Defensive driving is an advanced training approach that equips drivers with skills exceeding basic road rules and vehicle operation. Its primary goal is to proactively mitigate driving risks by anticipating and avoiding hazardous situations, regardless of adverse conditions or the errors of other drivers. This is achieved through a combination of universal principles and specific driving techniques.
Here are some fundamental defensive driving principles:
1. Prioritize Attention:
A vehicle in motion possesses immense energy. As a driver, you’re responsible for preventing that energy from causing harm or damage. Attentiveness is paramount, enabling you to identify, recognize, and evade potential hazards. Alertness is the cornerstone of safe driving, providing the necessary time to react and prevent collisions.
2. Trust No One:
Never assume another driver’s actions. Reflect on your own past driving mistakes and anticipate future ones. Remember that other drivers are equally fallible. Maintain a vigilant watch, provide ample space, and anticipate potential errors from other drivers. Avoid driving on “autopilot,” which cedes control to other drivers and makes your safety dependent on their actions.
3. Obey Speed Limits:
Exceeding reasonable speed limits significantly elevates risk by reducing reaction time and increasing the energy involved in a collision. Carefully assess whether the potential time saved justifies the heightened risk. Physics dictates that increased speed diminishes your ability to react to hazards within a safe timeframe. The average reaction time ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 seconds. At 50 mph, the reaction distance is approximately 83 feet, while at 70 mph, it extends to over 115 feet. These figures exclude braking distance. The 32-foot difference in reaction distance between 50 mph and 70 mph can be critical. At night, when visibility is reduced, the risks associated with speeding are amplified. Headlights may not illuminate hazards far enough in advance to allow for safe avoidance. Many experts advocate for speeds below 50 mph on dark roadways.
4. Drive with Precision:
Careless driving habits lead to accidents. Adhere to traffic laws, including signaling, maintaining proper lane position for turns, turning into the correct lanes, obeying traffic signs, and fully stopping at stop signs. Although seemingly minor, these rules are vital for safety. Impatience often leads to violations, but these rules are crucial for preventing accidents. Some estimate that the average driver commits multiple traffic violations per mile.
Most Importantly: Always respect all driving regulations mandated by your country’s laws.
While numerous other rules exist, these represent the most critical principles of defensive driving. More information on defensive driving courses can be found at www.dmv.org and www.drivinguniversity.com.