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  1. Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    4,313
    #1
    Defensive driving is a form of training for motor vehicle drivers that goes beyond mastery of the rules of the road and the basic mechanics of driving. Its aim is to reduce the risk of driving by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others. This can be achieved through adherence to a variety of general rules, as well as the practice of specific driving techniques. (Wikipedia definition)

    Let's discuss the rules (by Robert Schaller) one-by-one:

    [SIZE="6"]Rule 1: Pay Attention![/SIZE]

    Pay Attention "I never saw him!" is the most common excuse heard after a collision. Was the other vehicle invisible? Virtually all collisions involve inattention on the part of one or both drivers. Inattention can involve many things, some of which are daydreaming, distractions, sleepiness, fatigue, "highway hypnosis," talking, etc.

    A moving vehicle develops thousands of foot-pounds of energy. YOU as a driver have the responsibility not to use that energy to injure or kill others, or damage their property. Paying attention makes it possible for you to see, recognize and avoid the hazards lurking on the road; these are the three basic elements of defensive driving. The primary attribute necessary for a safe driver is alertness, and paying attention is the most important driving task because it helps create the time you need to recognize hazards and avoid a collision.
    One statistic often quoted is that most collisions happen within a short distance from home. Why is this true? Since we mostly drive in our own neighborhoods, the odds are we'll have most of our mishaps there. Close to home we get more comfortable and perhaps let our guard down (and the other guy does the same thing); you've heard that "familiarity breeds contempt?" Better yet, familiarity breeds inattention. We don't often consider that serious or fatal injuries can occur in low speed collisions.

    I have a challenge for you. While it is important for you to be alert and aware, it isn't an easy task. The next time you drive, try concentrating solely on the driving task. Think of nothing else. Then see how far you get before your mind wanders. Many drivers won't even get out of the parking lot! Seasoned drivers don't HAVE to think about driving much. It's something we do automatically, and our minds are free to wander. And our minds WANT to wander. Have you ever driven somewhere and been so lost in thought that you couldn't remember anything about the trip itself? Is this a problem?

    Is this a curable problem? Paying attention can become a habit, but you have to work at it. Make conscious, persistent choices NOT to eat while driving, or whatever you do that takes your attention off where your moving vehicle is pointed. Connect your mind to your eyes and work at consciously analyzing what you see while you drive. We call this "situational awareness." Driving is the most dangerous thing most of us ever do. It deserves your full attention. Mastery of this one habit can almost make you bullet-proof. Not quite, but almost.

  2. Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    3,601
    #2
    Great thread! Situational awareness is key. Minimize distractions at all costs so you can focus on driving. It also pays to have a good driving position so that you are relaxed and not stressed. If you are stressed, your attention wanders.

    Of course it's also good to have the car roadworthy and in tip-top shape to begin with.

  3. Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    636
    #3
    do you wonder why there's no number #2 up to #69? is it to be continued?

    #1 rule is good enough for me to cover everything. nice post, j_avonni.

  4. Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Posts
    9,894
    #4
    where are the other 69?

  5. Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    6,105
    #5
    I humbly request that this thread be made sticky! Thanks :-)

  6. Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    4,313
    #6
    Quote Originally Posted by lolo pepe View Post
    do you wonder why there's no number #2 up to #69? is it to be continued?

    #1 rule is good enough for me to cover everything. nice post, j_avonni.
    As I said in post no. 1, let's discuss them one at a time - para ma-absorb natin deeply.

  7. Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    4,313
    #7
    [SIZE="6"]Rule 2: Don't Trust Nobody!
    [/SIZE]
    We have met the enemy and he is us. You can never rely on what the other driver will do. Think back to all the mistakes you've made while driving over the years. Think ahead to the ones you know you will make in the future. All the other drivers are just like us! Don't trust them! While you are driving, keep a wary eye on the other guy and leave yourself plenty of room. Anticipate the mistakes he might make and be ready for them. Eventually, he will! Because he's just like us! When you are driving on "autopilot," you have turned control of your vehicle over to those other drivers - you are at their mercy. Their fate is your fate.

    If you are too trusting, you are relying on that other driver for your safety. Is he worthy of that trust? Every few seconds, some drivers in this country find out this is a poor bet. Maybe some of those other drivers are returning from a beer festival! Maybe they just lost a job, or worse, a loved one. The other driver might be an 11-year-old who found Dad's keys. Approach driving with the idea that every other driver is an unpredictable menace and out to get you. Most collisions occur when the "other guy" does something we don't expect, or when we do something they don't expect.

    If you accept that everyone makes driving errors, the next step is to drive with a wary attitude. Be careful of approaching red lights, because you know a light by itself never stopped anyone. Watch out for folks getting ready to pull out from parking beside the road. Look for gaps in lines of traffic which might be the result of someone pausing to let another vehicle cross in front of them. (I've personally witnessed three or four collisions in the past ten years that happened just this way). There are others: failure to signal a lane change or turn, or tailgating someone when they are poking along because they need to make a turn—a turn they suddenly WILL make when they see it at the last second. You can think of dozens of others. Be alert to the possibilities and have a strategy in mind for dealing with them.


    Rule 3 - to follow . . .

  8. Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    4,819
    #8
    YOU as a driver have the responsibility not to use that energy to injure or kill others, or damage their property.
    i think this statement says it all...

  9. Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Posts
    1,310
    #9
    very nice thread, sana makumpleto natin

  10. Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    8,837
    #10
    Rule 3: follow Rules 1 and 2 religously tapos na

    seriously, if i have 70 rules to remember while driving, hindi na ako magdadadrive mabangga pa ko.

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70 Rules of Defensive Driving