Defensive Driving
Unfortunately there is little information on the Internet regarding defensive driving techniques. Many of the concepts are common knowledge or intuitive. However, this is a critical skill and many of the ideas will be revisited here. There are plenty of defensive driving courses available.
Tips for Everyone -
- Maintain a speed near the posted speed limit and adjust as traffic and/or road conditions require.
- Limit or stop distractions, such as cell phones, radio, talking to passengers, and playing with equipment in the vehicle.
- Scan road/traffic conditions ten seconds ahead of you periodically.
- Slow down on slick roads, especially if rain has been sparse in your area.
- Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. This distance should increase as your speed does.
- Stay away from aggressive drivers, let them pass.
- Adjust your mirrors and seat settings before you start driving.
- Understand how your vehicle responds to adverse weather conditions.
- Keep your vehicle maintenance current, especially tires.
- Know how to handle emergency situations.
Chasers -
- Always have at least two people, the driver should concentrate on the road. The other person should watch the sky.
- Never park in a roadway, pull as far off the roadway as possible.
- Watch out for other chasers, spotters, police, fire, media in the storm-scale environment. Some of these may be parked in bad spots.
- Never assume someone sees you.
- Hail is ice and as such is slick.
- Be careful of chaser convergence and blocked roadways.
- Avoid damage paths and areas, unless you are qualified to help.
- Know your storm scale features and be careful of events that would make driving hazardous.
- Watch out for hail fog and people stopped on the road.
- Be careful of people that may not know who you are or what you are doing.
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