southernbelledriver

Living in one of the largest cities, we are familiar with driving through construction zones. Defensive driving in a construction zone starts with driving at the posted speed. The Texas Department of Transportation reports that the number one cause of death and injury in a construction work zone is speeding.

Construction worker’s only protection from oncoming traffic is a plastic cone or drum. In addition, rocks and other debris that can be kicked up by passing vehicles become even more...

As our days become shorter and our nights longer we spend more time driving at night. You must use extra precautions when you drive at night. You will have less time to stop if a hazard lies ahead. Make sure you can stop within the distance lighted by your headlights.

The law says you must turn your headlights on 30 minutes before sunset and leave them on until 30 minutes after sunrise. You must turn your lights on any time you can't see at least 1000 feet (2.5 city blocks) ahead.

You may have to...

To be a safe driver you must manage the road space around your car. Good drivers keep a safe following distance so they can see well. The more space you allow between your car and the car ahead, the more time you will have to see a hazard down the road and the ability to avoid it. A good space cushion will allow for easier steering and give you a bigger picture of your intended path of travel. Driving in the center of the lane also improves your view of the roadway.

Most rear-end collisions are...

Severe weather can be both terrifying and hazardous for automobile travel. We can all do our small part to make driving in these conditions safer for ourselves and others. When you can't see any farther than 100 feet ahead, you cannot safely drive faster than 30 mph.

When you drive in snowy areas, you can improve traction by using snow tires on the wheels that power your car. You may also use tire chains that are placed over the tire tread to increase traction on snow- or ice-covered roads.

Accel...

Right-of-way rules help people drive safely. These rules go along with courtesy and common sense. Bicycle riders, moped riders, and pedestrians must follow these rules, too.

Keep in mind that the law does not allow anyone the right-of-way. It only states who must yield. Never insist on taking the right-of-way. When a driver is legally required to yield the right-of-way but fails to do so, other drivers are required to stop or yield as necessary for safety. Never insist on taking the right-of-way....

Walking could be the most important mode of transportation.  As the weather cools we will see more people outside enjoying the break from the sweltering heat of summer past. The willingness of drivers to give way to pedestrians is very low. 3% of all the people injured in traffic crashes are pedestrians. We, as drivers, can all take part in reducing pedestrian injuries and fatalities by giving the pedestrian the right of way.

There are several tips for drivers. Pedestrians have the right-of-way...

Many obstacles face the daily driver; one of the most dangerous is driving while flirting. At first this sounds like a hoax, but as more inexperienced drivers become part of the daily traffic this seemingly sweet distraction can be fatal.

Flirting falls under the same category of: texting, eating, putting on make up and any activity that can take attention away from the road. ABC news states that 41 percent of drivers admitted to trying to flirt while on the move, and 15 percent conceded they...