Originally Posted by bjr

On top of all of this advice you should learn to "count cars" behind you also to make you a more alert driver. There should never be a time that a car can surprise you if you are giving driving your full attention. I'm not talking about focusing on behind you by the way. Just the quick rearview checks every now and then that you were supposed to learn in drivers training. Helps alot in addition to having all your mirrors set properly. Just another trick no one mentioned but I have heard before.