Best Practice: Trip Planning

Introduction

A good way to reduce collision risk and decrease stress before a trip is to plan your trip. Although alternate forms of transportation, such as walking, cycling, and ridesharing, can decrease your carbon footprint and eliminate the stress caused by driving, sometimes driving is the most appropriate way to reach your destination, especially if you know how to best prepare for a trip.

Before your drive, adjust your mindset and remember your defensive driving best practices. Know that you will need to scan the road ahead and aim for slow, smooth, and steady maneuvers. Establish a following distance of at least two to three seconds, or more if traction or visibility is reduced, and never exceed the speed limit. Eliminate distractions and always expect the unexpected.