Considering Middle Tennessee’s rapid population expansion in recent years, it’s no surprise that traffic has become a problem throughout the metropolitan area. Unfortunately, increased traffic leads to traffic accidents, including Nashville. Defensive driving abilities can be quite helpful in avoiding collisions. Keep reading to learn these safety driving tips for Middle Tennessee drivers.
Maintain a Safe Distance
Follow the 3-second rule. Keep at least three seconds between you and the car in front of you as a general rule. A 3-second space between you and the vehicle in front of you will allow enough time to react to unexpected vehicles or hazards on the road. Not maintaining a safe distance leaves you with no time to respond if the driver in front of you does anything unexpected.
Assume Others Aren’t Paying Attention
The concept of defensive driving is based on the expectation that other drivers are going to make mistakes or break traffic laws (which often happens because they aren’t paying attention). By keeping in mind that the vehicles around you may not be attentive, you’ll automatically take measures to give others space so that you won’t be in their way.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
One of the primary keys to safe driving is mindfulness – that is, being present in the moment. As a defensive driver, your eyes should be constantly moving, checking mirrors every few seconds, observing other vehicles in the area, paying attention to your peripheral vision, etc. Doing so will help alert you of anything out of the ordinary, giving you enough time to anticipate and react to avoid collisions.
Look Ahead of You
It’s easy to become entranced or merely focus on what’s directly ahead of you or around you in heavy traffic. Proper defensive driving necessitates looking further down the road to anticipate potential impediments or risks. A decent rule of thumb is to keep your eyes ahead of you for about 15 seconds—roughly one city block at slow speeds or a quarter of a mile on the interstate.
Be Mindful at Intersections
“Don’t trust green lights” is another way of saying it. Anticipating the possibility that another vehicle will run a red light and crash into you is part of thinking other drivers will not respect the rules. When approaching an intersection, slow down with caution. By approaching an intersection with caution and anticipating that other drivers will not respect the rules, you should have more time to swerve and avoid an incoming motorist who runs a red light.
Minimize Distractions
Turn your phone off and don’t eat or drink anything while driving. When conversing with passengers, don’t turn to look at them. Keep the volume of any audio sources low to avoid being overwhelmed or drowning out sirens. Pull over if you’re drowsy. Don’t become a distracted driver. Distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents.
Conclusion
We hope you learned these safety driving tips for Middle Tennessee drivers. Defensive driving does not ensure that you won’t be involved in an accident. However, it does lessen the risk. A qualified Middle Tennessee personal injury attorney can assist you in filing a claim and helping you to receive the compensation you deserve to pay your medical expenses and other damages if you are involved in an accident in Nashville or in Middle Tennessee.
If you or a family member have been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence or aggressive driving, contact our Nashville-based office at 615-244-2111 for a free and confidential consultation, and we will assist you. Our law firm works on a contingency basis. There is no fee unless a settlement or jury verdict award is reached on your behalf.
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