Defensive Driving – Traffic School Online

Defensive driving is a trait that is hard to teach to many drivers. Frustration at the behaviors of other drivers or simply wanting to move faster is often an innate aspect of a driver’s personality. However, there are simple ways that you can tone down your aggressiveness and learn how to become a safer, more defensive driver.

Assessing Your Driving Aggressiveness

Sometimes, it’s hard to know whether or not you’re truly an aggressive driver or if you just have a few aggressive driving tendencies. Take the following quiz to assess your aggressiveness. And be honest with each question:

Do you yell at other drivers for driving slowly or for passing you?
Are rude gestures a regular occurrence when another driver misbehaves?
Do you tailgate slow drivers instead of giving them a safe braking distance?
When you see a yellow light do you slow down or hit the gas?
Do you honk your horn when someone is slow to respond to a green light?
Have you ever passed multiple cars in two-lane driving, narrowly missing an accident?
Has your behavior ever caused an accident?

If you answered “yes” to even a few of these questions, you are likely an aggressive driver. Now that you understand that, you can work at eliminating these problematic and dangerous behaviors.

Building Focus and Alertness

Many aggressive driving traits occur because someone isn’t carefully paying attention to the road. As a result, they are surprised when driving conditions change, get afraid, and fly into a “flight or fight” mode, where everyone is an enemy.

Cultivating a sense of focus and alertness not only eliminates those dangerous “fight” moments, but also gives you time to relax in a safe and defensive manner.

As a result, cutting back on driving distraction is a necessity. Eliminate these behaviors to increase your driving focus and alertness:

Talking on the phone
Texting
Changing CDs or radio stations
Reading billboards
Doing makeup or adjusting your mirrors
Looking at passengers

Don’t Consider Other Drivers the “Enemy”

Driving is not a race: you’re not competing with anyone, but yourself. Aggressive drivers treat other cars like “the enemy,” a problematic behavior that endangers everyone’s life. This is particularly true of cyclists: they especially require defensive driving!

Remember: other drivers are just people like you. They are trying to get somewhere safely so they can continue to live their lives. So if someone is passing you (after riding your bumper for 20 miles), just let them go. And if it looks like they’re going to try to cut you off, slow down and let them in the lane.

Are those behaviors infuriating? Absolutely! But that person is not your enemy: they’re probably someone with little patience who is in a big hurry. They’re an aggressive driver, like you.

Don’t compete with them. Just drive defensively: this will help balance out those behaviors and make the road safer for everyone.

Never Rely on the Good Behavior of Other Drivers

Aggressive drivers are often aggressive people used to getting their way. But what happens if you run into another aggressive driver that won’t let you merge? Or who is willing to run a red light just to get an extra 30 seconds closer to home? What happens then?

Accidents happen. That’s why you can never rely on the good (defensive) behaviors of other drivers. However, if you yourself drive defensively, you can at least rely on yourself to prevent accidents.

Does this mean you might get home a little slower? Probably. But it also means you’ll get home.

Remember: becoming a defensive driver is not only safe for you, it’s safer for everybody on the road. And the only way you can become a defensive driver is by committing to these actions and working towards implementing them every time you drive.

So highway patrol caught you speeding on the way home from work yesterday. You tried arguing with the officer a little that the speed really wasn’t posted anywhere and you were only traveling at the speed that felt safest. He still gave you a ticket. You still don’t feel it was rightly deserved and want to try and fight it! What do you do? You go to traffic court! But then, what should you do when you get there to help the case?

Here’s What NOT To Do

Court Room Decorum

When you go to court dress appropriately. Do not wear shorts and a tank top. Take the time to dress in a manner that shows the judge that you are a mature individual who deserves to have the privilege of driving. Wear some nice dress slacks and a button-down shirt. Females may want to dress in a longer skirt and a nice blouse or sweater. Try to keep the attire business casual. Do not chew gum while in the courtroom.

Don’t Talk Over or Interrupt the Judicial Officer

Have respect for the judicial officer hearing your case. Be polite and only talk at the appropriate times. Don’t argue or interrupt. If you can’t be polite and courteous in the traffic court room the judge may not believe that you are capable of being a polite and courteous driver.

Don’t sit in the audience talking.

