You've seen the statistics. There is a high probability that each one of us will be involved in a traffic accident. To better protect ourselves from the reckless behavior of other people, here are some key defensive driving tips from Bob Schaller and Road Trip America:

(1) 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. Paying attention makes it possible for you to recognize and avoid the hazards lurking on the road. The primary attribute necessary for a safe driver is alertness, and paying attention is the most important driving task.

(2) Don't trust anyone. 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! Leave yourself plenty of room. Anticipate mistakes and be ready for them.

(3) Yield Anyway! "Nobody ever yielded their way into a collision." Think about it. If you are in doubt about who has the right of way, give it away. The other guy may be wrong, but you can end up hurt or dead. When it comes to driving safely, it's not the principle, but the outcome, that counts.

(4) Don't Speed. Driving at a higher than reasonable speed increases your risk in two ways: it cuts your reaction time and results in more "stored" energy (that must be dissipated in any collision). You should consider if the risks are worth the gain. This is the science of math and physics-you cannot bend these rules. Each incremental increase in speed reduces your ability to react in time to hazards, because you may be covering Tips on Defensive Driving distance in less time than it takes to react. Normal reaction time is between .75 seconds and 1.5 seconds, on average. Average reaction time distance at 50 mph would be approximately 83 feet. At 70 mph, it is over 115 feet (over 7 car lengths). These numbers do not include braking distance, just reaction time. The average difference in reaction time distance from 50 mph to 70 mph is about 32 feet. This is particularly important at night, when darkness restricts your visibility.

(5) Don't Drive Impaired. Applied to driving, impairment means there is a factor present that decreases your ability to operate your vehicle safely. The first thing that comes to most folks' minds is impairment through alcohol or other drugs.There are others as well: impairment through fatigue, or as a result of disabling injuries or illness. There was a case a few years ago where a man attempted to drive with some broken limbs. He used a tick to operate the gas pedal, and ended up losing control, overran a sidewalk, and killed a person who was using a pay phone.

Alcohol is a prime cause of impairment. Since it acts as a depressant, it begins to diminish a person's abilities with the first sip. Many people do not realize that even at very low blood alcohol levels, way before reaching any legal limit," impairment of physical and mental abilities is occurring. In the USA, all states now have a .08% presumptive level. If impairment causes your reaction time to double, for example, at 70 mph that can result in an additional 103 feet traveled.