Defensive Driving

The basic principles of defensive driving are the same in any state or country where you might drive.  But there are areas of driving that need particular attention in a state like Maine.  The heart of why learning defensive driving skills is so valuable is that they make the driver much more aware of what is going on around the vehicle at all times.  This heightened state of awareness becomes such an instinct that a seasoned defensive driver will constantly be monitoring every aspect of the setting in which he or she is driving even while having a conversation or otherwise engaged within the car.

To be effective at driving defensively, one must have a keep focus and awareness on immediate and potential hazards that you cannot control.  That means that if there is an immediate hazard such as road construction, you were well prepared for it so you do not find yourself in a crisis situation as the hazardous driving situation unfolds. 

But it also means that you are always looking at traffic, the shoulders of the road, the surrounding countryside or city environment and even the sky to be aware of any hazardous situation that could come upon you suddenly.  Depending on the season, Maine weather can be a significant source of hazard at any time.  Winter driving in Maine calls upon the driver to be even more prepared for slick roads and for sudden changes in driving circumstances.

For the most part, driving in the major metropolitan centers of Maine such as Portland or Bangor are not that much different from driving in major city centers anywhere in the country or the world.  But Maine has a huge portion of its area devoted to heavily wooded countryside.  The roads are often narrow and the visibility sometimes limited.  Wildlife abound in Maine and that wildlife is one of the treasured natural resources of the state.  But that wildlife can also present a sudden hazard if a deer or some other animal were to suddenly appear in front of your car as you are driving.

It is not the responsibility of the animal to prevent a traffic mishap in that situation.  That means that at all times, drivers in Maine must be aware of this potential hazard and watching the wooded areas on the open road for the sudden appearance of an animal that could suddenly decide to confront the vehicle.  In the case of moose and deer, be particularly alert at dust and dawn as that is when they are most often on the move.

Another weather phenomenon that is well known to seasoned Maine drivers is fog.  Because of the proximity to ocean and the rapidly changing temperatures, fog can come up suddenly and obscure visibility significantly.  If you find yourself in the middle of such a Maine fog, put your headlights on low beam.  High beams will only reflect back on the vehicle and are not as effective in such a setting. 

If the fog becomes so dense that you have virtually no visibility, it is best to pull over, put your flashing lights on and leave the car by the side of the road.  You don't want to be in that vehicle if it gets hit by someone who is not using good defensive driving methods.  Above all, do not try to get through a foggy situation by driving at a very slow rate.  That is inviting a potential catastrophe.  By knowing how to handle Maine fog, narrow roads, weather conditions and wildlife, you can navigate the roads of this beautiful state and do so safely.