1001 Ways to Drive Defensively

1001 Ways

to Drive Defensively

HONESTO MARCOS

Copyright © 2014 by Honesto Marcos.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014900879

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-4931-5892-8

   Softcover     978-1-4931-5891-1

   eBook           978-1-4931-5893-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 04/16/2014

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Disclaimer

Driver’s Bill of Rights

Introduction

My Mission Statement

Notice to All Readers

A. How-To Ideas

Advantages of Wearing Seat Belts and Having Air Bags

Deadliest Collision Is Between Motor Vehicle and Train

Drowsy Driver is Dangerous Behind the Wheel

Due to Motorcycle’s Limitations and Quick Acceleration

Effects of Driving Under the Influence

How Can I Avoid Hitting Wild Animals?

How Can I Identify a Drunk Driver?

How Can I Improve Gas Mileage in Relation to My Vehicle?

How Can I Lane Change or Pass a Vehicle Safely?

How I Avoid Head-On Collision

How I Check Intersections with Traffic Lights

How I Check My Brake After Driving through Water

How I Drive Defensively on Ice or Snow

How I Drive if I Have a Front-Tire Blowout

How I Drive Safely in the Rain

How I Drive Safely When I’m Near Trucks, Especially Tractor Trailers

How I Jump-Start My Vehicle

How I Rock Out My Vehicle from Snow

How My Driving Habits Help Save Gas

More Ways to Save on Gas

Reasons Why I Check Every Intersection

Safety Procedures I Follow When Fueling

Steps I Do to Pass Safely

Things That Can Affect My Safety When I Pass in the Highway

What Can Compromise My Safety When I Drive at Night

What Can I Do if My Brake Fails?

What Can I Do if My Vehicle Overheats?

What Can I Do if My Accelerator Pedal Gets Stuck?

What Causes Skidding and How to Avoid It

What I Do and How I Check Intersections with Traffic Lights

What I Do if I Have a Front Wheel Going Off the Pavement While Driving on the Right Lane

What Should I Do if I Have a Headlight Failure?

What Should I Do if I’m Involved in an Accident?

Why and What Can I Do to Prepare My Vehicle for Winter Driving?

Why and What Contributes to Good Visibility

B. Principles of Defensive Driving and Accident Avoidance Techniques

As a Defensive Driver, I Promise

Drivers Are Mostly Polite, Only Some Have Bad Attitude

Drivers’ Food for Thought

Examples of Ground Rules Parents Should Have with Teen Drivers

How Can I Be a Defensive Pedestrian?

How Can I Reduce Vehicle Insurance?

How I Apply Traffic Rules and Safety Procedures

How I Avoid Anger and Road Rage When Behind the Wheel

How I Demonstrate and What to Tell My Children about the Way to Cross Streets

How to Pass Driving Road Test

I Must Emulate Some Behaviors of a Soldier in Operation

Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Precautions from NHTSA

Safety and Statistics Every Driver Should Know

Since Drivers Are Humans and Can Make Mistakes

Some Behave Like Toxic Truck Drivers Looking Where to Empty Their Load

Sometimes There Are Two Kinds of Drivers (The Person at the Wheel and the So-Called Backseat Driver)

The Basic Parking Rules that I Follow

The Consequences of Traffic Accidents

The Following Situations Can Start an Accident or Road Rage

The Law of Attraction in Driving

Things I Know and Believe about Safe Driving

To Be a Defensive and Safe Driver

To Be a Part of the Solution and for the Safety of Road Users

What Do I Need to Be a Safe and Responsible Driver?

What I Do if I’m in the Market for a New or Used Vehicle

What I Do if There’s an Emergency Vehicle with Siren and Flashing Lights On

What I Have Learned about Mobile Phone Use While Driving

What Must I Do Before Any Maneuver?

Why I Learn Defensive Driving and Accident Avoidance Techniques

1001 Ways to Drive Defensively (Illustrated Situations)

Author’s Biography

DEDICATION

For inspiring and motivating me while the manuscript was prepared

To

Daughters—Dr. Karen Marcos, Rachelle, and Jessica—their husbands, my nine grandchildren, my wife Aurora, and Mom and Dad, who are now with the Lord.

Police and insurance company that compelled me to take defensive driving and accident avoidance techniques after traffic tickets, where I learned that without knowledge of it, I would be playing with my health and life.

MVO personnel that helped me secure my instructor’s and driver’s examiner licenses.

Driving instructors that helped me become one of them and school owner for the opportunity to be their instructor till I had my own school.

My students—I owe them for they motivated me to grow with them and gave me the chance to practice the defensive techniques that I am now trying to share.

Motor vehicle victims, we remember.

