Avoid a Collision

Select your speed based on the conditions, not just the posted speed limit. While it may be safe to drive 65 mph on a clear day, it would not be as safe if it were pouring rain or pelting hail. Use common sense to determine the safest speed under the circumstances.

Maintain your car properly. While it's tempting to keep those bald tires a bit longer to save some cash, you'll be forking over a lot more in repair charges if your bald tires hydroplane on the wet road and cause you to slide into the guardrail. Keep up on your tire rotations, oil changes, brake checks and maintenance schedules to make sure your car is efficient and that all systems react at a moment's notice.

Remember the adage, "slow and steady wins the race." Avoid impatient, frequent lane and speed changes because each time you change lanes, you increase your chances of a collision. In addition, leave at least one car length for every 10 mph between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

Avoid tailgaters at all costs. Tailgating vehicles increase your chances of being impacted from behind, so make sure you take safety measures to deal with them. Slow down so you're traveling slightly below the flow of traffic, encouraging the vehicle behind you to change lanes or pass you. If the tailgater doesn't get the hint, add his following distance to your following distance. This will give you extra time and space to stop without him rear-ending you.

Stay out of the fast lane whenever possible, as the highest percentage of highway accidents occur there. The center and right-hand highway lanes allow more opportunity for fast lane changes or a retreat to the road's shoulder in case of emergency. As a rule, cars driving in the fast lane tend to tailgate more as they hurry to their destination.

Keep your eyes 15 to 20 seconds ahead of your car so you can see upcoming hazards and have time to react. Don't just watch the driver in front of you. Watch the traffic in front of her, as well, so it won't be a surprise if she suddenly slams on the brakes. In addition, do not gaze at the same place for more than a second or two. Visually scan what's around you on a constant basis, making sure you don't zone out on one car or one part of the road.

Observe the cars around you in detail. If you're driving next to a car that has dents everywhere and the bumper is barely hanging on, be aware that the driver may be unskilled or unaware of his surroundings. In addition, if you notice your lane neighbor is applying lipstick while talking on her cell phone, move away from her as quickly as possible.

Don't start long road trips at night when you're tired and there is decreased visibility. Nighttime driving brings with it a whole host of concerns, like drunk bar hoppers, cars full of distracted teens and deer crossing the road unexpectedly. If you must drive at night, increase your following distance and report any suspicious driving behavior to the local authorities immediately.

Learn to drive like Jeff Gordon. While it sounds crazy, experts say that people who attend high-performance racing schools have better control over their vehicles, and perform better in emergency situations. If you're looking for an excuse to break the speed limit in a controlled environment, visit MotorTrend.com for a list of racing schools and contact information (see Resources below).