While other cases are being heard you need to remember to sit in the audience quietly. Be patient. You don’t want to annoy the judge and have an opinion formed about you before it is even your turn.

Turn off your cell phones in the courtroom.

It is important to remember to turn your cell phone off in court. Many courts will actually post signs saying cell phones are not allowed.

Here’s What TO Do

Reach the Code Section you are being charged with.

Make sure that you have all the facts lined up before you set a trial. For most states, you can find the code section online.

Pay attention to other people’s cases being heard.

You’ll generally learn something if you listen to other people’s cases. See what they do to make things better or worse and use it for your own situation accordingly.

If you have an issue with the officer’s behavior, do not make this the only focus.

If your issue is with the officer’s behavior make sure that is not the only focus for your trial. Generally, that is an issue to be taken up with the policy agency. Be sure to mention it as a secondary issue and don’t use it as the entire reason you want the ticket to be dismissed.

Be prepared to spend most of the morning in court.

Don’t expect to get out of there early. Just be patient and wait your turn. You may not present your case properly if you are frustrated and anxious to leave. Also, remember, everyone there is in the same position you are so remember to be courteous.

Additional Advice for Traffic Court:

Legal Counsel: Consider hiring a traffic attorney or at least consulting with one before your court date. They can provide valuable insights into your specific situation and might increase your chances of getting the ticket dismissed or reduced.
- American Bar Association – Finding Legal Help
Gather Evidence: If possible, return to the scene and take photographs, especially if there are no clear speed limit signs. This can be used as evidence to support your claim.
Driving School: Some jurisdictions offer the option to attend a defensive driving course in lieu of paying the fine or getting points on your license. Inquire about this possibility.
Witnesses: If someone was with you at the time of the alleged violation, consider bringing them as a witness. Their testimony might support your case.

Safe driving is taught in driver’s ed classes, but if you’re like most people, this is the only time you’ve been exposed to any intensive education on the subject. This allows the information to fade over time, and in the process, bad habits can develop. Here are a few refresher tips to help you stay safe on the road:

1. Put the Phone Down

This may seem obvious, but according to USA Today, 1 in 4 accidents are caused by using cell phones while driving. Between January and March of last year, a whopping 245,358 car crashes were attributed to cell phone use. Only 5 percent of these accidents were caused by texting, while the other 95 percent were caused by the distraction of talking on the phone. Surprisingly, using a hands-free phone didn’t help. The USA Today report says that a study found that a driver will be just as distracted by talking on the phone if the hands aren’t used.

2. Keep Your Car in Good Shape

Repairs like advanced brake jobs are expensive, and this causes some people to be unmotivated about getting them fixed. Unfortunately, the laws of physics have no concern for a driver’s financial status. If you can’t afford to get safety-related repairs, it’s best to use another form of transportation until you can save up enough to take the car to the mechanic.

3. Go With the Flow

Be aware of the other traffic and try to match its average speed. This helps both you and the traffic around you avoid dangerous swerving maneuvers. You’ll also be less likely to rear-end someone or be rear-ended.

4. Drive Sober

This doesn’t just apply to alcohol! There is a common misconception in some areas that it’s safe to drive while under the influence of marijuana. In reality, a study shows that someone who drives while stoned doubles his or her chance of an accident. The controversy arises because legislators have had a hard time pinning down a hard blood-THC percentage for a legal definition of marijuana intoxication. If you want to be safe, simply don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve had pot and still feel the buzz. The same goes for any other type of drug that doesn’t have a firm legal level of intoxication, such as prescription medications.

5. Make Sure You’re Well-Rested

Driving while fatigued slows your reflexes in a way similar to that of a few drinks. Fatigued drivers can also fall completely to sleep while behind the wheel.

6. Accommodate the Weather

Many people attempt to drive the same way all year round, without regard to rain, snow, or ice. Unfortunately, cars react differently than normal during all of these weather conditions, and this leads to accidents. Being “used to” such weather gives some benefit of practice, but can also lead to overconfidence and wrecks. Therefore, it’s important to always stay alert to how various forms of precipitation affect road performance.

