What does defensive driving mean? (2023)

Last update:June 27, 2021|

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Driving on the freeway can be a stressful and irritating experience. Your safety depends on the ability of other road users to drive. When someone interrupts you or doesn't check your blind spot, it's easy to become stressed, anxious, or angry.

Your main objective every time you drive is to reach your destination safely. Learning to stay calm and avoid an accident are key aspects of defensive driving.

Defensive driving is a valuable skill set that gives you the ability to defend yourself while driving. This includes avoiding collisions caused by unsuspecting drivers, drunk drivers or driversbad weather.

Not familiar with defensive driving? Then you are absolutely right with us. Here you'll find everything you need to know about defensive driving to become a better and safer driver on the road.

What is defensive driving?

Do you remember the last accident or near accident you had while driving? If you avoided the accident, do you remember how you avoided it?

Defensive driving is more than just avoiding accidents and hoping for the best. This practice is a set of skills that will help you identify potential hazards and adjust your driving to avoid an accident. By anticipating situations, you can act immediately to avoid a potentially dangerous accident.

The skills needed for defensive driving are a combination of preparation, observation and appropriate response. Defensive drivers follow these key practices:

• Always plan for the unexpected
• control your speed
• Respect other drivers on the road
• Ready to react to other drivers
• Never assume the intentions of other drivers
• Adapt driving to different road conditions
• Always alert and not distracted while driving

Unfortunately, many drivers don't follow these simple driving practices. With today's technology needed to make everything fast, it's easy for drivers to accelerate and drive distracted. Defensive driving is more important than ever to ensure your journeys are always safe.

Defensive driving tips

If you're new to defensive driving or want to brush up on your skills, here are some tips you can start practicing today. Everyone, at any age, should take the time to improve their defensive driving skills. Here are some tips you can follow to improve your driving today.

keep a safe distance

Do you remember the driving skills you learned when you started driving? One of the first things drivers learn is to keep a safe distance between themselves and other cars on the road.

The optimal distance between cars depends on their speed. The general rule of thumb is to leave a three-second gap between you and the car in front of you.

To measure this gap, look at a specific object that the vehicle passes, such as a car. B. a tree, a mailbox, or a road sign. As they pass you, start counting the seconds it takes you to reach the same object.

If the count is greater than three seconds and you are driving slowly or below the speed limit, it is safe to increase your speed. If your count was less than three seconds, you must slow down.

Those who drive at a slower speed will have an interval of less than three seconds between vehicles. It is easier and faster to stop a slower moving vehicle. This does not mean that you can reduce the three second rule to one or two seconds, as it increases your chances of having an accident.

Driving at higher speeds should increase that three-second difference. Faster cars have more momentum and take longer to stop.

Drive at a safe speed

Your driving speed affects how quickly you can stop your vehicle in an emergency. Your driving speed should vary according to current road conditions. Never exceed a “reasonable and safe” speed, even if the speed limit is higher.

For example, a vehicle traveling at 30 miles per hour must travel about 120 feet before coming to a complete stop. This includes approximately 60 feet of reaction time and 50 to 60 feet of braking time.

The same vehicle traveling at 60 miles per hour takes 360 feet before coming to a complete stop. That includes about 130 feet of reaction time and 190 feet of braking.

If it is raining or snowing heavily, you should drive slower. Beware of other drivers who may not have 4WD or 4WD capabilities in their cars.

Use semper o pisca-pisca

Use the turn signal every time you turn or change lanes. Many drivers believe that their turn signals are not always necessary, or believe that they can change lanes or turn without disturbing other drivers.

This is not wise thinking. Turn signals are required for everyone within sight of your vehicle, even if you don't see them. This includes not only other drivers, but also pedestrians andracing cyclistas well as.

Be careful of your surroundings

Always examine your surroundings while driving. Watch out for pedestrians or cyclists along the road, cars ahead and behind you, and anything on either side of your vehicle. A car can pull into or out of your lane at any time.Pedestrians can cross the street.get wet.

By using the mirrors and looking around all sides of the vehicle, you can maintain a safe distance around the vehicle. You can see potential accidents and react quickly. The better you know your surroundings, the safer you will drive.

plan ahead

Scanning your environment precedes planning. By seeing what's going on around your vehicle, you can slow down and decide if you need to stop.

Pre-planning also includes evasive maneuvers. If the vehicle goes up in front of youcar accident, you can quickly decide whether changing lanes or pulling onto the shoulder is the best idea. This will help you to avoid the accident and protect you and the people in your vehicle.

Do not assume the driving intentions of others.

Never assume a driver will follow the same safe driving practices as you. Many drivers can change lanes without using a turn signal, while others forget to check their blind spots. Some drivers may flash the blinker but not turn or turn in the opposite direction of the blinker.

Pay attention to other road users and don't make assumptions about their driving intentions.

Do you feel you need more in-depth or hands-on training? Consider taking a course at a defensive driving school. These schools welcomepeople of all agesand all driving skills.

The aim of a defensive driving course is to improve your driving skills so that you are a safer driver on the road.

Is defensive driving school the same as driver training?

Defensive driving and driver education are not the same thing. Driver education may include defensive driving skills, but the focus is on teaching the individual to drive, read road signs and know traffic laws.

Defensive driving courses focus on improving your driving skills to avoid accidents and avoid breaking the law when driving. Here are some skills you'll learn if you take a defensive driving course.

Psychological factors in driving.

You can learn to control the psychological factors of your driving experience. On a defensive driving course, you will learn to remain calm while driving and reduce feelings of stress, fatigue and anger. These psychological skills improve your attitude and concentration while driving.

human factors

A defensive driving course will remind you of the effects drugs and alcohol have on a person while driving. These drug and alcohol topics include state laws and how drinking and driving affect your ability to drive. Cover legal and emotional consequencesdriving under influence.

Accident prevention techniques

The most valuable driving skills are knowing how to identify potential hazards and how to avoid an accident. During the course, you will learn many of the defensive driving practices listed above, as well as an understanding of vehicular emergencies and how to share the road safely.

On some courses, use a driving simulator to practice defensive driving.

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A defensive driving course teaches statistics and facts about vehicle accidents. From there, they address the dynamics of the accident, such as second collisions and the importance of safety equipment. You will learn how the speed, impact and size of the object can affect the severity of an accident.

Advantages of a Defensive Driving Course

The main benefit of taking a defensive driving course is that you will become a better and safer driver. Other benefits include reduction of points on the driver's license after a traffic ticket or accident. SomeCar insuranceReduce your insurance premiums by up to 10% after taking a defensive driving course.

Most defense classes last between four and eight hours. You can take classes online or in person, depending on the school.

Hone your defensive driving skills

Learning and following defensive driving techniques is the best way to avoid accidents and stay safe on the road. Defensive driving not only benefits you, but others on the road as well!

Do you think defensive driving training is right for you? look at ourDefensive Driving Course Selectionnear you to get started today!