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Safe Driving Tips |
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Whatever kind of car you drive, some basic safety strategies can help keep you
out of harm's way when you're on the road: Find a good driving position.
Position the seat so you can just hang your wrist over the top of the steering
wheel when you extend your arm. Adjust the head restraint so it's directly
behind but no touching your head. Hold the wheel symmetrically, at about 3 and
9 o'clock, so you can steer left or right quickly and precisely.
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Go with the flow. Keep up with traffic if conditions
permit. A wide disparity in speeds is dangerous.
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Avoid cars that drive in formation on the highway so
you're not involved in someone else's accident.
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Keep track of traffic. Look far down the road and keep
your eyes moving to spot any problems before you reach them. Check your mirrors
frequently.
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Think ahead. Keep thinking of possible traffic
emergencies, and plan escape routes.
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Do not hog the right lane. That is a passing lane, not a
"fast" lane. Keep right except when passing. Don't try to block speeders.
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Use the signal lights - Signal lane changes as well as
turns.
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Wait to turn right. When you're stopped in traffic,
waiting to turn right, keep the wheels aimed straight ahead until the way is
clear. If you wait with the wheels cut to the right, someone could hit you from
behind and push you into incoming traffic. |
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Help incoming traffic merge. If you're on the highway,
you can help entering traffic merge safely and smoothly by temporarily moving
over a lane if traffic permits.
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Brake at the right time. Slow down to a safe speed
before you enter a turn. Hard braking in mid-corner can upset the car's
balance.
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Don't use the phone while you drive. A recent study
found that using a car phone while driving quadruples the risk of having an
accident. The risk was the same for "hands-off" phones as it was for phones
people hold to their ear.
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Protect your night vision. Don't stare at approaching
headlights. If you're being blinded, focus on the right shoulder of the road.
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Catch some sleep. Don't drive when you're sleepy. If
your eyes tend to stay focused on one spot, that's a danger sign. Pull over as
soon as you find a safe place and nap for a few minutes.
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