and outside rearview mirrors. You should not have to lean forward or backward to use them.
• Lock all car doors.
• Put on your safety belts. Ask all passengers to do the same.
• Make sure your car is in park or neutral gear before starting the engine. Never move your car until you have looked in front, behind and to the side for pedestrians and oncoming traffic. Then, signal and pull into traffic when safe.

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving means doing all you can to prevent crashes. As a defensive driver, you will "give" a little. You will change your driving to fit the weather conditions, the way you feel, and the actions of other drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Follow these steps to avoid crashes:

1. Look for possible danger. Think about what might happen. If there are children playing by the road, plan what you will do if one runs or rides into the street.
2. Understand what can be done to prevent a crash. See the defensive driving tips which follow and Handling Emergencies.
3. Act in time. Once you have seen a dangerous situation, act right away to prevent a crash.

Use these defensive driving tips if you see that you are about to be involved in a crash:

• It is better to swerve right instead of toward oncoming traffic to prevent a crash.
• Hitting a row of bushes is better than hitting a tree, post or solid object.
• Hitting a vehicle moving in the same direction as you are is better than hitting a vehicle head-on.
• It is better to drive off the road than skid off when avoiding a crash.
• It is better to hit something that is not moving instead of a vehicle moving toward you.

When You Back Up

Check behind your vehicle before you get in. Children or small objects cannot be seen from the driver's seat. Place your right arm on the back of the seat and turn around so that you can look directly through the rear window. Do not depend on your rearview or side mirrors as you cannot see directly behind your vehicle. Back slowly; your vehicle is much harder to steer while you are backing. Whenever possible use a person outside the vehicle to help you back up.

Avoiding Rear-end Collisions

Many crashes happen because one vehicle runs into the back of another one. Here are some things you can do to lower the risk of someone running into the rear of your vehicle.

• Check your brake lights often to make sure they are clean and working properly.
• Know what is going on around you. Use your rearview mirrors.
• Signal well in advance for turns, stops and lane changes.
• Slow down gradually. Avoid any sudden actions.
• Drive with the flow of traffic (within the speed limit). Driving too slowly can be as dangerous as driving too fast.
• To avoid striking the vehicle in the front of you, keep at least two seconds following distance. This is accomplished by using the two-second rule. Information for the two-second rule is found under the section, Minimum Safe Following Distances.

Basic Driver Improvement

Any driver can take a basic driver improvement course. The course teaches ways of keeping crashes from happening. One driver can sign up, or a group can request a class. Consult your yellow pages under Driving Instruction for the location nearest you.

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