Being a safe driver keeps you and other drivers on the road safe. The more people that are safe drivers and follow our driving lessons, the less accidents that will occur.
Defensive Driving from a Milwaukee Speeding Ticket Lawyer
The following lessons fall under defensive driving, which is the practice of anticipating dangerous situations and being proactive instead of reactive.
Lesson 1: Look Ahead
Drivers need to be prepared for what’s ahead of them on the road. You should see if traffic is slowing down, there’s a crosswalk with pedestrians, changes in traffic flow, or changes in the speed limit before it becomes a problem. Looking ahead gives you more time to prepare for any necessary changes, such as getting in a different lane or preparing to stop.
Lesson 2: Look Around
Drivers should be checking their mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds and changing their point of focus in front of them every 2 to 3 seconds. The information needed to prevent accidents isn’t just ahead of them, but all around. It is important to stay alert and continually change your point of focus to ensure a faster reaction time, that you don’t zone out, and that you have a thorough understanding of everything going on around you: left, right, behind, and in front.
Lesson 3: Leave Room
Now that you have seen the risks by looking ahead and looking around, it is important to act on this information by leaving room. Leaving room allows you extra time to react and avoid collisions. You should be leaving room behind, to the left, to the right, and most importantly, in front of you. Following distance changes depending on the speed, conditions, and type of vehicle you are operating. However, a good rule of thumb for light-duty vehicles such as cars, light trucks, and vans is 3 seconds in normal and dry conditions. If there are low-visibility conditions, for example it is raining or at night, you will want to increase the following distance. If you are a semi-truck driver or drive heavy-duty machinery, you will want to maintain a greater following distance as it is more difficult to stop.
Lesson 4: Communicate
Looking ahead, looking around, and leaving room is how you read and react to your surroundings, and communicating allows you to aid other drivers in understanding their surroundings as well. You should communicate using your turn signals, headlights, four-way flashes, and taillights when driving. Headlights allow other drivers to see you at night or in low visibility conditions. Turn signals display your next move: changing lanes or turning at an intersection. Taillights/brake lights communicate to other drivers that you are stopping. Overall, communicating creates a safer environment on the road for everyone involved.
Hire a Speeding Ticket Lawyer in Milwaukee
Following these lessons and being a defensive driver can help you and others stay safe on the road. If you have made mistakes in the past and have received a speeding ticket or other traffic ticket, it is essential to hire a speeding ticket lawyer in Milwaukee. Konstantakis Law Office will guide you in the process and ensure that you maintain your driving privileges.
