When many people think of defensive driving, they immediately associate it with a course that drivers take after receiving a traffic ticket. However, the National Safety Council explains that defensive driving encompasses several skills that reduce accidents and injuries. It involves anticipating dangerous situations caused by bad drivers, inclement weather, and other road conditions. For example, leaving enough space between you and the car ahead of you is a key defensive driving technique.
Leave Your Outs
Fleet managers need to understand that while they can’t control the behavior of other drivers on the road, they can influence their driving habits. This is why it’s important to teach fleet drivers defensive driving techniques. Defensive driving lessons at a driving school in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, emphasize a driver’s cognizance of their surroundings and interactions with other vehicles. For example, defensive drivers may determine another vehicle’s speed before changing lanes and avoid tailgating. They may also make sure they’re not under the influence of alcohol or other substances that can impact their reaction time and vision. Drivers taking a state-approved defensive driving safety course will be more prepared for unforeseen circumstances, from an angry motorist to inclement weather. Plus, they’ll have more skills to improve their performance behind the wheel and save on insurance premiums.
Look Ahead
A big part of defensive driving is anticipating what other drivers will do. No one is perfect, and other road users may make mistakes, especially when tired or distracted. Taking the time to look ahead lets you see cars pulling out of their driveways, red lights turning red, and jaywalkers crossing the street. It also helps you spot wildlife or other potential hazards before they jump out in front of you. Looking ahead is also important when changing lanes or navigating around obstacles. It gives you enough time to maneuver your vehicle into an empty lane or onto the shoulder. It also ensures you have an out if something unexpected happens, such as a sudden snowstorm or an animal running across the road.
Keep Your Eyes Open
Defensive driving is more than just paying attention to the road ahead. It’s also about being aware of everything around you on both sides and behind your vehicle. By scanning your surroundings, you can recognize hazards that other drivers may miss. For example, a ball rolling into the road followed by children, cars about to pull out from parallel parking or even a runaway truck bearing down on you from behind. A good rule of thumb is to look several hundred feet (about two blocks) ahead of your vehicle and then look back for about four seconds. This should help you maintain a safe following distance and avoid rear-end crashes, one of the most common causes of car accidents. Always check your mirrors before passing or changing lanes, and keep a consistent scanning pattern.
Don’t Trust Other Drivers
One of the new drivers’ biggest challenges is trusting other drivers. They may be worried that other drivers aren’t stopping at red lights, looking before switching lanes, and many other things that would hurt them.
These thoughts are part of a psychological phenomenon known as the Actor-Observer Bias. When people are observing other people doing bad things, they think they’re assholes for doing them. They don’t consider that they might have had a rough day and just wanted to shave a few seconds off their commute. Driver safety courses teach defensive driving techniques that reduce a driver’s anxiety about other drivers’ behavior on the road. They also explain why it’s never a good idea to get behind the wheel after having even one drink and how to recognize inattentive driving.
Stay Alert
Practicing defensive driving techniques can reduce your risk of an accident. This can help you avoid expensive car repairs or replacement costs and decrease your insurance rates. It’s also important to remain alert to react quickly if something unexpected happens on the road. This is especially true when driving in traffic with vehicles that have wide blind spots, such as trucks. Many collisions between cars occur because drivers fail to pay attention or react quickly enough to the situation on the road. This is why it’s essential to always leave adequate distance between your vehicle and the vehicles in front of you. If the car in front of you suddenly brakes or changes lanes, you’ll have time to respond.