Defensive Driving
Let’s cover 2 situations: 1. Avoid, 2. Evade.
Please add your tips or suggested changes for this. If you disagree with an item, voice your opinion and suggest a better method, or suggest it isn’t valid.
Let’s keep it on methods of avoidance or evasion, no use of firearms involved (keep that for another thread).
Please put all items into a “bulleted” format. Each specific action by itself. As follows:
These are what I had lined up to post.
Soupie & Grey, I believe I might be duplicating some of your items in here. Well, great minds run alike.
AVOID
If you find yourself in a bad area it is obvious you are lost to the extent that you aren’t where you intended to be. Turn around immediately and go back the way you came in. Do not try for a shortcut out, it’s unknown territory, unless a definite pathway out is in view. The way you came in is known to you for at least one transit—that’s how you got here.
Don’t tailgate at a stop. Always stop back far enough to keep the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you in view. This allows enough room to swing out and leave the scene.
Upon leaving a stop do not close up the space between you and the vehicle before you. If you close up you are still in danger of being boxed in if the vehicle in front stops.
Unless making a right hand turn stay in the left lane at stops. This allows you to swing out into the opposite land and leave the scene.
Be first in line if possible. This way there is no vehicle in front of you to block your escape.
If it appears you are being intentionally boxed in, turn off onto a side street. Watch out for dead-ends. Or make a U-turn, don’t worry about if it’s illegal or a one way street because if you meet a cop he’s who you need at the moment. If he writes a citation, don’t argue. Take it and then ask him to escort you to a safe place.
If at a red light and suspicious persons are approaching you, run the light. If you meet a cop, he’s who you need at the moment. If he writes a citation, don’t argue. Take it and then ask him to escort you to a safe place.
If you are in a area strange to you watch for changes in the environment. Sometimes a street can quickly change from good to bad. If this happens, turn around immediately.
When stopped by signal or sign check your mirrors. Persons approaching from the rear are not quickly noticed.
If sideswiped do not stop until you get to a safe place. Be certain this place is well lit and visible to several other persons not of one group. If no safe place can be quickly found keeping driving. Call the police as quickly as you can and tell them what you are doing.
If you find you are in a bad place and possible assailants are about, hold your cell phone to your ear, even if not talking, to give the appearance that a possible audible witness is on-line.
If on the road and being stalked find a line of traffic, preferably a line of trucks, get into the midst of it, and stay there.
EVADE
Ram your way out. Be prepared to sustain damage to your vehicle in making your escape. Become familiar with the components of your vehicle in order to know which parts can sustain damage and the vehicle still run. The rear end can take more damage than the front. As soon as it is safe to do so, call the police and inform them of what happened and what you did. this might avoid a hit-and-run charge, or at least tame it down.
If your vehicle is rear wheel drive learn how to make a spin-turn for turning around in a narrow street. While moving forward, whip the wheel right or left while pressing the brake and gunning the engine. Rear wheel drives will whip the back end around. Front wheel drive won’t do this. You better practice this on a deserted parking lot or in a field first, however. It gets tricky.