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When you get behind the wheel of a car, you become responsible for the safety of all its occupants. You’re also accountable to other drivers and vehicles on the road – and to the laws of the road.
But there’s little any one driver can do to affect the way other people drive. That is one of the major reasons why defensive driving is emphasized in driver’s education classes and driving schools.
Since you only have control over your own vehicle, you must do all in your power to be prepared to handle any situation that arises.
But there’s little any one driver can do to affect the way other people drive. That is one of the major reasons why defensive driving is emphasized in driver’s education classes and driving schools.
Since you only have control over your own vehicle, you must do all in your power to be prepared to handle any situation that arises.
Try these five defensive driving pointers the next time you’re on the road:
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Stay Focused
This tops the list for a very good reason. Driving is a mental exercise more than anything else. You need to stay aware of the road conditions, weather, other drivers, your progress toward your destination, and your position on the road relative to other vehicles, to name a few. When you focus on these key factors, it can make the difference to help you drive as safely as you can.
Not allowing yourself to become distracted by talking, texting, eating, daydreaming, or anything else is the most important key to being a good defensive driver. Drowsy driving’s a risk, too – so be aware of your physical condition as you’re driving.
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Take the Long View
It is human nature to look at what is right in front of you and neglect what is coming up ahead. But when driving, you’ve got to look ahead and think ahead. If you’re more aware of what might be going on ahead, the better you will be able to react when you get there.
Aim your gaze high when looking down the road, beyond just the car in front of you so you have enough time to process and react.
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Maintain Situational Awareness
Akin to the above is staying observant of what is going on around you on all sides. This is termed situational awareness. You should constantly be scanning your mirrors, looking side to side, and listening for warning sounds. If you have ever been passed by a car and wondered where it came from, that should alert you to be more conscious of what is going on around you.
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Try ‘War Gaming’
“War gaming” is the process of constantly playing “What if?” As a driver, you can enhance your defensive driving by doing just that. “What if that truck in front of me hits his brakes?” “What if the person shaving or putting on makeup drifts into my lane?” As you do that, think about how you can respond defensively: Can you speed up or slow down? Can you find an open escape route?
The more time you spend looking for problems before they occur, the better you will be to react when bad things happen.
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Follow the 3-4 Second Rule
The three-second/four-second rule is a rough rule of thumb for following at a proper distance.
Here’s how to use it for defensive driving: Pick a marker. It can be a spot on the road, a road sign, a tree, or anything else. When the vehicle in front of you passes it, start a slow count. If you reach your marker before counting to three, you are too close and should back off. Beyond four seconds, you should have time to stop safely.
This rule applies to ideal road conditions. Add extra time if visibility is low, if there is poor weather, or if there is construction and/or an accident.
An estimated 23% of road accidents are caused by following too closely. And these accidents account for 2,000 deaths annually. Ease back and stay safe.
Defensive driving can be the key to getting to a destination as safely as possible. There is no appointment to keep that is worth dying for or the pain of seeing someone you care about injured. Stay focused on the road, don’t get distracted, plan ahead, and look out for trouble before it finds you.
