Almost all drivers consider themselves good drivers.  But even the best drivers make mistakes now and then. Equipment fails, weather conditions may be bad, and you may encounter drivers who ignore traffic laws or drive unpredictably. To avoid making mistakes yourself, or being involved in a traffic crash because of someone else's mistake, learn to drive defensively. The best way is to take the defensive driving course, approved by the state of New York.  The defensive driving rules are simple:
Be prepared and look ahead always.

 

 

                                         


Maintain the proper speed.


Signal before turning or changing lanes. This is the most frequent complaint expressed by students who take the defensive driving class.


Allow yourself space. Keep your distance.


Wear your seat belt. Whether in the front or back seat.


Do not drive if you are very tired, are on medication or have been drinking alcoholic beverages.


Keep your vehicle in good operating condition.



BE PREPARED AND LOOK AHEAD
You should sit comfortably, but upright, and keep both hands on the steering wheel. Slumping in the driver's seat, or steering with one hand makes it harder to control your vehicle, and your "relaxed" position can lead to a dangerously relaxed attitude toward driving.

Traffic conditions change constantly. You cannot afford to let your attention wander from what is going on around you. Always scan the road ahead. Do not use the road or even the vehicle directly ahead as your only focal point. Look ahead so you can avoid, or lessen, potential problems.

Keep your eyes moving, notice what's happening at the sides of the road, and check behind you through your mirrors every few seconds.

Anticipate mistakes by other drivers and think about what you will do if a mistake does happen. Do not always assume that a driver approaching a STOP or YIELD sign on a side road is actually going to stop or yield. It is better to assume the other driver may not stop. Be ready to react.

Watch for the rotation and angle of the wheels on a car approaching on a side road. The speed of rotation and angle of the front wheels give you clues to whether the driver is slowing to stop or planning to turn in a certain direction. If the rotation does not seem to be slowing as the driver approaches a required stop, you should pad your brake and prepare to stop, and lightly tap your horn to get the driver's attention. If the angle of the front wheels does not match the direction of the driver's turn signal, be prepared to react to an improper turn, or no turn. The earlier and deeper you look into upcoming cross streets, the more time and space you give yourself to react. copyright 1991 Lynn S. Fuchs

14001	Akron
14004	Alden
14006	Angola
14025	Boston
14026	Bowmansville
14030	Chaffee
14031	Clarence
14032	Clarence Center
14033	Colden
14034	Collins
14043	Depew
14047	Derby
14051	East Amherst
14052	East Aurora
14055	East Concord
14057	Eden
14059	Elma
14068	Getzville
14069	Glenwood
14072	Grand Island
14075	Hamburg
14080	Holland
14085	Lake View
14086	Lancaster
14091	Lawtons
14102	Marilla
14111	North Collins
14127	Orchard Park
14134	Sardinia
14139	South Wales
14141	Springville
14150	Tonawanda
14170	West Falls
14201	Buffalo
14202	Buffalo
14203	Buffalo
14204	Buffalo
14206	Buffalo
14207	Buffalo
14208	Buffalo
14209	Buffalo
14210	Buffalo
14211	Buffalo
14212	Buffalo
14213	Buffalo
14214	Buffalo
14215	Buffalo
14216	Buffalo
14217	Buffalo
14218	Buffalo
14219	Buffalo
14220	Buffalo
14221	Buffalo
14222	Buffalo
14223	Buffalo
14224	Buffalo
14225	Buffalo
14226	Buffalo
14227	Buffalo
14228	Buffalo
14280	Buffalo

AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS AND ROAD RAGE
Aggressive driving includes speeding, which often leads to following too closely, frequent or abrupt lane changes without signaling, passing on the shoulder or unpaved portions of the roadway, or harassing motorists who just happen to not get out of the way. Aggressive drivers also may run stop signs and red lights, pass stopped school buses, fail to keep right, drive while impaired by alcohol or drugs, and drive recklessly. A few threaten, or attempt to cause, physical damage to another driver. And that is how aggressive driving becomes road rage.

To prevent aggressive driving from developing into road rage, it is sometimes better to not make eye contact with another driver, especially where conflict can occur - the other driver may interpret eye contact as a "challenge."

When confronted by an aggressive driver:
Avoid eye contact.
{Sign up for class here. }

Stay calm and relaxed.


Make every attempt to get out of the way safely. Do not escalate the situation.


Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge an aggressive driver by speeding up or attempting to hold your position in your travel lane.


Wear a seat belt and encourage your passengers to do the same.


Ignore harassing gestures and name calling, and do not return them.


Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate law enforcement authorities by providing a vehicle description, location, license plate number, and direction of travel.


