JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Anyone who’s spent time driving in Jacksonville knows that close calls are common — from distracted drivers to sudden slowdowns — and danger can unfold in seconds.
So how can you avoid becoming part of the next crash story on News4JAX?
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I rode along with a defensive driving instructor with the Northeast Florida Safety Council to find out.
Ben McCorkel, a former state trooper, demonstrated the basics drivers should follow every time they get behind the wheel.
And it starts even before that.
McCorkel said drivers should begin with a “360” walk-around before getting in the car. He said to look for children, animals, toys or anything near the vehicle, and to check for leaks or other issues with tire pressure.
We know, it takes extra time before you leave, but McCorkel’s lesson was clear: prevention comes first.
And that quick check could be life-saving!
Once inside the vehicle, McCorkel stressed control and keeping both hands engaged.
When I tried to adjust and reached back using one hand, McCorkel stopped me and pointed out that one-handed driving reduces control if something goes wrong.
He said that even taking a hand off the wheel while talking -- another common habit -- can cost a driver reaction time.
On the road, McCorkel told me to keep scanning for pedestrians and for vehicles that might enter the roadway unexpectedly. He said some drivers will pull out without waiting, acting as if they come first.
At a red light, I asked McCorkel how much space drivers should leave behind the car in front of them. He said drivers should stop far enough back to see the front vehicle’s tires touching the pavement.
And when it comes to turn signals, many drivers think that if they’re already in a turn lane, signaling isn’t necessary. But McCorkel said turn signals should be used every time.
So what causes most of the crashes we see in Jacksonville?
In McCorkel’s opinion, it’s speed.
But he noted that driving too fast isn’t the only issue. Drivers going too slowly can also be dangerous and contribute to crashes.
At another intersection, I stopped slightly over the line, while another driver was much farther past it. McCorkel said that technically equates to running the red light.
McCorkel also urges drivers not to text while driving, not to engage with aggressive drivers, and not to play music so loudly that they cannot hear emergency responders approaching.