7. Don’t Hurry

If you observe traffic just before and during the rush hours, you’ll see plenty of people zooming out in front of others, speeding, trying to beat red lights, and engaging in other such behavior. Their excuse will be that they’re “in a hurry.” Alas, the requirements of safe driving don’t change because of a hurry. Cars take just as long to stop, people still go on the green, and other drivers don’t miraculously gain the ability to miss you. The best solution is simply to refuse to hurry. If that means you’ll be late, so be it – better to be late and intact than end up in an accident that’ll delay you far more than safe driving ever will.

These are just some tips for avoiding accidents while driving. The final one is simply to drive defensively. A driving style that uses caution and common sense at all times is the best general protection from wrecks.

After more than 50 years of steady increases, driving in America is now on the decline.

According to a study released this spring by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group and a follow up state-by-state study released this August, miles driven per person peaked in 2004 and fell by 7.4% by the end of 2012. We are driving no more miles per person than we did in 1995. Vehicle ownership and driver licensing, other indicators of how much we drive, have also declined.

But the reasons behind the change aren’t yet clear, prompting a media frenzy over the possibilities. Does it mean the end of our national love affair with the automobile and the demise of American car culture? Are we too caught up in digital technology to bother with driving cars anymore? Or are graduated licensing requirements deterring teens from seeking a license?

While no single reason can fully explain the decline, these four factors have been identified as major contributors to the trend.

1. The Recession

When researchers first started to notice the driving decline, many thought that it was a direct result of the recent economic recession, since driving levels have been closely tied to economic activity and employment levels historically.

As shown in the graph below, the decline in driving during four other recent recessions is only a brief interruption of the overall increase in driving seen before and after each recession.

recession driving chart

Image by Joe Cortright at CEOs for Cities, via USA.STREETSBLOG.ORG

But this recession is different. Miles driven per person peaked in 2004, and were already declining by the time the recession hit in 2007. Even though the recession officially ended in 2009 and our population is growing, driving rates continue to decline today. This indicates that the economy may not be the main cause of the decline.

In their state-by-state study, U.S. PIRG researchers expected to find the biggest driving reductions in states hit the hardest during the recession. But the study found virtually no relationship between how much unemployment increased and how much driving declined, again suggesting that the economy is only one of many factors contributing to the decline.

So, where else can we look for answers?

2. High Gas Prices Increasing the Cost of Driving

The average price of gasoline doubled between 2002 and 2011, increasing the cost of driving dramatically.

In the short term, this can cause drivers to postpone car trips in the hopes that gas might be cheaper later on. But as time goes by with no relief, drivers start to make long term changes, reorienting their lives to avoid the expense of driving by using other forms of transportation or moving closer to where they work.

While gas prices are expected to remain high in the future, this may become less important to driving trends as fuel efficiency improves and alternative fuel vehicles become more common.

3. An Aging Population

Americans in their prime career and child-rearing years, usually from about ages 35 to 54, have historically driven the most. The passage of the Baby Boom generation through this peak driving age group helped to fuel the growth of driving.

Older and younger Americans, however, are less likely to drive. As the Baby Boom generation heads toward retirement, the proportion of older Americans, who tend to drive less, is expected to increase dramatically, up from 11% of the population in 1980 to 21% by 2040.

4. Millennials Are Driving Less than Previous Generations

The generation born between 1983 and 2000, commonly referred to as the Millennial generation, will be the largest group in the peak driving age group by 2030. Their preferences are expected to have a huge effect on future transportation trends.

So far, it appears that the Millennials are even less inclined to drive than previous generations. Miles driven by 16 to 34 year olds have decreased more than the decline seen in the general population, with a drop of 23% from 2001 to 2009. The percentage of young Americans with a drivers license peaked in the early 1980s and has been dropping steadily ever since.

Economic factors, such as increased student loan debt and high unemployment among today’s young people, may explain some of the decline. However, even among young people with jobs, driving still fell by 16% from 2001 to 2009.

Some of the decline may stem from a difference in lifestyle preferences between Millennials and older Americans. More Millennials express wanting to live in walkable urban neighborhoods rather than suburbs, and report trying to make a conscious effort to replace driving with alternative forms of transportation. Millennials also rate computers and mobile devices over cars as the most important technology in their lives, and are less likely to express interest in automobiles as a hobby.

