Unless you live under a rock, which I know you don’t, you know that it’s been BRICK here in Upstate New York the last few days. Well, I guess even if you did live under a rock you’d still know that it has been a bit freezing. While you’re shaking from these frigid temps, your vehicle is doing the same. Perhaps it isn’t “actually” shaking but you know what I mean! With those bone-chilling temps, we sometimes forget how to be a good and courteous driver to our fellow motorists. This week, I am dishing all of the deets on defensive driving and helping you be a better driver no matter if it is -5 and snowing or 85 and sunny. Check out our guide below and stop in to see our team to upgrade into a new CJDR to reward yourself for being such a great driver!

• Anticipate that other drivers are going to make mistakes on the roadway.
• Always be in control of your vehicle and keep your focus on the road. Don’t let cell phones, the radio, friends, or a heated argument distract you from being a safe driver. This can and will lead to dangerous collisions.
• Slow down and take your time on the road, especially in winter weather conditions. Stay with the flow of traffic, but be mindful of speed limits and other drivers coming to a stop.
• Click it or get a ticket. Don’t risk your life because you’re not a fan of seatbelts. Always wear one no matter how long or short the duration of your trip might be!
• Play it safe and yield when you’re not sure what another driver intends to do. Even if you are the one with the right of way, give the other driver the benefit of the doubt and let them pass first to avoid a collision.
• Watch for stop lights and stop signs. Distractions will occur, but driving through a red light or a stop sign can lead to potentially tragic collisions.
• Use your blinkers. Always, no matter what or even if you’re the only vehicle on the road. Driving isn’t a guessing game, don’t make other drivers guess where you’re going to make a turn or if you even are. Use your blinkers and hope other drivers will have the same driving courtesy as you.
• Take a deep breath and don’t let road rage creep up on you and negatively affect you. People make mistakes on the road and it is our job to let those mistakes go, proceed to our destination, and be safe while doing so.
• When purchasing a new vehicle, always choose a vehicle with a high safety rating to ensure that every drive will be a safe one from start to finish. If you’re not sure where to find safety ratings, just ask our team and we will be happy to help!
• Always leave a little extra space between you and vehicles you are following, especially in the winter months when road conditions can be a bit slippery. Most collisions happen when a driver is too close and another stops too quick. Give your fellow motorists some room to work with and help prevent those collisions from happening in the first place!