by P M Mitchell

Created on: May 19, 2008

In such a vast country as the United States Americans depend on their automobiles nearly as much as they depend on staple crops. In fact, most citizens probably view driving as an inalienable right with Constitutional weight. Nevertheless driving also includes responsibilities that Americans don't always perform well. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of car crashes reached an estimated 5.9 million in 2006, while fatalities reached 42,642. Billions of dollars are spent every year on auto accidents usually through insurance claims. These sobering statistics prompt the insurance industry to raise premiums, and those who don't drive carefully will usually foot the bill. Developing good driving skills, therefore, can save money, save lives and help prevent hardship. And knowing how to drive more safely can help achieve those goals.

Among the leading causes of crashes several stand out prominently: driving while impaired, driving too fast or too slow for road conditions, and, more importantly, distractions that interfere with the driver's attention to the road. Driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs or sleepiness, and speeding or driving too slow seem pretty obvious to any reasonably educated driver. Distractions, however, are in fact one of the leading causes of accidents, and the least recognized by the average driver. But eliminating distractions as much as possible can significantly reduce the chances of a collision. Simply stated, shut the cell phone off, lower the volume on the radio, make sure all objects are safely secured and all passengers are securely seated. Not all distractions can be eliminated but the goal is to minimize them and optimize your attention to the road.

With distractions minimized consider integrating some of the practices many safety savvy drivers have observed for years: defensive driving. Survey the road in all directions and pay close attention to what others are doing. Know where your blind spots are, and watch out for vehicles entering those areas. Use your peripheral vision and rear view mirrors frequently to check for potential hazards. Never drive closer than two car lengths behind another vehicle to ensure sufficient braking time. If someone is tailgating, maneuver to a safer location on the road if possible. If not, maintain a large enough distance from the car in front of you to compensate for the tailgater's brake time plus your own. And always compensate for speed. The faster the

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