Prepare Yourself For Dangerous Traffic
How to Drive safely in dangerous situations, especially in areas that are known to have bad traffic situations and poor driving stereotypes. These instructions are supplemental to any instructions already given by authorized state instructors. These are a compilation of tips from a daily commuter who experienced the worst of the worst traffic imaginable.
Steps
- Mentally prepare yourself for the experience. Think of happy calm thoughts or put on calming music.
- Avoid being alone while traveling into dangerous areas; bring friends or family for moral and mental support.
- Seat Belts are a MUST. Many automotive-related deaths can be avoided with the use of a seat belt.
- Employ your passengers' eyes and keep them vigilant of road and traffic conditions. Inform your passengers that they should be prepared for the trip and buckle up as well as assist your driving with their eyes and ears.
- Prepare for inclement weather and bring flood gear.
- When entering the dangerous traffic area, prepare to look at all your mirrors, watch your blind spots, avoid other driver's blind spots, and be prepared to stop abruptly. Prevention is best: maintaining a safe distance and being aware of the road far ahead is much better than stopping abruptly.
- Use your mirrors frequently. Always have your left rear view mirror adjusted to view your blind spot rather than the road behind. (The car in your blind spot is more likely to cause you an accident than one behind you.)
- Avoid the urge to be a vigilante ("Oh yeah? Let me show you what it's like to be cut off like that!") Accept the fact that someone is always going to think they're in more of a hurry than you. These are the drivers you want to move far away from, not to 'teach them a lesson.'
- When the road narrows to fewer lanes, zipper merging (alternating cars from each lane) will be the best way to overcome the situation.[1] Remember the rules of right of way, but do not repeatedly give in to other vehicles that attempt to push you out of the way, or others will take notice and exploit you for position.
- When leaving the highway or turning on any road, make sure to look in every direction and avoid red light runners and merge lane hogs.
- When you arrive at your destination, attend to your passengers, check how they are doing. Double check the vehicle that everything is intact and there is no damage, such as stone chips, tire tread hits, or anything else that might affect proper operation of the vehicle.
Tips
- Proper Insurance Coverage
- Purchase a vehicle with as many airbags as physically possible. In the event of accident, this will greatly reduce injuries and fatalities.
- RIGHT LANE for driving. LEFT LANE for passing (vise-versa in countries that drive on the left).
- Radar detectors will help to prevent you from receiving a ticket while speeding (see warning)
Warnings
- Inexperienced drivers should not drive into dangerous traffic situations, or at least not without supervision of and experienced driver.
- Do not attempt to confront anyone who has cut you off, caused an accident, slowed down traffic for no reason, or is attempting to confront you. Road Rage is not the answer.
- Don't speed unless you want a ticket, regardless of whether have a radar detector or not. Speeding is dangerous and makes bad situations worse.
Things You'll Need
- Valentine 1 Radar Detector or Escort Passport x50
- Blinder M20