Graduated drivers licensing laws, implemented in all 50 states over the past two decades, have also been suggested as a possible reason for the decline. For more information about how the new requirements, costs, and restrictions have affected young drivers, look for our next post over at OnlineDriversEd.com.

What Can We Expect for the Future?

There is still much to learn about the causes behind the driving decrease, but so far it looks like the downward trend may be here to stay. How will the decline affect driving in the United States during the coming decades?

We’ll explore this question in our next post!

As summer winds down and students head back to school, more than half of them will do so in private cars (Safe Routes to School). Since parents driving their children to school generate an estimated 21% of total morning traffic, everyone on the road during this time will be affected, whether or not you’re making a trip to school yourself.

With school buses returning to the roads and many communities seeing more children than ever cycling and walking to school, it’s essential to make sure you know how to drive safely in school zones and around school buses. Plus, knowing and following the laws can save you a bundle – traffic violations committed in school zones often have especially high fines!

Stay Alert in School Zones

Slow Down

When you enter a school zone, make sure to reduce your speed, which allows you to stop in a shorter distance to avoid a collision. (Safe Routes to School).
Slower speeds also dramatically reduce the chance of pedestrian injury or death in the event of a collision. (Safe Routes to School)
School zone speed limits vary, so check with your state’s department of motor vehicles to find out standard speed limits, and always obey the posted speed limit for each school zone you drive through.

Watch for Children

Children are the least predictable pedestrians and the hardest to see. Children may take risks such as darting out into the street without looking for traffic, especially in familiar surroundings like the streets around their home or school.

Keep Crosswalks and Streets Clear

Avoid double parking to drop off children. This blocks visibility for other children and motorists in the area, who may not be able to see cars or pedestrians behind your car. (Safe Routes to School)
Do not block crosswalks or stop with a portion of your vehicle over the crosswalk. This forces pedestrians to walk around the front of your car and closer to moving traffic, or behind your car where they are less visible.

Brush Up on School Bus Laws

Always Stop on an Undivided Road

On an undivided roadway, all 50 states require traffic in both directions to stop when students are entering or exiting a school bus.

Check Your State’s Laws

On divided roadways, all 50 states require traffic behind the school bus to stop, but state laws vary on whether traffic on the opposite side of the divided roadway must stop.
To find out what your state requires, check the AAA Digest of Motor Laws.

Watch for Flashing Lights

State laws also vary as to how drivers must respond to flashing signal lights on a school bus. Some states require that motorists stop whenever any signal lights are flashing, while others distinguish between yellow lights indicating that the bus is preparing to stop, and red lights which signal that children are entering or exiting the bus.
Check your state’s laws in the AAA Digest of Motor Laws.

Illegal Passing

Driving on the sidewalk or passing a school bus on the right to avoid having to stop and wait is illegal and extremely dangerous.
While it can be a pain to get stuck behind a school bus, stopping and waiting until the bus turns its signal lights off is the only safe option.

Get Ready for Heavier Traffic

Be prepared for changes in traffic patterns, and allow extra time to reach your destination.
You can also consider planning your route to avoid school zones and school bus stops during the morning and afternoon.
Be prepared to encounter more students walking and biking to or from schools or bus stops. Take the time to double check for children on sidewalks or in the street, especially at driveways and crosswalks, and review how to safely share the road with cyclists.

As always, avoid using your cell phone while driving and eliminate other distractions in your car so that you can give the task of driving your full attention.

For a visual explanation of how to safely share the road with school buses, check out the National Safety Council’s public service announcements for motorists and for parents helping their kids learn school bus safety.

The beginning of summer is an exciting time for high school students, as they celebrate their accomplishments and kick off summer vacation. But at prom and graduation parties, and during the summer months when teens spend more time unsupervised, many teens put themselves at extreme risk by combining underage drinking with driving, making summer one of the most dangerous times for teen drivers and passengers.

Eight teens between the ages of 16 and 19 die in car accidents each day between Memorial Day and Labor Day, a period known as the 100 Deadliest Days for teens on the road. (Cars.com)

At this time of year in particular, it’s essential for teens to know the dangers of alcohol consumption. Let’s review some basic facts about alcohol, along with strategies for staying out of risky situations and how parents can help teens make smart decisions.

