Oregon Drivers Education Prevents Car Crashes

Getting your drivers license is a right of passage; something we all expect to do at some point in our late teen years. Because it is such a common part of life, sometimes we can lose sight of what a big deal it actually is. Every year we send hundreds of teens to one Oregon drivers education program or another, we give them a couple of tests and then we set them free on the roads and hope for the best. But that's not how we operate here at Pacific Driver Education.

We never lose sight of what a big deal driving actually is. It is our mission to equip your teens—as well as our adult driving students—with all the information necessary to be safe, effective drivers. Sometimes we like to extend this mission into our blogs, so this month we’d like to offer up a little advice to all you licensed drivers out there…

Everyone who holds an Oregon driver’s license has implicitly agreed to do all in their power to prevent crashes. These three habits will help you succeed!

Situational Awareness

Most drivers only look three to four seconds ahead of their vehicle—perhaps two cars ahead. But research shows that more than 80% of crashes could be prevented if drivers had as little as ONE SECOND longer to deal with the problem. So, the first way to prevent crashes is to monitor traffic at least fifteen seconds ahead of your vehicle. You will gain awareness of traffic signals, slowing traffic, erratic drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and other hazards before they become an immediate problem.

Keep More Following Distance

A very high proportion of crashes happen because drivers follow each other too closely. Yet research shows that maintaining four seconds of following distance will not delay your arrival. What it will do is give you the time and space you need to stop if an emergency situation develops just ahead of you. Remember, it takes more than two seconds to stop a car on a flat, dry road—even longer in the rain.

Stay Engaged with Driving

Too many of us never focus on the driving task. Instead, we allow our minds to drift ahead to the next thing on our busy calendar, forgetting that driving is likely the most dangerous activity of our day. It’s far better to remain focused on the task at hand—driving safely. Remember it all begins with keeping a watchful eye for changes ahead and around your car that require your response.

Whether you’re trying to find the perfect place to prepare your teen for the road ahead (yes, pun intended, we’re sorry) or you’re looking for the best adult driver education Oregon has to offer, Pacific Driver Education is here for you! Give us a call today and get started on the path to becoming a responsible driver for life.