You’re driving along and you hit a slick part of the road. The car starts to slide and skid. What do you do?
Well, if you’re like a lot of people, you panic. But here’s what you should do: turn the steering wheel in the direction you’re skidding. The tires then act as a brake, with a larger surface area to grip any firm pavement.
Here are some other defensive driving tips to consider. They may just get you out of a jam in the future.
- Abide the three-second rule. Remember in Driver’s Ed, where that grump gym teacher talked about leaving enough space to count to three seconds between cars moving at the same rate of speed? Yeah, well he was right. Leaving this gap—and even more time in inclement weather—allows you to react better to potential obstacles or sudden stops.
- Limit distractions. Turn off that cellphone, or invest in a hands-free radio system. And for heaven’s sake, stop with the texting.
- Plan an escape. It’s smart to constantly look for ways out of a potential situation; when on a highway, always look for what’s called a “dump lane,” the lane you’ll quickly move into if a sudden accident occurs in front of you.
- Slow down. You know you should. Now do it.
- The mirrors are your friend. Constant scanning of the rearview and side mirrors should be a habit. Applying your makeup in them as you’re driving shouldn’t.
Planning ahead can get you out of many sticky situations. But here’s one thing you can’t anticipate: a car breakdown. That’s why it’s important to get a ForeverCar vehicle service plan. With it, if a breakdown should occur, you’re covered. We take care of everything from getting you a tow truck and rental, to coordinating mechanic services and payment. All for one low monthly fee. Check out your options at www.forevercar.com.