What’s the Danger?

False Perceptions About Alcohol

In a survey sponsored by Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), 23% of teens admitted to having driven under the influence of alcohol or marijuana. (SADD)
- 11% of teens reported driving under the influence during the summer…
- 8% on the Fourth of July…
- 6% on prom night, and…
- 5% to celebrate graduation
Of teens who drove while impaired, nearly 40% believe that alcohol has no impact on or actually improves their driving. (SADD)

Real Risks

In reality, alcohol slows reflexes, decreases coordination, distorts sensory perception, and impairs your ability to focus and make decisions – in short, drinking eliminates your ability to drive safely. (Only the Strong Survive)(Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
4,700 young people between the ages of 15 and 20 die every year as a result of underage drinking. Of those deaths, 32% are traffic fatalities. (MADD)
Teens are the least experienced drivers on the road, and are the most vulnerable to the effects of alcohol. This is why the minimum legal drinking age is 21, and why all 50 states enforce zero tolerance alcohol laws for drivers under 21. There is no safe amount for teens to drink, whether or not they are driving. (Only the Strong Survive)(MADD)

How Do I Stay Safe?

Don’t Drink

The only way to completely avoid the risks that come with alcohol use is to choose not to drink alcohol, and avoid situations where underage drinking is taking place.
It may be tough to say “no” to your friends, but there are plenty of ways to refuse alcohol, and the more you practice these skills the easier it will get. (Only the Strong Survive)
Consider hosting your own drug and alcohol free prom or graduation party! The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a guide to planning substance-free events, such as a graduation night party for your whole class!

Make a Plan

Agree on a plan for prom and graduation celebrations with friends and parents to make sure everyone stays safe. (Only the Strong Survive)
Decide who will be driving to and from your destination in advance.
Bring extra cash to take a cab home in case your safe ride home falls through.
Agree to call your parents or a trusted adult for a ride if you find yourself in a dangerous situation. They may be disappointed, but they’d rather you stay safe!
Driving drunk or getting in a car with a drunk driver is never an option.

Graduated Driver Licensing

Follow your state’s graduated drivers license laws, which are designed to give teens experience driving before introducing hazardous conditions such as nighttime driving and driving with teen passengers. (MADD)
These laws reduce crash risk by 20 to 50%. (NHTSA)

Never Drive Distracted

When meeting up with friends or driving to an unfamiliar location, it might be tough to resist calling for directions or texting your friends for an update, but the distraction makes your reaction times as slow as those of a drunk driver and increases your crash risk dramatically.
Always stop your vehicle in a safe place before using your phone, or ask a passenger to call or text for you.
Don’t hesitate to turn down the music or ask your passengers to quiet down when you need to concentrate!

How Can Parents Help?

Talk About Alcohol

The most important thing parents and caregivers can do is to talk to their children about alcohol. More than 80% of children say parents are the biggest influence in their decisions about drinking. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Talk Early and Often

Start talking to your kids about alcohol early, and keep talking as they get older. Lots of short conversations are more effective than one “big talk.” MADD offers conversation starters for parents, tips to handle tough questions, along with steps to take at home to help your teen stay safe.

Be a Responsible Host

Abide by social host liability laws, which hold adults responsible for underage drinking on property they control, regardless of who provided the alcohol, and even if adults are not present. (MADD)
Private homes are the most common setting for drinking among high schoolers, but supervising teen drinking doesn’t reduce the dangers – parents can’t see everywhere at once, and parties can quickly spiral out of control.

And remember – even though you have made the wise decision to never drink and drive, drunk drivers are still out there, especially during the summer months. Make sure you and your teen know how to spot a drunk driver, and what to do if they (or you) see one!

You’ve had your driver’s license for a while, and you consider yourself well-versed in the rules of the road. However, chances are good you’ve only scratched the surface about what’s going on along the highways and byways. This list of fun facts you didn’t know about the road can keep your eyes sharp the next time you get behind the wheel.

Fact #1: Blue Reflectors Are Fire Hydrant Warnings

How many times have you circled the block to find a parking spot, and just when you think you have one, it turns out to be a hydrant? Well, if you notice the reflectors on the road, you’ll see they change to blue to let you know where the hydrants are. This is more useful for firefighters, but it’s also a fact that regular motorists can benefit from.

