Fifteen Ways to Become a More Defensive Driver

Book excerpt: Anytime you're stopped at a red light, especially when you're the first car in line, it's a dangerous spot. Before crossing the intersection, scan left and right before moving forward because almost all red-light violations occur within two seconds of the light changing. That's just one of the tips in this defensive driving guide written by Joe Fitzgerald, a former law enforcement officer and owner of Southeastern Driver Training Center in Wilmington, North Carolina. Fitzgerald draws from his experience as a traffic crash investigator and driver education instructor to give fifteen defensive driving tips that anyone can use to stay safer. The chapters include areas for making notes, so parents can pass on the book to children with personalized tips. The note fields also make it a great resource for driver education classes. A family driving agreement is included in the back of the book. Whether you're seeking to refresh your driving skills or encourage a new driver in your household to be safe, the fifteen lessons in this guide will help anyone become a more defensive driver.