The Safe Driver

Risk taking while driving…are you part of the problem or the solution?

Taking calculated risks is something we all do throughout our lives. We do it when we get a mortgage, pay rent, have car payments or anything we put on credit. We take the risk we won’t lose our job or hope that interest rates won’t go up. But, are those all the risks we take? Nope. Each time we drive we take risks. Some people will take higher risks while most others take calculated risks. What do you take?

Each time we drive there is a risk of collision, a possible swerve or hitting the brakes hard. We wear seat belts to ensure we’re safe while riding in the vehicle and modern vehicles are being designed to help protect the occupants more and more each year. The automakers know we’re at a risk of a collision and possible injury…or worse. But how many times do we add to the risk ourselves?

I do think some people may not realize what they’re doing is risky. They just seem to be doing what they normally do, without trying to be aggressive or dangerous on the road. Typical risk taking behind the wheel includes impaired driving, speeding and distracted driving, but there are more risks to consider.

Not knowing where you’re going or specifically not know where to turn adds to the risk of driving. How many times have you slowed down dramatically so you could change lanes or make a turn when you’re not in the proper lane to make that turn? It goes to planning your route where you want to go and getting in the correct lane well in advance.

Instead of making those risky moves, try this instead. Plan ahead to know where you need to go and be in the correct lane at least a couple of blocks before you need to turn. If the traffic is heavy, get into the proper lane as soon as you’re able. Cutting off another vehicle to make a last minute lane change puts you, your passengers and other drivers at risk of a collision. If you miss your turn, go around the block or take the next exit. It would only add a few minutes to your trip.

Following too closely is a huge risk of rear-ending the vehicle ahead of you. I’ve asked licensed drivers for decades what the minimum safe following distance is in the city and they come up with car lengths as the answer. It’s never been car lengths since I was driving and instructing and that’s been more than 40 years. It’s measured in seconds. Drivers may feel they are a normal distance behind another vehicle but if that driver brakes hard, there is a strong chance you will rear-end them. I’m sure most drivers would blame the driver head of them for braking but they must have had a reason. Increase your following distance slightly and you will be able to stop quickly if the need arises.

Trying to rush a left turn across the path of oncoming traffic is a risk. A big risk. You’re trusting the oncoming driver will slow down enough to allow you to get through. What if you misjudged the size of gap? What if the oncoming driver was late to adjust to you? What if the road conditions were a factor affecting if the oncoming driver could respond properly and safely to your actions? Any time you need other drivers to help you complete a driving maneuver, you’re doing something risky.

Cutting off drivers and then braking, making ill-advised turns with traffic quickly gaining you from behind, weaving in and out of traffic attempting to save time on your travels, rolling through stops are all common risks drivers do on a daily basis. If you do any of these, it’s not too late to make a change. If you tend to rely on other drivers to bail you out on a weekly basis because of your driving actions, you’re part of the problem and not part of the solution.