ITEM OF INTEREST                                                                                                                         
 
Defensive Driving
Driving defensively is a great way for motorists to reduce their risks of accident, maintain their vehicles over the long haul and save money on their auto insurance. But driving can be habit-forming, and overtime many drivers develop habits that can compromise their safety on the road. No driver wants to make roads less safe, and many may just need to reacquaint   
themselves with the following defensive techniques they learn way back when the first started driving as teenagers. Below are four reminders.

• Avoid distractions. Older drivers didn't have too many things to distract them from the road, but nowadays it's easy to be distracted. That's because today's vehicles may be equipped with televisions, smartphone hookups and high-quality sound systems that can take drivers' attention away from the road. When getting behind the wheel, keep your stereo speakers low and turnoff all of your devices so you aren't tempted to check emails or text messages while driving.
• Don't be in such a hurry. Perhaps the most effective defensive driving technique is to slow down when on the road. That's easier said than done, especially for commuters who are running late and trying to get to the office on time. If you know you are running late, don't try to compensate by diving fast. Instead, call ahead to let whomever might be waiting for you know that you will be a few minutes late.
• Don't lane hop. 
• frequent switching between lanes can make other drivers nervous, increasing the risk of an accident. In addition, sudden or frequent lane changes can make it difficult for drivers to maintain their focus on the road and see than a few cars ahead of them. Stay in one lane as long as possible, on only pass on the left.
• Don't respond to aggressive drivers. If a fellow driver is driving aggressively, slow down and let him/he pass or pull over and let the person far away from you before you return to the load. Studies have indicated that road rage incidents escalate when drivers make eye contact with one another. Even if you are not at fault, it's up to you to avoid a dangerous situation and protect yourself and your passengers.

Source: Journeys: AAA Magazine (July/August 2015: p. 24)