Serving Cottonwood, AZ & Surrounding Areas including Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cornville, and Sedona

Mon - Thurs: 8a - 5p | Fri: 8a - 4:30p | Sat - Sun: Closed

WHY DEFENSIVE DRIVING MATTERS

Car safety begins and ends with you. You can’t control any of the other drivers on the road with you. However, you can control how you react to them. Whether you’re speeding or driving recklessly, you’re going to put a lot of wear and tear on your car. You’ll need to see a mechanic a lot faster by the continuous use of the brakes than you would if you were driving safely. You’re also more likely to need auto repair because of an accident due to your reckless driving. Here are a few tips on how you can be more car aware and how to drive defensively.

1. ALWAYS CHECK LANES

One way that you can start using car safety is to check your lanes. While a lot of cars have lane assistance and lane detection systems, some still don’t. Even those that do have this sophisticated technology can sometimes be wrong. Checking the lanes yourself is a good practice to use.

Whether you’re changing lines, merging onto the highway, or just driving the highway, you should regularly check the lane. You may find someone speeding down the lane next to you and driving recklessly. In the event that they decide to swerve on you, you can react accordingly because you were aware that they were in the lane next to you.

This might save you from needing to stop by an auto repair shop for damage caused by sideswiping.

2. WAIT AT STOP SIGNS/LIGHTS

Another tip for driving defensively is to wait a few moments more at a stop sign or a stoplight. Sometimes you’ll find a driver who is attempting to speed through a yellow light that turns red right as they cross the road. If you had sped your car up the moment the light turned green, then there’s a chance that you could have hit one another.

You shouldn’t trust that people are going to stop when they’re supposed to. Instead, take the extra few moments to ensure everyone has stopped before driving forward.

Stop Sign/Light Defensive Driving

Here’s a breakdown of how you should treat a stoplight or stop sign.

  • Stop at Light/Sign
  • Wait for Light to Turn Green
  • Once green, check for cars stopping or speeding up
  • Check for pedestrians and bikes
  • Cross once everyone has stopped

3. DEFENSIVELY TURNING

If you have to turn left, then you’re ripe for another visit to the mechanic. Whether you’re turning left, or someone is attempting to turn left on the other side of the road, you could have a problem. Not everyone waits for a left turn signal. You should always hesitate before turning left or driving forward if someone is turning left to ensure they don’t step on the gas to turn before anyone else.

Be Aware and Safe

Repairs can be expensive. Defensively driving and being car aware can help keep you and your car safe. Incorporate these tips to improve your driving and increase your safety. 

Related Posts

PROPER WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THE DANGERS OF MISALIGNED DRIVING

Misaligned wheel driving is dangerous to the sustainability of your vehicle, and especially road safety. When your wheel alignment is not in place, it may feel like your car is jerking you to the side or controlling you in some sense, when the driver needs to be in complete control of the car. The problem is that a car’s wheel alignment can be knocked out of whack through daily occurrences that are common and car owners wait for a severe problem to occur before getting their cars examined when wheel alignment checks should be a part of routine maintenance.

WHEN DO I NEED NEW TIRES?

There are numerous indicators to look out for that will cause you to buy new tires for your vehicle. However, attempting to figure out the precise time span for how long your tires last is nearly impossible.

HOW DO I REPAIR BRAKES ON MY CAR?

Your brakes are your vehicle’s most important safety feature, which is why it’s critical to keep your brakes in strong working condition—not spongy, not slow, and not squeaky. So, how do you know if you need to replace brakes or any brake system components? The truth is it’s not always obvious… for an obvious reason. Your brakes are designed to wear out gradually, so you have time to take your car in for brake service or a brake repair, before your brakes fail entirely. Read on for more information about car brake repair and what to watch out for when it’s time to replace brakes.