Even though driving has become somewhat of a routine for many, it’s probably one of the most dangerous tasks you’ll do during your day. Therefore, knowing and applying the proper defensive driving techniques becomes critical to ensure safety on the roads for yourself and other drivers.
Many other drivers on the road may not apply the correct driving techniques; hence, you’ll need to be aware of your surroundings and understand that not everyone drives well, even if they think they do. The only thing you can control is your driving; that’s why you must constantly apply defensive driving techniques to avoid any accidents when driving.
What does defensive driving mean?
Defensive driving refers to skills and techniques that you apply to defend yourself from others on the road. Usually, you are protecting yourself from poorly skilled drivers, drunk drivers, and challenging weather conditions. When applying defensive driving techniques, you’ll always be ahead of hazardous situations, avoiding injuries or accidents during your journey.
Defensive driving techniques
Let’s discuss straightforward and effective defensive driving techniques that’ll allow you to stay safe on the road:
1. Stay focused on driving
Driving can become a monotonous task, and many search for other activities to help them stay entertained. But one of the main aspects of driving defensively is staying focused on the road and being aware of your surroundings. Drivers should stop and take a breath instead of doing other things that may cause distraction and lead to an accident.
2. Safety comes first
When driving, it’s essential to have safety always in your mind. It must become part of your routine to constantly think ahead, be aware, maintain high alertness, and avoid unsafe driving tendencies. Thinking about safety first will allow you to make better decisions and decrease the chances of accidents on the road.
3. Avoid speeding
It’s expected that drivers want to arrive at their destination as soon as possible, which means in many cases that they’ll try to drive as fast as they can. Thanks to their expertise, many drivers can maneuver at high speeds, but for some, this may become very dangerous. In any case, it’s better to maintain a steady pace during the entire journey. Trying to keep a constant speed during your trip will allow you to be safe, have time to react if something goes wrong, and it’ll also increase fuel economy.
4. Maintain a safe following distance
This defensive driving technique comes in hand with the above. Speeding may cause you to be too close to the car in front of you, which can lead to an accident if the vehicle stops abruptly. This type of accident can be easily avoided by maintaining a safe following distance.
A safe following distance can be determined using the three-second rule, which checks that after a vehicle passes through a specific point, you pass that same point after three seconds. If you pass through it before, you’re not following at a safe distance. When driving larger vehicles, it’s recommended to extend this time as much as possible because more oversized vehicles take more time to stop.
5. Use your seatbelt
This is one of the most common defensive driving techniques, but it’s also one that many overlook. Many argue that seatbelts can be dangerous, but when used correctly, they save lives. Seatbelts become an ally during collisions since they prevent the driver from being ejected from the vehicle, which in most cases, ends up with a fatal outcome.
Using your seatbelt correctly and ensuring passengers use it is one of the simplest ways you can save your life, maintain a correct posture, and avoid possible injuries.
6. Use your vehicle’s blinkers
Blinkers are the primary tools your vehicle has to communicate with others on the road. You must use them correctly to let others know what your next move is. Blinkers are not just for when you’re at a stop sign, and you are letting them know if you’re turning right or left, it’s also essential when you’re going to switch lanes or when you are at a roundabout, or when you’re going to pass a car in front of you. There are many situations where blinkers are crucial since they’re the tool that allows you to let others know what you’re doing, so they know what’s safe for them to do as well.
7. Use headlights correctly
Having complete visibility of the road ahead of you is essential when driving at night. But in many cases, headlights can prevent others from seeing. Here’s where you need to know when to use your vehicle’s high or low lights. If there’s no one ahead, you may use your high beam for complete visibility. But if a car is driving in the opposite direction to you, it’s best if you lower your lights when they’re close so they can see ahead what’s ahead of them.
During your journey, you must be switching from high to low lights constantly so you can stay safe and allow others to be safe as well.
8. Be prepared for different weather conditions
When driving for long periods, you’ll be crossing different states, and therefore, you’ll be experiencing various weather conditions. It’s essential to know where you’ll be traveling so you can be prepared and equipped with the right clothes and tools for a safe trip. Also, checking weather reports will give you insights into knowing what to expect and how to handle possible dangerous weather conditions.
9. Try to predict risks
Another pillar in good defensive driving techniques is predicting, which goes hand in hand with planning. If you’re familiar with your route, you’ll be able to think ahead and anticipate any possible risk. Knowing these possibilities will help you handle difficult situations and possibly avoid accidents on the road.
10. Don’t make assumptions
Last but not least, when driving defensively, it’s primordial to avoid assuming that the other drivers will do something just because you would do it or because it’s the safest way to drive. The chances are that they’ll probably not do what you think, and you’ll end up in an accident. That’s why it’s better to stay concentrated on the road, be aware of what other drivers are doing, and make safe decisions accordingly.
Applying defensive driving techniques will help you avoid accidents by being proactive and attentive. Those who drive every day must understand that even though it’s a routine activity, you must stay focused and not underestimate the dangers ahead of you when on the road.