Your Driving, the Road, and theVehicleDefensive DrivingDefensive driving means “always expect theunexpected.” The first step in driving defensively is towear your safety belt — See Safety Belts: They Are forEveryone on page 2‑12.{ WARNING:Assume that other road users (pedestrians,bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to becareless and make mistakes. Anticipate what theymight do and be ready. In addition:. Allow enough following distance between youand the driver in front of you.. Focus on the task of driving.Driver distraction can cause collisions resulting ininjury or possible death. These simple defensivedriving techniques could save your life.Drunk Driving{ WARNING:Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness, andjudgment can be affected by even a small amountof alcohol. You can have a serious — or evenfatal — collision if you drive after drinking. Do notdrink and drive or ride with a driver who has beendrinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you are with agroup, designate a driver who will not drink.Death and injury associated with drinking and driving isa global tragedy.Alcohol affects four things that anyone needs to drive avehicle: judgment, muscular coordination, vision, andattentiveness.Police records show that almost 40 percent of all motorvehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases,these deaths are the result of someone who wasdrinking and driving. In recent years, more than17,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths havebeen associated with the use of alcohol, with about250,000 people injured.5-2InformationProvidedby:
