Why is it so important to be a defensive driver in Florida?
You may not realize it, but you put yourself in danger every time you get behind the wheel of a car. Distracted drivers, impaired drivers, poor road conditions, and adverse weather are just a few of the potential hazards Florida drivers face while out on the roads.
Defensive driving in Florida is about anticipating these dangers and applying safe driving practices to avoid an accident. When we drive defensively, we reduce the chances of accidents while saving time, money, and lives.
Get in the Habit of Defensive Driving
Florida’s roads are getting more crowded every day, so everyone needs to be a defensive driver. Here are a few tips to help you drive more defensively:
- Be alert and free of distraction;
- Obey all traffic rules;
- Control your speed;
- Wear your seatbelt;
- When in doubt, yield the right of way;
- Come to a full stop at a stop sign;
- Check your mirrors and use your indicator lights before changing lanes or passing;
- Don’t run a yellow light; look both ways before proceeding after the light turns green;
- Use your signals;
- Maintain a safe following distance;
- Don’t drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol;
- Check behind your vehicle before reversing;
- Adjust for adverse weather conditions; and
- Keep your vehicle well maintained, regularly checking your tires, windshield wipers, headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and brakes for wear or damage.
Driver Improvement Courses to Make You a More Defensive Driver
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle department provides many different defensive driving courses — known as driver improvement courses — for inexperienced drivers, older drivers, and drivers who have been involved in an accident. In many instances, completing a driver improvement course qualifies a driver for discounted auto insurance rate.
Most courses only take a few hours to complete and some can be taken online. You can find a list of schools here.
Basic and Advanced Driver Improvement Course, Behind the Wheel Training, Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education, Wireless Communications Device Course, Mature Driver Discount Courses are a few of the defensive driving courses recognized by the FLHSMV.
Drivers who have had three accidents within three years or who have been convicted of certain offenses are required to take a court-approved driver improvement course in order to keep their licenses.
Even the Safest Drivers Can Get Injured in an Accident
Even the safest defensive drivers can become involved in an auto accident. Tania Rivas is a top Lutz personal injury attorney who represents drivers and pedestrians injured in auto accidents that resulted from someone else’s negligence.
Florida state law gives you the right to seek compensation for the damages you suffered as a result of your injuries. Attorney Rivas is dedicated to protecting your rights and seeing that you receive all the compensation you deserve for your injuries. If you have been injured in an auto accident in Lutz, Winter Haven, Bartow, Wahneta, Lakeland, Eagle Lake, Jan Phyl Village, or other Central Florida communities contact Rivas Law Group to speak with attorney Tania Rivas about your case.
