Many people nowadays opt for specialized defensive driving courses
that have specialized syllabi for their students in order to ensure
safer road journey in the future. Given below are some techniques of
defensive driving:
Predict Probable Dangers
The best thing that any defensive driving course would teach its students is to anticipate potential danger and react accordingly. Assuming the worst possible situation while driving is a key to safety. Only if a driver assumes that a given situation (such as someone breaking the signal) can lead to a worst possible condition (such as fatal death), he will try to react in a manner that may be helpful in saving lives. In order to recognize potential dangers, one has to assume that every other driver on the road, other than the one in question, has no knowledge whatsoever of traffic rules and so anything can happen at any point in time. Always being alert and paying attention to detail are the two most important things which a 'defensive' driver must keep in mind.
Predict Probable Dangers
The best thing that any defensive driving course would teach its students is to anticipate potential danger and react accordingly. Assuming the worst possible situation while driving is a key to safety. Only if a driver assumes that a given situation (such as someone breaking the signal) can lead to a worst possible condition (such as fatal death), he will try to react in a manner that may be helpful in saving lives. In order to recognize potential dangers, one has to assume that every other driver on the road, other than the one in question, has no knowledge whatsoever of traffic rules and so anything can happen at any point in time. Always being alert and paying attention to detail are the two most important things which a 'defensive' driver must keep in mind.
Keep a Safe Distance
It is extremely essential that one maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, while driving. This is due to the fact that although it may be possible to anticipate potential dangers by analyzing the conditions around, it is not possible to anticipate how a driver ahead may behave at a given point in time. It is quite possible that he may take a sudden turn without indicating, or may even come to a sudden halt. In any such situation, if the distance between the two vehicles is not 'safe' enough, a possibility of the driver behind losing control and colliding with the vehicle ahead may arise, which in many instances can lead to fatal conditions. Hence, it is important to refer to the safe driving guidelines that advise the drivers to drive at a 'recommended safe distance'.
It is extremely essential that one maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, while driving. This is due to the fact that although it may be possible to anticipate potential dangers by analyzing the conditions around, it is not possible to anticipate how a driver ahead may behave at a given point in time. It is quite possible that he may take a sudden turn without indicating, or may even come to a sudden halt. In any such situation, if the distance between the two vehicles is not 'safe' enough, a possibility of the driver behind losing control and colliding with the vehicle ahead may arise, which in many instances can lead to fatal conditions. Hence, it is important to refer to the safe driving guidelines that advise the drivers to drive at a 'recommended safe distance'.
Avoid Getting Distracted
Drive cautiously, carefully and attentively. Avoid all kinds of distractions as far as possible to ensure safety. Adjust all your car mirrors according to your comfort so that you get clear views of all the directions right before you start driving. Adjusting the mirrors while driving can be highly distracting and may result in the driver losing control. Similarly, using a mobile phone, switching between radio channels or watching television within the car can distract drivers who in turn can run into other cars, collide into stationery objects or even worse.
Drive cautiously, carefully and attentively. Avoid all kinds of distractions as far as possible to ensure safety. Adjust all your car mirrors according to your comfort so that you get clear views of all the directions right before you start driving. Adjusting the mirrors while driving can be highly distracting and may result in the driver losing control. Similarly, using a mobile phone, switching between radio channels or watching television within the car can distract drivers who in turn can run into other cars, collide into stationery objects or even worse.
Mind the Heavy Traffic
'Defensive' drivers are trained to scan the road ahead and be geared up for any future contingencies, especially in heavy traffic. They are expected to keep a close eye on vehicle indicators and brake lights. Maintaining road discipline and avoiding 'car bunches' are the two important factors. A 'defensive' driver either heads the 'car bunch' or stays at the very end of it. This is a good way to avoid severe accidents.
Avoid Larger Vehicles
It is advisable to keep away from large and heavy vehicles, and avoid driving either in front or behind them. Watch out for heavier vehicles such as buses or trucks in your rear view mirror, anticipate the distance and plan your strategy accordingly. If you are driving behind a large vehicle, maintain a safe distance from it and see that you do not attempt to overtake it from the wrong side.
'Defensive' drivers are trained to scan the road ahead and be geared up for any future contingencies, especially in heavy traffic. They are expected to keep a close eye on vehicle indicators and brake lights. Maintaining road discipline and avoiding 'car bunches' are the two important factors. A 'defensive' driver either heads the 'car bunch' or stays at the very end of it. This is a good way to avoid severe accidents.
Avoid Larger Vehicles
It is advisable to keep away from large and heavy vehicles, and avoid driving either in front or behind them. Watch out for heavier vehicles such as buses or trucks in your rear view mirror, anticipate the distance and plan your strategy accordingly. If you are driving behind a large vehicle, maintain a safe distance from it and see that you do not attempt to overtake it from the wrong side.
Maintain Presence of Mind
While you pay attention towards other cars and heavier vehicles around you, it is also important to scan the road for bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians, potholes and animals that may come in our way while you are driving. Presence of mind is very important because you cannot say how and when an animal or a child may come in front of your car. Make sure that you do not exceed the prescribed speed limit so that you are able to control your vehicle in any such situation. Similarly, avoiding factors such as potholes are also vital.
Blind Spots May Kill
Try not to drive into the blind spot of the vehicle that is ahead of you. Blind spot is a spot or point behind the vehicle which cannot be seen by the driver through any mirror. In other words, blind spot is a high-risk area around the car where maximum accidents can occur. It is therefore necessary for the defensive drivers to identify this spot and try not to drive in this problem area. Thus, a simple guideline to be kept in mind while driving is, "if you can't see their mirrors, they can't see you".
Although, every American state has its own syllabus of defensive driving, formulated on the basis of each one's individual laws, the techniques used in the process are more often than not the same everywhere.
While you pay attention towards other cars and heavier vehicles around you, it is also important to scan the road for bicycles, motorcycles, pedestrians, potholes and animals that may come in our way while you are driving. Presence of mind is very important because you cannot say how and when an animal or a child may come in front of your car. Make sure that you do not exceed the prescribed speed limit so that you are able to control your vehicle in any such situation. Similarly, avoiding factors such as potholes are also vital.
Blind Spots May Kill
Try not to drive into the blind spot of the vehicle that is ahead of you. Blind spot is a spot or point behind the vehicle which cannot be seen by the driver through any mirror. In other words, blind spot is a high-risk area around the car where maximum accidents can occur. It is therefore necessary for the defensive drivers to identify this spot and try not to drive in this problem area. Thus, a simple guideline to be kept in mind while driving is, "if you can't see their mirrors, they can't see you".
Although, every American state has its own syllabus of defensive driving, formulated on the basis of each one's individual laws, the techniques used in the process are more often than not the same everywhere.
