Safe Driving Practices

Safe driving involves more than just knowing the rules of the road. It requires developing good habits, maintaining awareness, and making responsible decisions. This section covers essential safe driving practices that will help you become a defensive driver and avoid accidents.

Defensive Driving Techniques

Defensive driving means being prepared for potential hazards and the actions of other drivers. It involves:

Staying Alert and Focused

Keep your eyes moving, scanning the road ahead, to the sides, and checking mirrors regularly.
Avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, or adjusting controls while driving.
Never drive when fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Be aware of your surroundings and anticipate what might happen.

Planning Ahead

Look 12-15 seconds ahead (about one block in city driving or a quarter-mile on the highway).
Anticipate traffic signals, stops, and potential hazards.
Have an escape route planned in case of emergency.
Adjust your driving for changing conditions.

Making Good Decisions

Drive at appropriate speeds for conditions.
Maintain proper following distance.
Communicate your intentions with signals.
Yield when appropriate, even if you have the right-of-way.
Be patient and avoid aggressive driving behaviors.

Following Distance

Maintaining a safe following distance gives you time to react to sudden stops or emergencies.

The 3-Second Rule

Under normal driving conditions, maintain at least a 3-second following distance:

Watch when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object (sign, pole, overpass).
Count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three."
If you reach the same object before finishing the count, you're following too closely.

Adjusting Following Distance

Increase your following distance to at least:

4 seconds when driving in rain or on wet roads
5-6 seconds when driving in fog, heavy rain, or snow
8-10 seconds when driving on ice
4+ seconds when following motorcycles, as they can stop more quickly
4+ seconds when following large vehicles that block your view ahead

Blind Spots and Mirror Usage

Proper Mirror Adjustment

Inside rearview mirror: Adjust to see directly behind your vehicle.
Driver's side mirror: Adjust so you can just barely see the side of your car.
Passenger's side mirror: Adjust so you can just barely see the side of your car.

Checking Blind Spots

Even with properly adjusted mirrors, all vehicles have blind spots – areas not visible in your mirrors.

Always turn your head to check blind spots before changing lanes or merging.
Be especially aware of blind spots when backing up.
Remember that large vehicles, such as trucks and buses, have larger blind spots.
Never drive in another vehicle's blind spot for an extended period.

Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions

Rain and Wet Roads

Reduce speed by about one-third of the posted limit.
Increase following distance to at least 4 seconds.
Turn on headlights (low beams) to improve visibility.
Avoid sudden movements, hard braking, or quick acceleration.
Be alert for hydroplaning, which can occur at speeds as low as 35 mph on wet roads.
If hydroplaning occurs, ease off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel straight until control is regained.

Fog

Use low beam headlights and fog lights if available (high beams reflect off fog, reducing visibility).
Reduce speed significantly and increase following distance.
Use the right edge of the road or lane markings as a guide.
If fog becomes too dense, pull completely off the road, turn on hazard lights, and wait for conditions to improve.

Snow and Ice

Clear all snow and ice from your vehicle before driving, including windows, lights, and roof.
Reduce speed significantly and increase following distance to 8-10 seconds on icy roads.
Accelerate, brake, and steer smoothly and gradually.
Avoid using cruise control.
Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas, which freeze first.
If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator, steer in the direction you want to go, and avoid slamming on the brakes.

Night Driving

Driving at night presents unique challenges due to reduced visibility.

Night Driving Tips

Ensure all lights are working properly.
Keep windshield and mirrors clean.
Reduce speed and increase following distance.
Use high beams when appropriate, but dim them when approaching or following other vehicles.
Look slightly to the right of oncoming traffic to avoid being blinded by headlights.
If you're drowsy, pull over to a safe location and rest.

Sharing the Road with Other Vehicles

Large Trucks and Buses

Stay out of their blind spots, which are larger than those of passenger vehicles.
Give them plenty of room to maneuver, especially when turning.
Never cut in front of a large vehicle; they require more distance to stop.
When passing, make sure you can see the entire front of the truck in your rearview mirror before returning to the lane.

Motorcycles and Bicycles

Give motorcycles and bicycles a full lane width.
Check blind spots carefully before changing lanes or turning.
Allow at least 3-4 seconds following distance.
Be especially cautious at intersections, where many motorcycle and bicycle crashes occur.
Watch for bicycles when opening car doors or pulling out of parking spaces.

Pedestrians

Always yield to pedestrians, even if they're not in marked crosswalks.
Be especially alert in school zones, residential areas, and near parks or playgrounds.
Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk; they may be stopped for a pedestrian you cannot see.
Take extra care in bad weather or at night when pedestrians are harder to see.

Distracted Driving Prevention

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving. It significantly increases crash risk.

Types of Distractions

Visual: Taking your eyes off the road (looking at GPS, reading texts)
Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel (eating, adjusting controls)
Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving (talking on phone, daydreaming)

Preventing Distracted Driving

Put your phone away or use a hands-free device if absolutely necessary.
Set GPS destinations before starting your trip.
Secure loose items that could roll around while driving.
Eat before or after driving, not while on the road.
Adjust mirrors, seat, climate controls, and music before driving.
If something demands your attention, pull over to a safe location first.

South Carolina's Distracted Driving Laws

South Carolina prohibits texting while driving for all drivers. Violations can result in fines and points on your driving record. Even if using a phone isn't explicitly prohibited in all circumstances, any form of distracted driving that results in unsafe operation can lead to citations for careless driving.

Study Tips for Safe Driving Practices

Practice scanning techniques while riding as a passenger.
Develop the habit of checking mirrors every 5-8 seconds.
Practice the 3-second rule to maintain proper following distance.
Take our Safe Driving Practices Test to test your knowledge.

DMV Practice Test