Safe, Healthy, Responsible, Courteous and Defensive DRIVING: Do's and Don't's

Do's:

- Before you drive, you must be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit.

- Know your vehicle before you drive it.

- Plan your route in advance.

- Gather adequate information.

- Check weather forecasts ahead of time.

- Always carry your driver's license, vehicle permit, and insurance when driving a motor vehicle.

- Do a round check before you drive to see if your tires are OK and to check your car or vehicle's outside condition.

- Put on your seat belt and make sure your passengers have put on their seat belts.

- Make sure the child car seat is properly and firmly fitted.

- Get into a position such that you have a clear view of the hood and at least 15 ft in front of the vehicle.

- Adjust your seat in order for your feet to reach the accelerator and brake pedals easily.

- Make sure your windows and mirrors are clean and clear from obstructions or obstacles.

- Adjust and check your mirrors before you drive.

- Know and check your blind spots.

- Keep your headlights clean.

- Turn on headlights at night and in poor conditions like fog, snow, or rain.

- Drive with your vehicle's lighting system turned on at all times so that you're more visible to pedestrians and other drivers.

- Always be alert and be aware of traffic and people around you.

- Keep other drivers out of your blind spot.

- Keep a safe distance or cushion space around your car.

- Have a foreknowledge or anticipate other people's and other drivers' turns and movements.

- Make allowances for other people and other drivers if ever they make mistakes.

- Be polite, courteous and considerate.

- Stay away from erratic drivers.

- Steer smoothly and accurately.

- Use the correct signals and make sure it can be seen clearly.

- Follow the rules for turning left or right.

- Obey the speed limits.

- Obey the police.

- Drive at a safe speed in bad weather, on school zones, hospitals, construction zones, and in heavy traffic.

- Maintain a safe distance such that you can stop safely in an emergency situation.

- Keep a safe braking distance between you and the vehicle ahead.

- Be prepared to safely slow down and stop when fire trucks, police cars, or ambulances approach.

- Be very careful when pedestrians, motorcyles, mopeds and bicycles make sudden turns or moves.

- Whenever possible, keep away from big or large vehicles such as trucks, payloaders, farm machinery, huge trailers, etc.

- Yield the right-of-way.

- Look far ahead for stops, intersections, parked vehicles, etc.

- Be prepared to stop at railway crossings, school crossings, school buses and pedestrian crossovers or crosswalks.

- When backing up, watch for cyclists and be very careful for children especially when they're shorter than the trunk height.

- When passing parked vehicles, watch for people opening doors.

- Stop at a safe distance at streetcar stops.

- When parking facing downhill, turn your front wheels towards the curb.

- When parking facing uphill without a curb, turn your wheels such that your vehicle goes away from traffic in case it rolls.

- If you miss an exit in a highway, take the next exit.

- When having long drives or long trips, stop, rest and take breaks.

- Be careful of using cellphones when driving.

- Eliminate distractions by all means if possible.

- Keep away and protect yourself from glare.

- Slow down when raining or when the road is wet.

- Keep away from puddles.

- Steer in the direction of the skid.

- Be prepared when driving in the winter, bring warm clothing, blanket, flashlight, cellphone, battery, shovel, food, etc.

- Slow down and be careful of icy roads and black ice.

- Pay attention to smog alerts.



Don't's:

- Don't drive when you're sick or injured.

- Don't drive when you've been drinking alcohol.

- Don't drive when you've taken drugs or medication.

- Don't drive when you're tired.

- Don't drive when you're drowsy or sleepy.

- Don't drive when you're upset or angry.

- Don't put anything in your windows that will block your view.

- Don't drive with only one headlight or if improperly aimed.

- Don't overspeed. It is unsafe, dangerous and risky of speeding tickets.

- Don't beat the traffic lights.

- Don't race.

- Don't cut a pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, or any other driver of a vehicle.

- Don't make sudden lane changes.

- Don't change lanes without giving the proper signal and without making sure it can be done safely.

- Don't change lanes in or near an intersection.

- Don't stop in an intersection.

- Don't stop or reverse on the freeway in case you miss an exit.

- Don't stop on the travelled portion of the road.

- Don't overtake in dangerous situations or on unsafe distance.

- Don't pass when you're close to a pedestrian crossing.

- Don't park on a curve.

- Don't park close to a fire hydrant, a public entrance, an intersection, or near a bridge.

- Don't park and leave animals (e.g. pets) inside.

- Don't get into the habit of driving aggresively.

- Don't tailgate.

- Don't get involved in arguments or emotional conversations while driving.

- Don't follow emergency vehicles.

- Don't steer, brake, or accelerate suddenly when driving in snow.

- Don't panic in an emergency. Slow down as safe as you can and stop and ask for help.

- Don't take chances. If you're unsure or in doubt, don't do it.

- Don't forget to pray.