{"id":17709,"date":"2021-08-06T16:51:02","date_gmt":"2021-08-06T16:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/?page_id=17709"},"modified":"2021-08-06T16:51:02","modified_gmt":"2021-08-06T16:51:02","slug":"driving-safety-for-experienced-drivers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/driving-safety-guide\/driving-safety-for-experienced-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Driving Safety For Experienced Drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you\u2019ve been driving for many years, it\u2019s safe to say you don\u2019t exactly drive the way your driver\u2019s license manual wants you to. Over the years, you developed your own driving habits, and slip into autopilot when driving regular routes like your commute. Sure your car tags<\/a> are up to date, and you keep up with your oil changes, but driving safety isn’t always at the forefront of your drive. You probably don\u2019t adjust your rear-view mirror every time or buckle up right before hitting the gas pedal. Instead, you may wear your seat belt once your car alerts you too, or at the first stop sign you encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Experienced drivers don’t always have driving safety top of mind<\/span><\/strong>
After decades of being behind the wheel, you\u2019re an experienced driver. So you\u2019re less diligent and less anxious about driving than you were as a teenager. But more than 38,000 people die in crashes every year in the U.S. California, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, and Arizona had the most fatalities in 2019, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Keep reading for a refresher course on the importance of defensive driving, and road safety tips that even experienced drivers like you can forget.
SEE ALSO: OLDER DRIVER SAFETY, QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF OR AN AGING PARENT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 2.2 million people are injured in motor vehicle crashes each year in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practice defensive driving<\/span><\/strong>
Just like the term describes it, you\u2019re on the defensive when behind the wheel. Instead of reacting, your defensive driving behavior allows you to anticipate hazardous situations on the road so you have enough time to adjust your driving safely. Even as an experienced driver, you should practice more defensive driving. Assume other drivers make mistakes and always be on guard despite adverse conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

50 mg of diphenhydramine, a popular over-the-counter antihistamine, can impair your driving more than a BAC of 0.10%<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aside from mistakes, don\u2019t forget other drivers can be impaired. They may be driving drunk or less alert due to prescription medication. Every day about 800 people are injured in a drunk-driving crash. They may be tired and feeling drowsy. In fact, in 2017, 91,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsy drivers. These crashes led to about 50,000 people injured and nearly 800 deaths. And don\u2019t forget, you\u2019re also sharing the road with people who have varying levels of driving experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 2016, USA today reported that the percentage of traffic deaths where at least one driver tested positive for drugs has nearly doubled over a decade<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always look ahead, far ahead<\/span><\/strong>
When you\u2019re driving, look far down the road ahead of you to see what\u2019s coming well in advance. Coming to a stop or changing from one lane to another takes quite a distance to achieve, if you don\u2019t know what\u2019s coming up you can\u2019t ensure you make your move safely. Good drivers look at the distance they\u2019ll be traveling for 12 to 15 seconds. At high speeds like on the highway, that\u2019s about a quarter of a mile. So, shift your focus between what\u2019s coming up and what\u2019s right in front of you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scan for emergency vehicles, brake lights from other cars, motorcycles around you, pedestrians if you\u2019re in a local zone, road work, car crash, and other things that can help you anticipate a hazardous situation. As an experienced driver, you should always give yourself time and space to react to risks on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintain the right speed all the time<\/span><\/strong>
There are various speed limits in various areas. A higher speed on highways, lower one in school zones, and more in between. When you drive fast, you have even less time to react to hazards on the road. Resisting to hit the gas pedals also allows you to maintain the right space between you and other vehicles, as well as bicyclists. You don\u2019t want to be tailgating anyone. Speeding reduces the ability of road safety structures like guardrails, impact attenuators, crash cushions, median dividers, and concrete barriers to protect vehicle occupants in a crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In 2019, speeding was a factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities, killing 9,478, or an average of over 25 people per day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving at the right speed limit makes you safer in inclement weather. Fresh rain makes the roads slippery and at a higher speed you risk hydroplaning which can lead to a crash. In 2019, speeding was a factor in fatal crashes for 19% on wet roads according to the NSC. Weather-related vehicle accidents kill more people annually than large-scale weather disasters. In fact, 17% of all vehicle crashes happen during winter conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wear your seat belt on every drive<\/span><\/strong>
Buckle up every time you get behind the wheel. Not just on long drives, not just when your carpooling children, not just sometimes. All the time, since seat belts save lives! In the case of a crash, if you\u2019re buckled up you have more chanced to ride out the accident and not be ejected from the vehicle. Air bags provide added protection, but aren\u2019t a substitute for seat belts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you buckle up when driving or riding in the front seat, you cut your risk of a fatal injury in a crash nearly in half.\u00a0In 2018, 89.6% of drivers and passengers in America used seat belts, which saved about15,000 lives. The national use rate for set belts was 91% in 2019. In some states, a police officer can pull you over for not wearing a seat belt and give you a ticket. That\u2019s called a primary enforcement seat belt law. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In other states, only if you\u2019re pulled over for another offense and police officer realizes you\u2019re not buckled up can they give you a ticket for not wearing a seat belt. As of September 2020, 31 states didn\u2019t a primary enforcement law covering all seating positions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you\u2019ve been driving for many years, it\u2019s safe to say you don\u2019t exactly drive the way your driver\u2019s license manual wants you to. 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