Could Defensive Driving Make You a Safer Driver?

Around 1.35 million people die on the world’s roads annually, equating to 3,700 deaths every day, on average. An additional 20 to 50 million individuals incur non-fatal injuries ranging in severity, with many resulting in long-term disabilities.

More than 50 percent of all accidents involve unprotected road users, such as cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. In individuals aged between 5 and 29 years, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death today.

In the US alone, more than 38,000 people die in car accidents every year, with an additional 4.4 million people seriously injured. In this article, we look at the practice of defensive driving, and how its application improves the safety of motorists, passengers, and other road users.

What Is Defensive Driving?

Irrespective of your own experience level, your driving skills do not affect the behavior of other motorists. From DUIs to tiredness to drivers chatting on their mobile phones, the biggest hazards we face on the roads every day are other road users.

Being a competent driver requires much more than an awareness of road rules and an understanding of the mechanics of driving a car. Defensive driving involves anticipating potential hazards and risks and driving in a way that keeps you and other occupants of your vehicle safe based on prevailing road conditions.

What Are the Benefits of Defensive Driving?

Defensive driving confers numerous advantages. Learning how to spot hazards early prevents the driver from panicking behind the wheel, boosts their confidence, and enables them to avoid collisions and other dangerous situations. Defensive drivers are typically involved in far fewer accidents. Their awareness of road conditions and potential hazards helps them to avoid serious accidents by taking early, appropriate action.

Defensive driving equips motorists with the skills they need to stay safe in adverse driving conditions. It provides the foresight required to predict other drivers’ mistakes. Defensive drivers benefit from heightened awareness. They constantly look ahead and anticipate dangerous situations before they happen.

Defensive driving involves more than just skills on the road. It starts with driver preparedness, with the motorist building their awareness of challenges, restraints, and abilities. The driver who avoids setting out in adverse weather conditions; the tired driver who postpones their trip until the morning; and the elderly driver avoiding rush hour traffic are all applying their understanding of hazards and practicing defensive driving.

Aside from the obvious advantage of decreasing your likelihood of being involved in an accident, defensive driving confers several other important benefits. By preparing for worst-case scenarios, the motorist works to reduce the element of surprise. When it comes to road safety, you cannot be too prepared. By strengthening their ability to think ahead and predict incidents, motorists render their journeys far less stressful.

Defensive drivers reduce their risk of receiving speeding tickets or having their license revoked due to poor driving. Even defensive drivers with no formal training reap significant rewards, avoiding expensive car repairs, lowering their fuel consumption, and even reducing their motor insurance premiums through innovations like telematics insurance that effectively rewards good drivers.

How Can You Become a Defensive Driver?

The great thing about defensive driving is that it does not require expensive training or a special test. Most defensive drivers are self-taught, committing driving tips to memory to save themselves problems later on. Whether you are learner or a professional driver, the following tips could help to keep you and other road users much safer on the roads.

Trust No One

It may sound pessimistic, but, as we have already established, you can only vouch for yourself on the roads. Other drivers may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or they may be driving recklessly. By relying solely only on your own actions and ensuring you always drive in a safe manner, you minimize risks caused by other drivers.

Minimize Distractions

Squabbling children, a blaring radio, your satnav, and incoming phone calls, even handsfree, all distract from what you really need to concentrate on: the road and everyone on it. Even fiddling with the AC for a couple of seconds increases the chances of a collision. It is crucial to pay the road your full attention, keeping distractions to an absolute minimum.

Keep Your Distance

Tailgating not only irritates the driver ahead of you, it drastically increases the likelihood of an accident. It is vital to allow at least 2 seconds of lead time, and much more at higher speeds or in adverse conditions.

Use Your Mirrors

Mirror, indicate, maneuver is a routine you should continue for life, not just for your test. Regularly checking your mirrors alerts you to dangers. It is important to be mindful of your blind spots as well.

Follow Traffic Laws

Observing stop signs, proper merger procedures, and speed limits significantly diminishes the risk of being involved in an accident.

If you are interested in pursuing formal training, an approved defensive driving course could help you become a better driver. It could also qualify you for a 20 percent reduction on your motor insurance premium.