If you are being followed by an aggressive or threatening driver, do not stop or get out of your vehicle. Drive directly to the nearest police station.


If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash, stop a safe distance from the crash scene. When the police arrive, report the driving behavior you witnessed.


To avoid becoming an aggressive driver:
Allow enough travel time to reach your destination on schedule.


Alter your schedule to avoid driving during peak highway congestion periods.


If you're running late, call ahead so you can relax.


Do not drive when you are angry, upset or overly tired.


Make your vehicle comfortable. Listen to relaxing music and avoid situations that raise your anxiety.


When driving, relax and remain aware of your posture. Sit back in your seat, loosen your grip on the steering wheel and do not clench your teeth.


Give others the benefit of the doubt; be polite, courteous and forgiving.


You can control your own reactions to other drivers. If someone else drives aggressively, do not retaliate.
If you have the right-of-way, do not think of it as an absolute right. Be prepared to give up the right-of-way to avoid a crash or prevent confusion. Waiting a few seconds for another driver is far better than risking a crash. Knowing you were "in the right" will not make up for the expense or pain of a collision.




ROAD RAGE
What is "road rage"? Road rage is an emotional state of anger or hostility, which escalates into violent criminal acts, or threats or attempts of violent acts, that result from the operation of a motor vehicle. Road rage may include provocative behavior intended to intimidate or harass others or instill fear in them.

Aggressive driving is not road rage. However, aggressive driving can escalate into road rage. Aggressive driving generally involves the violation of a traffic safety law, while road rage generally involves the breaking of a criminal law.

Who can become road raged? It could happen to any of us when our irritation or anger with others leads us to drive, or behave outside, our vehicle in an unsafe or hostile manner. We become a threat to ourselves, and to the safety and lives of others on and near the road or highways. Reckless endangerment, threats of violence, assault, and other violent actions are illegal. They can result in severe penalties that include fines, imprisonment and court-ordered probation, as well as revocation and suspension of driver license.

Road rage can include:
Verbal provocations, such as yelling, cursing, excessive horn honking, rude or obscene gestures and threats.


Driving actions, such as cutting off another vehicle, extremely close tailgating, blocking another vehicle from using a traffic lane, pursuing or chasing another vehicle, or running it off the road, deliberate ramming or bumping of another vehicle.


Stopping a vehicle at the side of the road, and getting out of it to threaten, frighten, attack, fight or hurt another motorist or passenger, or a pedestrian, cyclist, or other person.
Recent research indicates that being in a state of rage can affect your blood pressure, and your ability to reason and make decisions. As a driver, you will make more driving errors. You will increase your chances of causing or being involved in a traffic crash.

Aggressive driving and road rage leads to revoked or suspended driver licenses, difficulties between family members and friends, loss of employment, and significant legal problems.

Many drivers do not recognize when their own aggressive driving, and their own road rage, is affecting their ability to drive safely. State law requires every DMV-approved accident prevention course to address the hazards and dangers of road rage, and how to prevent it from occurring.

11001	Floral Park
11003	Elmont
11010	Franklin Square
11020	Great Neck
11021	Great Neck
11023	Great Neck
11024	Great Neck
11030	Manhasset
11040	New Hyde Park
11042	New Hyde Park
11050	Port Washington
11096	Inwood
11501	Mineola
11507	Albertson
11509	Atlantic Beach
11510	Baldwin
11514	Carle Place
11516	Cedarhurst
11518	East Rockaway
11520	Freeport
11530	Garden City
11542	Glen Cove
11545	Glen Head
11548	Greenvale
11550	Hempstead
11552	West Hempstead
11553	Uniondale
11554	East Meadow
11556	Uniondale
11557	Hewlett
11558	Island Park
11559	Lawrence
11560	Locust Valley
11561	Long Beach
11563	Lynbrook
11565	Malverne
11566	Merrick
11568	Old Westbury
11570	Rockville Centre
11572	Oceanside
11575	Roosevelt
11576	Roslyn
11577	Roslyn Heights
11579	Sea Cliff
11580	Valley Stream
11581	Valley Stream
11590	Westbury
11596	Williston Park
11598	Woodmere
11599	Garden City
11709	Bayville
11710	Bellmore
11714	Bethpage
11732	East Norwich
11735	Farmingdale
11753	Jericho
11756	Levittown
11758	Massapequa
11762	Massapequa Park
11765	Mill Neck
11771	Oyster Bay
11783	Seaford
11791	Syosset
11793	Wantagh
11797	Woodbury
11801	Hicksville
11803	Plainview
11804	Old Bethpage

 DRINKING AND DRIVING