Fact #2: Drivers Aren’t Paying For The Roads… Not By A Mile

We all tend to think of fuel taxes as our way of contributing to road upkeep. However, according to Tom Vanderbilt, drivers in the U.S. barely leave the tip. The taxes on gas would have to be raised from 20 cents a gallon to 70 cents a gallon before the people out using the roads paid for their maintenance and upkeep.

Fact #3: The Position of The Sign Tells You Where The Exit Is

Say you’re driving down a four-lane highway, and you know your exit is coming up. You have your eyes peeled, and you’re checking your mirrors to be sure you can slip over to the left or the right once you see it. According to Life Hacker, though, you can relax. Simply look at the position of the exit number on the highway information sign. If the exit number is aligned with the right, the exit will be on the right. If the exit number is aligned with the left, then it will be on the left. Take a breath, and enjoy the drive.

Fact #4: You Could Drive Around The World If America Straightened Its Roads

America is a big country, and with our love of the open road, we haven’t been shy about paving our way from one coast to the other. However, we don’t often stop to think about just how many roads we have. According to Fun Factz, the U.S. has paved enough roads to circle the Earth 150 times.

Fact #5: Stop Signs Have 8 Sides Because It’s A Cheap Option

Stop signs are a common sight in the U.S., and one thing that makes them stand out is their octagonal shape. That, and the bright, fire-engine red color they tend to boast. The reason the government picked an octagon, according to My Five Best, was that it was immediately different from the squares and rectangles used for other signs and that an octagon was one of the cheapest shapes to make. Because, as you’ve no doubt noticed, the government knew there were going to be a lot of stop signs on the roads.

Fact #6: Our Traffic Lights Were Adapted From The Railroads

While the red, green, and yellow lights on our roads are pretty universal the world over, they weren’t created for cars. The idea of signal lights was first used on railroads to prevent train collisions. The idea worked well enough that, once the technology was perfected, the signals were adopted all over the world. The original pattern was red for danger, green for caution, and white to go. However, since white could have been easily missed against a starry sky, green became go, and yellow was put in as the caution light.

Construction Safety

Unfortunately, construction is sometimes unavoidable when you’re behind the wheel, especially during the Spring and Summer months. And while it’s easy to get frustrated when you get stuck in construction, it’s important to understand that construction is necessary to keep our roads safe. Unfortunately, many are hurt and injured in construction zone accidents every day as a result of drivers not following some important construction zone safety tips.

Follow these tips to help improve your safety, and the safety of construction workers, when you are driving through construction zones.

Increase Your Following Distance

Any time you enter a construction zone, it’s important to increase your following distance between other cars. Ideally, you should have between two and three car lengths between you and the car in front of you, which will give you adequate time to stop if you need to. Abrupt stops are common in construction zones, so following any closer than two or three car lengths could easily result in you causing a rear-ending accident. Increase your following distance even more in slick or foggy conditions.

Don’t Assume Workers Aren’t Present

A lot of times, you’ll see signs for a reduced speed limit through a construction zone; in some cases, the posted speed may be even lower if workers are present. Even if you don’t see any obvious construction workers, it’s still imperative that you obey the posted speed limit signs. Never assume that just because you don’t see workers right now, they won’t be working a little way up the road or that the speed limit doesn’t apply.

Not only will speeding in a construction zone put workers at risk, but you could also receive a hefty fine for doing so if you’re caught by police.

Follow Instructions From Flaggers

Sometimes, flaggers will be posted in construction zones (especially in residential areas) to help direct traffic around the work area. Usually, if this is the case, there will be signs posted that read “flagger ahead” or something similar. Make sure you are on the lookout.

Always obey instructions from flaggers, and assume that their instructions overrule any other traffic signs or signals. Their directions might not align with normal traffic patterns, so be prepared. Also, be on the lookout for flaggers’ signals, such as an extended palm indicating that you need to stop. Be sure to also reduce your speed and be especially aware of your surroundings when driving near a work zone with flaggers posted.

