Are You A Safe Driver

 

Small habits make a huge difference. Look over this checklist (recommended by the State of Kansas DMV) and ask yourself if you really do all of these things.  If you don’t, make a conscious effort to begin doing them.

 

 

When starting your car, do you:

 

• Put on your seat belt and make sure others are buckled?

• Make sure your mirrors and seat are adjusted properly?

• Know where all the controls are located?

 

 

 

 

 

 

When moving forward, do you:

 

• Turn on your signal?

• Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder before pulling into traffic?

• Use both hands on opposite sides of the steering wheel?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When stopping, do you:

• Check traffic all around?

• Stop behind crosswalks and limit lines?

• Stop without keeping your foot on the gas?

When turning, do you:

• Slow down?

• Yield right of way when necessary?

• Begin and end turns in the correct lane?

• Accept legal right of way when safe?

• See and react appropriately to hazards?

When changing lanes, do you:

• Signal and check your mirror?

• Check over your shoulder to see your blind spot?

• Change lanes safely?

• Maintain your speed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When driving on the freeway, do you:

• Check the traffic flow?

• Time your entry onto the freeway?

• Check your mirrors and over your shoulder before merging into traffic?

• Signal early and slow on the exit ramp?

• Adjust your speed to the current road conditions?

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it comes to defensive driving, do you:

• Keep a lookout all around, including way up ahead?

• Check your mirrors before braking?

• Follow at a safe distance?

• Check cross streets before passing?

• Check for signal lights and hand signs?

• Keep a “space cushion” around your car?