If it makes you look cool, don't do it!!!

Yep, it is that simple. Defensive driving was introduced as a means to minimize the amount of accidents occuring on national roadways. There are courses, books and other resources that have been compiled to educate drivers about safety habits. I sugguest you utilize these options fully to gain a detailed understanding of what defensive driving really is and how to apply it.

However, if you are in the heat of the moment and can't refer to a defensive driving resource, this rule of thumb can help you to make safe driving decisions. Let's face it: it isn't cool to drive safely. That very same connotation about driving regulations can be used to help make educated decisions on the fly, thereby reducing the chances of you being in an accident.

If you've ever driven on a road with other vehicles, then you know how aggrivating traveling by car can be. When some people get behind the wheel, it's as if they gain a new sense of bravado that results in them driving like lunatics. They'll throw on their high beams to blind you, honk the horn because you're actually doing the speed limit, then cut you off while giving you the finger. That is why defensive driving is so critical to road safety.

Defensive driving is the smartest response to most of these idiots populating the roads. It can be considered "being the bigger man" or what have you, and that's definitely uncool. The best way to handle selfish drivers is to just get let them be. You won't ever be able to get revenge on every driver that does you dirty, so don't weigh yourself down with the hate.

There are times when that reckless, speeding maniac is you. By driving without regard for anyone else, you are endangering the lives of your fellow drivers as well as your own. Whatever your vice is behind the wheel, (texting, changing lanes without signaling, speeding, etc.), ask yourself if it makes you look cool. 9 times out of 10, the answer is yes. And that means, you shouldn't be doing it.

You've probably witnessed someone driving reckless and thought "I bet this jerkoff thinks they look cool." If you have, then you are already on the path to applying the defensive driving rule of thumb.

Defensive driving begins and ends with you. You can't be held accountable for the actions of others, so don't dwell on what others are doing wrong. Just make sure you are doing the right thing. That means, everytime you are about tp make a reckless driving decision, ask yourself if it will make you look cool. If the answer is yes, don't do it!

Here are a few examples where the defensive driving rule of thumb can be applied:

• Speeding
• Changing lanes without signaling
• Rolling Stops
• Waiting until the last second to squeeze into exit lanes
• Flooring it to beat a yellow light
• Driving with your knees
• Racing other cars
• Talking on a cell phone
• Text messaging on a cell phone
• Putting on makeup while driving
• Drunk driving

The scenarios where defensive driving can save your life and others are nearly infinite. The good thing about rules of thumb is that they are generally universal. As time passes and driving evolves, there are going to be new lows that people reach while using roadways.

Practice defensive driving as much as you can, so you don't have to scramble to do so when it's too late.