In 2020, South Carolina saw one traffic collision every 4.3 minutes — a shockingly high number. From distracted to intoxicated drivers to drivers falling asleep at the wheel, there are many causes behind these collisions.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to protect yourself entirely against the threat of an accident since so many factors are out of your hands. It is, however, possible to reduce the risk you face by a significant degree. Following the rules of defensive driving is one way to do that.
These rules of defensive driving work to keep you and others safe on the road by reducing unwanted risks and unexpected outcomes. You increase your chances of safely getting to and from your destinations by learning and following our defensive driving rules. If you are in an accident in South Carolina, contact our Myrtle Beach car accident lawyers to support your claim.
Breaking Down the Rules
When looking into the principles of defensive driving, you’ll notice that they revolve around proactive measures and preparation. Any time you hit the road, you should always give yourself ample preparation time.
So many accidents result from rushing or moving too quickly to react to unexpected dangers, so having a “slow down” mentality before you even get behind the wheel is a ticket to success.
On top of that, you can abide by these rules, which help create distance between yourself and other drivers and give you the time and tools needed to react to sudden dangers.
The 4-second rule
The 4-second rule is a great rule to ensure you leave enough space between your car and the car in front of you, especially in inclement weather. You should keep four seconds of distance between your front bumper and the back bumper of the vehicle ahead of you. You can test this by waiting until the car ahead of you passes by a landmark and then counting the time it takes for your front bumper to pass by the same landmark.
Use correct signaling
Always use your signals. A hugely avoidable cause of crashes comes from drivers making sudden turns or lane merges without warning the drivers around them enough. By using your signals, you’re communicating with other drivers and giving them a heads-up about where you’re going to go and what you’re about to do. However, don’t signal too early, which can cause confusion.
Pass safely
Knowing your blind spots is crucial to defensive driving, as these are your weak points. A good defensive driver will always turn their head to check their blind spots before making any passes or merge attempts.
Only pass on stretches of road where it is legally allowed, and do not speed up to get ahead of another car. Don’t tailgate before passing, either. Maintaining a safe distance is important due to the possibility of sudden roadblocks or other unexpected interferences.
Buckle up
You should always buckle your seatbelt any time you get behind the wheel. In South Carolina, violators may face a small fine for refusing to buckle up. More importantly, statistics show that passengers and drivers who don’t buckle their seatbelts face a higher possibility of bodily injury or fatal injury when involved in a crash.
Follow speed limits
Speeding is a huge factor in crashes. The faster you go, the shorter your window to react to risks. You should always go the speed limit, and remember that speed limits are for ideal weather and road conditions. If it’s raining, you should always drive slower than the posted limit. This applies to any inclement weather conditions, as well as damaged roads.
Know where to look
Defensive drivers should constantly scan the road ahead and frequently look behind them using the rear-view mirror.
You can help ensure your safety on the road by monitoring at least a quarter of a mile ahead of your car or roughly ten seconds of driving time.
Expect the unexpected
Quick reactions are the biggest factor when avoiding crashes. Whether you’re up against drunk or erratic drivers, the force of nature, or animals suddenly sprinting into the road, you should always pay attention and have your guard up and ready to react.
Benefits of Defensive Driving
Defensive driving techniques have notable and undeniable benefits, including:
- Improving your driving skills
- Preventing accidents
- Keeping your insurance premium low
You get to reduce your chance of running afoul of the risks associated with crashes, including expensive hospital stays, the headache of dealing with insurance companies, the loss of a vehicle, the mental and emotional turmoil associated with recovery, and more.
Take a Defensive Driving Course
The truth is that defensive driving courses could benefit any driver. This applies to people of all skill levels, ages, and driving history.
It’ll give you new skills and knowledge that you can use to stay safe on the road in various situations. You’ll be better able to identify risky situations before you get stuck in them, too. You can become a more proactive and attentive driver who’s more attuned to your shortcomings and the biggest sources of danger you’ll run into on the roads.
You should also consider taking a defensive driving course if you have points on your license or a mark on your driving record. In some cases, it’s possible to get a ticket dismissed or have your insurance premium reduced if you attend a defensive driving course.
Don’t Face Accidents Alone — Hire Maguire
You can be as defensive and aware as possible when you are on the road, but accidents still find a way to happen.
After all, the margin of human error that causes most crashes isn’t easy to eliminate. Having a skilled, local car accident lawyer on your side is the best option if you are ever involved in a collision.
This is where the Maguire Law Firm comes in. Our attorneys are here to help you through the difficult process of handling the aftermath of a crash. You deserve fair treatment, and we’re here to make sure you get it. If you’ve been in a crash and want an attorney who will provide you with the support you need, contact our team at the Maguire Law Firm in Myrtle Beach, SC today.