When you’re learning how to drive and get behind the wheel of a car for the first time, you’ll soon get a grasp of the basics, such as parallel parking, driving up a steep hill, or merging in and out of traffic. However, as you slowly train your muscle memory and instincts around the more foundational aspects of driving, you’ll soon progress to more advanced driving practices, such as defensive driving. But, what exactly is defensive driving, and why is it that important?
Well, as the name might suggest, defensive driving emphasizes a more proactive approach to driving compared to a reactive one. It entails teaching you and getting you used to anticipating potential problems and hazards on the road before they happen, like what to do when you see a driver swerving side to side or speeding excessively, and taking steps to avoid crashing into them. One example is the IPDE method of defensive driving, which we’ve covered before.
However, on a more general note, here’s everything you need to know about what is defensive driving, and how it can help you stay safe on the road:
1) What Does Defensive Driving Mean
For a more specific definition of what defensive driving is and what you’ll have to understand at a glance, I can summarize it as… “Defensive driving involves predicting potential actions of other drivers, and preparing to take action in case they do anything rash“. For example, if you see a driver approaching an intersection at high speed, if you’re a defensive driver, you might be able to anticipate that they might run a red light, and then take evasive action if needed.
One very important aspect of defensive driving is increasing your situational awareness of your surroundings when you’re driving around. This means scanning the road (in front of you, to the side, and your rear), checking your mirrors (side and rear) frequently, and behind very mindful of other road users. The latter doesn’t just encompass other vehicles and drivers, but also pedestrians and cyclists, or even animals or other small critters crossing the road.
Remember, the primary goal of defensive driving is preventing collisions and accidents by pre-emptively expecting something bad to happen (depending on the situation at hand), and then taking evasive action. As such, a defensive driver has to make well-informed decisions as well as continuously assess risks. That could be choosing safer (slower) speeds based on what’s going on in the road, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, and deciding whether you’d have to merge, change lanes, or turn safely.
2) Core Principles Of Defensive Driving
There are many core principles of defensive driving that you’ll sooner or later get used to, and the four main tenets that I’ve looked at before is IPDE – Identify, Predict, Decide, and Execute – but to expand a bit more on that:
Keeping A Safe Following Distance
This is straightforward, but the further the following distance between you and the car in front of you, the more time you would have to react, just in case something bad happens. A common guideline is the ‘Two Second Rule’ when trying to determine the following distance.
This ensures that you have at least 2 seconds worth of reaction time – in some cases, you may want to expand it to 3 or 4 seconds – in case the car in front of you stops immediately. If you drive in harsh weather or at higher speeds, a bigger (time) window is a good idea.
Maintain Good Situational Awareness
A good student of the art of defensive driving should also be keenly aware and vigilant of their environment and surroundings. This doesn’t just mean keeping an eye out for the behavior of other drivers, but also the conditions of the road, as well as traffic signals, road signs, etc.
Moreover, defensive driving teaches you to look far ahead and be able to identify potential hazards earlier on, such as construction zones, traffic jams, or debris on the road. It also helps to regularly check your mirrors, look out the window, and check your car’s blind spots.
Being Prepared For Any Emergency
Regardless of how much you maintain strong situational awareness and keep a pretty safe following distance, nothing beats always being prepared for any emergency. You have to always expect the unexpected, and be prepared to anticipate the very worst to happen.
Doing this means having a contingency plan in mind, like knowing where the nearest exit is or identifying empty lanes to move to if the car in front of you stops suddenly in front of you. Or, realizing how you can safely maneuver out of the way if a car swerves into your lane.
Minimizing Distractions Behind The Wheel
There’s a good reason why you’re not allowed to use your phone while you’re driving; because it’s distracting. Minimizing and getting rid of distractions is vital if you want to maintain good defensive driving principles. There’s of course more than just using your phone, too.
I’ve seen folks eat while they’re commuting, or playing around with the radio regularly. Either of these is highly distracting. Bear in mind that staying focused and not being distracted ensures that you can respond quickly and effectively to any sudden changes on the road.
Adapting To Road And Traffic Conditions
Adaptability is another important principle when you’re practicing defensive driving. Defensive drivers should always be open (and ready) to adjust their driving style according to the current road and traffic conditions, particularly if it presents potential hazards that endanger them.
For example, a defensive driver slows down when they notice heavy rain, fog, or snow, and be extra cautious when they arrive at areas with high traffic, fast-moving cars, or around any school zones and residential areas. These are some things you have to get used to.
3) Some Common Defensive Driving Techniques
If you’re wondering more about what defensive driving techniques you could practice behind the wheel, here are just a couple of the more popular – yet effective – ones:
- Two-Second Rule – As I noted earlier, the ‘Two Second Rule’ is where you maintain a 2-second gap between you and the car in front of you to maintain a safe following distance. This ought to be sufficient time for you to react in case they stop or change speed suddenly.
- Frequent Mirror Checks – This is another thing I’ve highlighted earlier, but constantly checking your mirrors is a good way to maintain good situational awareness, and keep you on top of what other drivers are doing. Just make sure you also check your blind spots, as well.
- Avoiding Distractions – Once again, staying singular and focused when you’re driving is crucial, so be sure to avoid anything that could distract you. Whether it’s using your phone or trying to adjust the stereo, make sure that these don’t divert your attention from driving safely.
- Being Prepared For The Unexpected – One thing that I always advise new drivers is to have one foot over the brake pedal (in case you need to brake suddenly), and one hand over the steering wheel (in case you need to steer out of the way in an instant), should anything happen.
- Using Signals And Communicate – Remember that you’re not the only one on the road, so it’s a must to make sure that you effectively communicate your intentions with other drivers to avoid any misunderstandings. You can do this with your turn signals and lights.
4) Why Should You Practice Defensive Driving?
It’s been proven that defensive driving has made a huge impact in a positive way. Statistically, we’ve seen a reduction in accident rates, lower fatality rates, a reduced rate of getting a traffic violation, and improved driving behavior. However, just in case you’re not yet convinced, here are some of the (many) benefits of learning how to drive defensively:
- You’re able to reduce the likelihood of getting into an accident, by being able to anticipate any potential hazards and taking evasive action.
- Crucially, defensive driving isn’t just good for you, but also for other road users and drivers, as you’re able to create a safer environment for everyone.
- It could also be a lifesaver in areas where there’s a higher density of people, fast-moving cars, or intersections and complex roads that you have to navigate.
- In some cases, you might be able to get a discount on your insurance if you can prove that you have completed a defensive driving course.
- Alternatively, if you have points on your driver’s license, in some states, completing a defensive driving course could help clean up your driving record.
- For new drivers, learning how to drive defensively makes sure that you can slowly improve your confidence and skills behind the wheel.
- Best of all, at the least, knowing how to drive defensively could help solidify your confidence by making sure that you how to avoid potential accidents.