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YOU CAN REDUCE YOUR LIKELIHOOD OF HAVING A CRASH WHEN YOU USE THE RESEARCH-BASED SAFETY STRATEGIES FEATURED IN THIS COURSE. Consider New Approaches and Strategies As you have learned in this course, there is plenty of good news when it comes to staying behind the wheel longer. Smart drivers can adapt to physical changes and changes to the road by practicing basic skills, being aware of potential dangers, and applying specific safety strategies in problematic situations. The overwhelming factors affecting your risk when driving are how you drive and how others drive. This means that a large amount of the risk is under your own control. SITUATIONS STRATEGIES LEFT TURNS Use extra caution. Reduce your speed and look for traffic in all directions. In high traffic areas, consider making 3 right turns instead of 1 le turn. INTERSECTIONS Be especially alert at intersections. Watch for traffic in all directions. Obey all traffic signs and signals. Be prepared to stop for others who fail to yield the right-of-way. MERGING INTO ANOTHER TRAFFIC LANE Check traffic in front of and beside you. Check traffic behind you by using your mirrors and turning your head. Use your turn signal. When there is enough space for you on the highway, merge into that space, bringing your vehicle up to highway speed as quickly as possible, and turn off your turn signal. DRIVING ON A HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY Remember to scan; keep your eyes moving. Maintain a safe following distance. Check your blind spots by looking over your shoulder before changing lanes. Always use turn signals. Stay out of the blind spots of other vehicles, especially large trucks. DRIVING AT DUSK OR DAWN Avoid these situations when you can. If you are facing extreme glare, pull over to the side of the road, if you can do so safely, and wait until conditions improve. DISTRACTED DRIVING Avoid distractions. Concentrate on your driving, and do not get distracted by what is inside or outside of your vehicle. Do not use your cell phone while driving! RISKY SITUATIONS Avoid difficult or risky situations, by: X Refraining from driving at night, at busy times, or in bad weather X Combining trips to make them fewer and shorter X Taking routes with lower speed limits X Avoiding busy streets or highways, construction zones, and challenging intersections. OTHER WAYS TO TRAVEL There may be times when you prefer not to drive. Choose alternate types of transportation which keep you safe, independent, and mobile, including: X Asking for rides from friends, family, and neighbors X Volunteer drivers/transportation X Ridesharing X Taxis X Public transportation X Walking and biking. www.aarp.org/drive Smart Driver Participant Guidebook 105 WHAT CHANGES DO WE NEED TO MAKE? 6 6