It used to be that the biggest annoyance we had while we were on the road were drivers who didn’t signal. Today, we are inundated with texters, talkers, eaters and make-up applying dimwits. The car is no longer a means of transportation but a mobile office, bathroom and dining room. With the abundance of road raging, gun toting hotheads on the street, it would behoove you to learn how to become a better driver. Here’s how: 

1. Beware of Everyone Else on the Road
It’s best to get in your car with the assumption that you will be sharing the road with incompetents. If you head out with this assumption, you’ll be more apt to drive defensively. Do you remember when you learned about defensive driving way back when? The skill is as important today as it was then; maybe more important. Because no one else drive’s as well as you do.

2. Practice Your Psychic Skills

The good folks at driver’s ed would call this tip “anticipation”. To be a better driver you must utilize your psychic powers to determine what the other drivers on the road will do in any given situation. For instance, let’s say a car is ahead of you and you see a cute puppy running in someone’s yard. Assume that the puppy will run into the street and the car in front of you will come to a screeching halt. By using your ESP, you will know that this car is going to come to a complete stop in the middle of the road and be able to stop in time.

3. Put a Safe Distance Between You and the Guy Ahead of You

Other drivers on the road will make a game out of waiting until the last possible moment, pulling out in front of you and going five miles under the speed limit. No matter how tempted you are to ride their bumper with your headlights on high beam: don’t. Driving on top of someone’s trunk won’t make them go any faster and you may just be rewarded with an awesome break check.

You should always be able to see the rear tires of the vehicle ahead of you no matter if you are moving or stopped. The actual rule of thumb, however, is one car length for every 10mph you are driving. This means that, if you are driving at 60mph, there should be at least six car lengths in between you and the vehicle ahead of you.

4. Always Wear Your Safety Belt

Studies have shown that most car accident occur within just a few short miles of home. Studies have also shown that Einstein’s behind the wheel are less likely to wear their seat belts when they are making short trips. Seat belts may not be cool but, then, neither is dying. Yes, you can argue that people still die with seat belts on, and you would be right, but far more people are injured or killed in car accidents because they were too lazy to snap a buckle.

5. Know How to React in an Emergency

Accidents are sometimes unavoidable; whether they are caused by you or someone else. How you react in an emergency will dictate how others will react. If you are involved in an accident, keep your head screwed on straight, squash the impulse to punch the at-fault driver in the throat and call 911. Remember that part of being a safe driver is being prepared for any situation.

There is no way around having to share the road with drivers that aren’t as skilled as you. As in all other aspects of life, the only person you can count on is yourself. Drive as safely as you can and, if you do happen to be involved in an accident, contact a personal injury attorney to help you win an outrageous settlement.

Author Eldon Shaw recommends the team of Jones Act Attorneys at Doyle Raizner, a firm that specializes in personal injury and workers’ compensation claims.