Your Driving, the Road, andthe VehicleDefensive 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 1-13.{ CAUTION:Assume that other road users (pedestrians,bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to becareless and make mistakes. Anticipate whatthey might 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{ CAUTION:Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Yourreflexes, perceptions, attentiveness, and judgmentcan be affected by even a small amount of alcohol.You can have a serious — or even fatal — collisionif you drive after drinking. Do not drink and drive orride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride homein a cab; or if you are with a group, designate adriver 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 was drinkingand driving. In recent years, more than 17,000 annualmotor vehicle-related deaths have been associated withthe use of alcohol, with about 250,000 people injured.4-2
