Defensive driving is a philosophy of driving that puts drivers in charge of their own safety. Defensive driving techniques are all about optimizing your reaction time so you can make good decisions behind the wheel. The more time and space you have to react to problems like weather, other drivers, and pedestrians or cyclists, the less likely you are to end up in a fender bender — or worse.
Adopting defensive driving techniques comes with several big benefits. Avoiding accidents increases road safety for everyone, including other drivers and pedestrians. First and foremost, that can save lives — but it can also save money on insurance bills and repairs. Learning defensive driving techniques can also increase your confidence behind the wheel in the face of the unexpected.
Golden Rules of Defensive Driving
Here are the three main tenets of defensive driving you should think about before hitting the road.
1. Respect Others
All drivers have the same right to be on the road, so treat everyone else the way you would want to be treated. In practice, this means giving other drivers space instead of tailgating and following polite "zipper" protocol for lane merges. Respecting others helps turn down the temperature on road rage and keeps everyone safer.
2. Stay Alert
Defensive driving means paying attention to what other drivers are doing so you can anticipate their next move. For example, if you see a driver weaving in and out of their lane, you can give them extra space and look for a safe way to get around them to avoid an accident.
3. Be Aware
You also want to be aware of the changes in road conditions and other potential dangers, such as the weather and additional traffic. Defensive driving can begin even before you leave the house as you plan your route to avoid rush hour or inclement weather. Of course, you also want to be responsive to conditions on the ground as they change.
Practical Defensive Driving Techniques
Not sure where to get started when it comes to defensive driving? Try out these core techniques and see if they make a difference.
Scan the road ahead: It's easier than ever to get distracted behind the wheel, but keeping your eyes on the road is crucial. This is more complex than just staring at the bumper of the car in front of you, though. You also need to keep an eye on the road far ahead of you as well as on either side of you, and you should regularly use your mirrors to check behind you. This will allow you to keep a mental "escape route" in mind if you need to suddenly swerve or slam on your breaks.
Maintain a safe following distance: Riding close behind the driver in front of you is never a good idea. The more space you leave between you and others, the more time you have to react if they suddenly hit the breaks. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recommends a four-second following distance on the highway.
Adapt to changing conditions: Finally, defensive driving means adjusting based on the conditions you face. Additional traffic, road construction, and bad weather are all reasons to slow down so you can further improve reaction time. In rain and snow, for example, you'll also want to increase your following distance and break earlier to avoid skidding into another vehicle.
Brush Up Your Defensive Driving Skills
Defensive driving is one of the best ways to improve safety for everyone on the road. The good news is that you can start today by adding these simple practices into your driving routine.
Want to learn more about the finer points of following distance and scanning for danger? Enhance your skills with an online defensive driving course today.
Updated 09/27/2024