Minimize Your Distractions

Distraction-free driving is always important, but this is especially important when you’re driving in a construction zone, where you must be on high alert. When you enter a construction zone or see that one is approaching, turn down (or turn off) your radio, end any cell phone calls, and keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Now is not the time to be fidgeting with your radio dial or checking your Facebook page on your phone.

Merge Promptly at Lane Closures

One of the most common causes of accidents and road rage in construction zones is that of lane closures. When you see a sign posted for an upcoming lane closure, be sure to merge as soon as safely possible. Do not wait until the lane is coming to an end to force your way over into the next lane. This is not only rude to the other drivers who followed the posted signs and merged when they were supposed to, but it can also be dangerous if you cut somebody off or even cause a road rage incident.

Construction zones can be frustrating and dangerous to navigate, but all drivers have a responsibility to keep themselves and other drivers safe while behind the wheel. Be sure to keep these tips in mind the next time you find yourself needing to navigate through a construction or work zone, and consider taking an online traffic course for increased driver safety.

Spring is finally here and with it a whole new set of things to watch out for on the road. From April showers to May flowers, from the bright sun to children on the run, there are a lot of changes the “king of seasons” brings about. Let’s take a look at some of the more prominent changes you may face and some tips for adjusting to them.

Spring Showers

Springtime is a season of warmth and growth, but it’s not without the occasional rainstorm. Be sure to exercise caution during rainy weather. It’s always a good idea to keep your headlights on when driving in the rain, and some states go so far as enforcing such a practice through law. This increases visibility and can help prevent accidents. Also, it’s important to allow yourself ample time to reach your destination. Speeding is bad enough, but doing so in the rain is just plain reckless.

Puddles and Potholes

Also in regards to rain, be wary of puddles of water in or beside the roadway. When you can safely do so, it’s usually best to avoid driving through puddles as the water can damage and degrade different parts of your vehicle. Of course, if there is no safe alternate route, you may need to drive through the puddle. If that is the case, leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles, drive slowly, and use both hands on the steering wheel to avoid losing control.

Heavy rain can also wear down the roads, creating potholes. Just like puddles of water, it’s usually best to try and avoid driving over potholes so long as there is a safe way to do so. If not, exercise the same caution as if it were a puddle: keep away from other vehicles, drive slowly, and maintain control of your vehicle.

With both puddles and potholes, if you come across one that is too big or dangerous to avoid or drive across, your best bet may be to turn around and find an alternate route.

Sun Glare

Winter is in our rear-view mirror and bright, sunny days are ahead. Most of us welcome the sun, but we might not always be the biggest fans of its intense light. Sun glare can temporarily blind drivers and can be a huge risk on the road. Temporary blindness never mixes well with operating motor vehicles.

The best way to avoid those blinding rays is to be prepared. Sunglasses are a convenient way to reduce the intensity of the sun. Some drivers prefer hats or visors to keep their eyes shaded. It’s always a good idea to keep such a hat or sunglasses in your vehicle in case you end up driving against the sun. You can also position the sun visor in your car to block out those pesky rays.

Motorcyclists and Bicyclists

Spring is when most people dust off their bikes and revisit the road. It might take a bit of effort to readjust to sharing the road with so many bicyclists and motorcyclists after a long winter without many, but you must stay alert and attentive for riders on the road. Remember, they have just as much right to be on the road as any other vehicle.

One basic tip for adjusting to such drivers is to keep constant situational awareness on the road. Use all of your mirrors and always look over your shoulder before turning or switching lanes, as well as using your car blinker. If you do get behind a bicyclist on the road and there isn’t a safe way to pass, be patient. It’s better to arrive late to your destination than not arrive at all.

Keep an extra eye out for motorcyclists. Certain states, like California, allow motorcyclists to “lane split,” or ride between lanes of stopped or slower traffic. This is both safe and legal, so long as all drivers do their part and stay alert on the road.

Kids Playing Outside

You’re not only going to see more bike riders on the road during springtime; children will likely be outside more, playing in their yards, on the sidewalk, and possibly even on the street. Be sure to pay extra attention to any children in the area, even if they aren’t on the roadway. If a ball goes bouncing across the street, chances are there will be a child chasing after it. As a driver, it is your responsibility to keep an eye out for such situations and be prepared to stop if needed. Doing so could save a child’s life. Remember to drive safely and slowly in all residential and school areas.

