What exactly is defensive driving?
 

There are more cars than ever on the road today.  This also, unfortunately, means there are more accidents, deaths and serious injuries related to driving than ever.  Authorities and insurance experts have linked aggressive driving with a much greater incidence of accidents and deaths.  But at the same time they have also linked defensive driving with a much lower incidence of these same accidents.  Why is this?  It’s actually quite simple.  Defensive driving is safe driving.  Aggressive driving is dangerous.  So, what exactly is defensive driving?  

Defensive driving is characterized by using due diligence and prudence with making the road safe and to fulfill the goal of other people as well as to make them defensive drivers – in other words keeping a safe distance, abstaining from driving too fast and being alert for unknown hazards.  Keeping your car in proper shape and maintenance is also a very overlooked, but very important part of defensive driving.  By keeping your car maintained you are lessening the chances of your becoming a road hazard for another driver – both reducing your risk and that of others. 

To be a defensive driver, it’s not all about book smarts.  It’s also about commonsense.  Anyone can be a good defensive driver, albeit it might be hard for some type A personalities as they tend to be a lead foot on the gas and speed a lot and/or also have road rage.

Clean and clear headlights are an important part of any defensive driving routine. 

To be a safe defensive driver you will fare best by remembering the following tips whether or not you decide to attend a good defensive driving course (most state DMV’s offer these for either free or very low cost and they are a terrific way of learning driving safety and many will also remove a few points from your license which are usually attributed to aggressive driving habits): 

1. Follow Traffic Rules. You must observe traffic rules such as no overtaking and no speeding because its not only the law, it’s also for your safety.  Those areas that are marked specifically as no passing, or that have a certain speed limit attributed to them have these rules for a reason.  That reason is that higher powers like the DMV, the institute for Highway Safety, DOT and others have determined that these rules lower the risks of accidents and increase safety for all drivers. 

2. Be aware of all traffic sign and symbols. Sharp curves, hills, animal crossing, etc… all have meaning and should be heeded.  For instance, an animal crossing sign usually means large wild animals like deer or similar frequently cross the road in this area and drivers should use caution.  Deer can cause serious injuries to passengers in your car along with the physical damage to your car if you were to hit one and they tend to dart right out into traffic.  Curves can mean higher speeds could result in skidding or losing control. 

3. Be aware of other drivers and maintain proper distance. This is one of the most important rules of all.  Many rear end accidents could be avoided if drivers followed at a proper distance.  It is important to allow enough space between your car and the one in front of yours to allow you to easily stop in case of an emergency.  Riding their bumper and tailgating are never safe.  You also have to watch for opportunistic drivers whom are looking for someone following too closely driving a nice car – they want you to hit them so they can get a lawyer and make you pay them and they get a nice payoff.  This has really become quite a racket in recent years.  It is best to maintain a safe driving distance and pay attention so this doesn’t happen to you.

4. Check your car before you use it. Always make sure your car is well maintained and safe.  Don’t rely on your state’s annual safety and emissions check to make sure your car is safe and operating properly.  Follow a good maintenance program and routinely check things yourself like the tires and be alert for when something doesn’t sound or feel right – if this occurs you’re your car or truck checked out by a qualified mechanic. 

5. Observe proper speeds especially on the highways and backroads.  Many accidents occur on these roads due to higher speeds and unforeseen road hazards that can just pop out of nowhere.  I was once driving a back road to Myrtle Beach and the road was a two lane road.  Out of no where a farmer and his tractor started crossing the road and he never looked to see if traffic was coming from my direction.  Because I was not speeding I was able to stop in time.  If I had been speeding I would have run right into the tractor (to top it off the farmer yelled at me and gave me the finger like it was my fault somehow).   

It is also important to be careful when police are about directing traffic or if they have pulled someone over.  Be courteous and leave them room, also slow down to a safe speed.  The same should be said for construction zones – this is why Pennsylvania has signs erected in construction zones that say, ”drive slow my daddy or mommy works here.” They want drivers to be aware that people just like them are in these construction zones and to be courteous and you know what?  These signs have actually been proven to be highly effective in reducing fatalities and construction zone accidents – maybe they need to put them in other states besides just Pennsylvania? 

To have the highest odds of being safe and greatly reduce your risks of being in an accident practice these tips and defensive driving.  Besides the life you save may be your own!

 

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