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Texas Defensive Driving Online Facts and Tips:

Defensive Driving Online and the Physical Condition

There are numerous physical conditions of a driver that can contribute to unsafe driving – your responsibility is to prevent or compensate for them until you become a safe defensive driver.

Modern cars are comfortable and entertaining; air conditioning creates a cocoon-like relaxing atmosphere, there are radios and CD players and GPS devices and even TVs to entertain, cruise control limits your need to monitor your speed, there is the temptation to talk on your cell phone, etc. They may make driving more pleasant, but they also tend to let your attention wander away from your driving task and driving defensively. Never sacrifice your dring safety for a momentary diversion – if you can’t multitask then DON’T multitask..Also, most of us have a busy life-style and often do not get enough sleep. This is particularly true for young people. Defensive driving studies have shown they require more sleep than older adults, and that they actually get less sleep than older adults. Before you get on the road for a longer trip be sure you get plenty of rest the night before you leave.

Texas Defensive Driving, Driver Safety and Drowsy Driving

Texas Department of Public Safety web site has a lot to say about ‘Drowsy Driving:’

Falling asleep at the wheel is known as the “silent killer” because it is under reported as the cause of fatal traffic crashes. There is no accurate test to determine the level of sleepiness like there is to determine intoxication and there is little or no police training in identifying drowsiness crash factors.

Defensive Driving tips to prevent a fall-asleep crash

Plan ahead and get plenty of sleep before hitting the road
If you start to feel tired, pull over
If you are not stopping for the night, find a safe, well-lit area and take a 15-20 minute nap.
Being well-rested or stopping when you feel tired are the best defenses against falling asleep at the wheel. Caffeine from coffee or energy drinks can promote short-term alertness, but it takes 30 minutes for it to enter the bloodstream. Blasting a radio, opening a window or other similar tricks to stay awake have not proven to be effective defenses against drowsiness. These will make you a better defensive driver and contribute to traffic safety in Texas.

In a 2002 poll, nearly two in ten drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel in the past year. (National Sleep Foundation)

51 percent of adult drivers feel sleepy while they are driving. (National Sleep Foundation)

Males and young adults ages 18 to 29 are at the highest risk for drowsy driving. (National Sleep Foundation)

Other groups at high risk are shift workers whose sleep is disrupted by working at night or working long or irregular hours and people with untreated sleep apnea syndrome and narcolepsy. (NCSDR/NHTSA joint report “Drowsy Driving & Automobile Crashes”)

In Texas, a reported 256 drivers were involved in fatal wrecks in which fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel was the cause of the crash. Another 4,558 drivers were involved in injury wrecks and a total of 7,711 drivers were involved in property damage wrecks in which they were fatigued or asleep. (2001 DPS Motor Vehicle Traffic Accident Report)

Aging Drivers and Defensive Driving

Yet another physical condition that affects driving skills is how old you are. It is a fact that reflexes, eyesight, and numerous other physical characteristics that are involved in driving simply deteriorate with age.

55 and Older drivers and driver safety

Older drivers need to compensate for these conditions. Slow down, allow greater distance between your car and the one in front, get your eyes checked annually, be sure any medications you take do not cause drowsiness, etc.

The effects of aging on driving skills was addressed recently in Texas. Effective September 1, 2007, the Texas Legislature passed a law, known as Katie’s Law, which requires drivers 85 and older to pass a vision test in order to have a driving license renewed, and that the license will only be valid for two years rather than the standard six years. It also prohibits the renewal of licenses electronically for drivers age 79 and older. This law and others relating to Texas Defensive Driving and Drivers Safety can be found on the TEA (Texas Education Ageny) 's website.

Knowledge of Driving Laws and Driver Safety in Texas

The ability to drive properly and safely requires you to know the rules of the road...and obey them while driving defensively in Texas. If you do not know the driving laws it can reduce your reaction time and reduce the amount of time others have to safely react to your driving maneuvers. Ask yourself these questions while you are driving:

Am I being a Defensive Driver?
How will you and others react on the road?
What rules are you and other drivers supposed to follow?
If you are unable to answer these questions, it is likely you will not know how someone else will.

Texas Comedy Safe Driver 3D Defensive Driving wants you to remember these common driving errors can lead to serious traffic collisions.

Failure to obey traffic laws.
Failure to maintain your vehicle.
Discourtesy to other drivers.
Lack of driving knowledge.
Bad judgment/poor decision making.

Understanding the Driving Task and how it realtes to Defensive Driving in Texas

You should be aware of the factors that effect your ability to be a good defensive driver.

Can you see clearly out your windows? Are your mirrors correctly set? What's the weather like? In other words, are you prepared to drive safely?

Defensive drivers take first things first. Before you go anywhere buckle up. Be sure there is enought gas in your tank before you head out and become a road hazard impairing driver safely. Speaking of road hazards, What's that up ahead? A pedestrian? A blown-out tire? Do you have blind spots where someone or some hazard is located? One of the little known facts about serious injuries and death from vehicles is that many occur right at home and simple defensive driving techniques could have prevented them. The majority of vehicles have little or no visibility right behind the rear bumper. Trajic accidents involving children being backed over apon in driveways are common. Before backing up make sure the coast is clear.

How's the weather? Make sure your tires, wipers, cooling system etc. is up to the task before braving the bad weather. Driving appropiately for the weather conditions is a definite "Do" when driving defensively.

Destrations in a vehicle such as cell phones, pets, smoking and eating can cause you to miss a hazard on the roadway or make a poor decision critical to driving safely.

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