Peak Time for Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions

Spring is also a high-risk time for wildlife-vehicle collisions due to animals migrating and/or mating. Even though Spring isn’t generally as bad as Fall in regards to wildlife-vehicle collisions, it is still considered a peak time due to the increased rates of such accidents. There will usually be signs posted in high-traffic areas that wild animals tend to cross; exercise extreme caution in such areas.

Drive at safe speeds and practice defensive driving techniques. Be especially wary during sunrise and sunset since that’s when larger animals like deer and moose tend to roam around. When driving at night, use your high beams to better illuminate the road, so long as there aren’t vehicles ahead that could be disoriented by the brightness. The extra light can help you spot animals on the road sooner, making it easier and safer for you to properly react. You might also want to use your car horn in multiple short bursts to scare an animal out of the road, but, once again, don’t do this if it could disorient other drivers.

If a collision with an animal seems inevitable, there are a few techniques you could perform to reduce damage to yourself and your vehicle. First, do NOT swerve into another lane of traffic to avoid an animal. This can cause you to hit another vehicle head-on, creating a greater accident than if you hit the animal. Instead, brake firmly and try to graze the animal rather than impacting it directly. Also, let off the brake right as you impact. This will cause your vehicle to lift a bit which might prevent a larger animal from impacting against your windshield.

Refer to this article for a detailed, step-by-step list of how to avoid larger animals on the road.

Allergy Medication

With so many beautiful flowers in bloom, your allergies might be kicking into overtime. Be sure to read the warning labels on any allergy medications you take. Look on the label for any warnings against driving or operating heavy machinery. If your allergy medication causes drowsiness or impairs your vision or hearing, do not drive.

Follow these tips, drive defensively, and enjoy the lovely Spring weather.

Happy driving, everyone!

The Move Over Law has been exercised in most US states for the better part of a decade, yet not every driver knows exactly what the law is or who it protects. Let’s take a look into this important law and determine if it has been implemented in your area.

What is the Move Over Law?

The Move Over Law is a law that protects emergency responders and other personnel working on the side of the road. The extent to whom the law protects differs state by state, but generally, it’s a good idea to always adhere to the same rules for all roadside personnel, emergency responders, or others.

When an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is pulled to the side of the road (i.e. a police vehicle stopping another driver), the law requires you to do one of two things:

If you are safely able to do so, you must change lanes so you are not traveling in the lane closest to the pulled-over vehicle(s), or
If you are unable to safely move over, you must slow down to a reasonable or specific speed limit, depending on local laws.

Each state has its state-specific adjustments to the Move Over Law. It’s important to know what your state’s law is.

Does My State Have a Move-Over Law?

As of 2013, all fifty US states have Move Over Laws in effect. Washington D.C. is the only area in the United States that does not currently enforce Move Over Laws. Since the early 2000s, states have been gradually implementing local laws to protect their emergency responders. The last state to effectively do this was Hawaii, which implemented its Move Over Law in early 2013.

Every state has its adjustments to the law, some extending protection to all pulled-over vehicles while others require drivers to slow down to a specific speed while passing. Refer to this list to check your state-specific adjustments to the Move Over Law.

Just like every state has its local adjustments to the law, every state also has its penalty for breaking the law.

What are My State’s Penalties for Breaking the Move Over Law?

Each state has its penalties for breaking the law. Some state penalties include cash fines, license suspension, jail time, or a combination of all three. You can select the corresponding state on the Move Over America website for a brief description of state-specific penalties, or contact your local DMV for up-to-date information regarding the law. Regardless of what the penalties are, though, it’s still a good idea to always change lanes or slow down for emergency vehicles. Doing so could save lives!

What’s Next for the Move-Over Law?

The Move Over Law is continuing to grow in awareness and is being enforced like any other law. Many drivers who have claimed they weren’t aware of such a law existing have been ordered to attend defensive driving school to be refreshed on new or updated laws. Ignorance is not a proper excuse to break the law. Periodically check with your local DMV to see how the ever-adapting traffic laws are being adjusted to ensure consistent safe travels for everyone.

Happy driving, people!

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