DISCLAIMER

The defensive driving and accident avoidance techniques presented herein have not been evaluated by any governmental body in charge of legislating and promulgating traffic laws and regulations. The ideas, suggestions, and techniques offered here were the products of my many years of driving experience as a driving school operator, driving instructor, and examiner.

I make no warranty, expressed or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information techniques disclosed or represented here that when used will prevent an accident.

Situations, conditions, and skills of the driver, pedestrians’ behaviors, and other challenges can’t be predicted. Having the knowledge and proper application of defensive driving and accident avoidance techniques can help lessen the severity or even eliminate accidents and thus make driving safer and more enjoyable.

Again, the suggestions and recommendations in this book are guidelines only; the author can’t possibly cover all possible driving scenarios, let alone everybody’s driving ability. Remember, there are many variables involved whenever we are behind the wheel.

Here are some:

1.   The driver’s age, physical condition, experience, and emotion.

2.   The weather, road condition, local custom, and tradition.

3.   The time of the day, volume of traffic, and pedestrians using the road.

4.   The type of vehicle or condition of the vehicle one drives.

The defensive driving techniques presented in this book are general guidelines only but should help improve one’s driving skill. Make notes, take, and pick what you think will help you improve your ability to apply defensive driving and accident avoidance techniques as you go through this book from cover to cover.

All drivers—young or old, male or female—can benefit from reading and applying the different ideas presented in this book. To instill in everyone the advantages of being a defensive, courteous, and helpful driver, all members of the family should read this book.

This book does not replace your local, provincial, state, or country’s operator’s manual. The author, the editor, and the publisher advise the reader to check first their driver’s manual for comparison and adjustment before one undertakes any of the defensive techniques to conform to local laws and regulations.

To all, have a happy and safe driving.

DRIVER’S BILL OF RIGHTS

1.   That every driver has a right to know that he or she has to be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to drive.

2.   That every driver has a right to drive a vehicle suited for the task that is mechanically safe.

3.   That every driver has a right to be prepared by knowing ahead the condition of road, weather, and traffic to have a happy and safe driving experience.

4.   That every driver has a right to know that without learning defensive driving and accident avoidance techniques, life routines and situations can change, pride can be lost, and/or responsibilities cannot be delivered to loved ones.

5.   That every driver has a right to know that defensive driving is like taking life insurance; it serves as protection and an equalizer when confronted by other drivers’ mistakes or conditions.

6.   That every driver has a right to know that everything good can come to an early end if one is not knowledgeable in defensive driving.

7.   That every driver has a right to be helped, given the benefit of the doubt, and not put down regardless of the mistake and who has the right of way.

8.   That every driver has a right not to go through life blaming others but must be prepared and not waste time learning defensive driving that provides the knowledge to help prevent a lifetime of regret.

9.   That every driver has a right to know that even with all the money in the world, if in an accident, whether or not it is his or her fault, one can’t buy back the health they used to have.

10.   That every driver has a right to know that a designated driver is a necessity if he is tired, intoxicated, has taken a substance that can impair driving, is sick, and/or is emotionally unstable.

11.   That every driver has a right to know that sooner or later, the delay of learning defensive driving will be paid.

INTRODUCTION

I wrote this book, 1001 Ways to Drive Defensively, to add knowledge to new or experienced drivers on how to help avoid and prevent accidents, regardless of who is at fault. The techniques were the results of my many years of driving experience, years as a driving instructor, and years as a driver examiner.

Please remember that things never stay the same or are the end of itself. The contents, ideas, defensive techniques might not be applicable in your area. Take and apply what you think will help based on your individual preference.

This book is just to enrich one’s knowledge on defensive techniques. I tried to make it as current as much as possible; however, laws and regulations do change. Remember, the only thing constant in life is change. Also, there are numerous variables involved whenever accidents happen. They are the following:

Although the result can vary when applying defensive driving techniques, it should lessen the severity if involved in a collision. Drivers should not downplay the advantages of knowing defensive driving although not the end in itself as it can be improved.

The defensive techniques are not engraved in stone as health and emotions do change. I can honestly say that the smartest investment one can ever make during their lifetime is having this book to learn more about driving defensively. Why, you ask? Because no amount of money can replace

1.   life as a result of a traffic accident or

2.   health if injured that impairs, which necessitates a wheelchair for mobility.

Every driver should spend time to read this book, 1001 Ways to Drive Defensively. Read it frequently to refresh your defensive driving and accident avoidance techniques to

1.   enjoy driving more through less stress and avoid road rage;

2.   lessen the destruction of property, loss of life, and physical injury; and

3.   avoid unnecessary time in court related to