Defensive Driving

Buy a car with anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. These computer-based driving aids will perform amazing feats to help you avoid accidents. It's like having Jeff Gordon—or your guardian angel—take the wheel during emergency situations.


In the market for a used car? Make sure it's '97 or newer model to get upgraded side-impact standards.


Tires are the single most important safety component—other than the driver—on a car. Buy high-quality tires and maintain them. Sure they're expensive, but think about it this way: If you're going sky-diving, would you buy a bargain parachute? Check your tire pressures monthly and make sure they are AT LEAST what the vehicle manufacturer recommends: Three—or even five—psi high is better than one low. There's little penalty for being a little high, but the ability to resist deep water is severely reduced if the pressure is even slightly low. Low pressure also is the leading cause for tire failure. Imagine repeatedly bending a wire coat hanger: That's what's happening to the interior structure of a tire with inadequate pressure. The damage will not be visible, but may be fatal. If your tires have been run under 20 psi for any distance—or slammed into a curb or a big pothole—have a tire dealer demount and inspect them.


Don't squeeze the last few thousand miles out of your tires. Tires are a lot like people: Near the end of their life they don't perform nearly as well as when they're young. A tire's ability to resist deep water is severely compromised by the time it reaches 4/32-inch tread depth. Tires die of old age, too: Replace tires at least every six years, regardless of tread depth remaining.

Know Your Car?and Yourself
Sadly, the first time most drivers explore their car's capability is in an emergency. Those who refuse to be victims know the ability of their car—and themselves.