Defensive driving is anticipating problems and responding ahead of time so that you can protect yourself and others from dangerous and unexpected driving situations. It’s the best way to avoid accidents and become a smarter driver. When driving defensively, your goal is to be aware of potential threats and be prepared to deal with them before they become a problem.
Avoiding collisions isn’t just making sure you follow the law and do everything right. Even if you do everything right, all it takes for a collision to happen is for someone else to do something wrong. That’s why it’s important to expect other drivers to make mistakes and be ready to adjust your driving as soon as you spot a potential problem on the road.
Defensive Driving Techniques to Practice
As a defensive driver, your priority is to put yourself in a position to respond calmly and react quickly when something unexpected occurs.
Remember these golden driving rules each time you get behind the wheel:
Respect others – Treat other drivers the way you want to be treated and give them space so that they feel safe.
Be alert – Pay attention to what other drivers are doing to avoid any potential hazards.
Be aware – Stay alert for anything that could put you in danger.
By taking simple actions such as scanning the road ahead, maintaining a safe following distance, and watching for changes in driving conditions, you can detect and avoid potential problems before they happen.