Rough and Wild

How Do You Become A Good Defensive Driver?

Make a resolution to hit the road more safely.

What do we mean when we say it’s important to practice “defensive” driving?

While your typical suburban highway might not be Mad Max: Fury Road, it’s still full of perils and potential accidents just waiting to happen.

 

•Defensive driving means being aware of your surroundings, anticipating hazards, and taking steps to avoid them.

 

•Key factors include maintaining a safe following distance, avoiding distractions, checking blind spots, and being extra cautious at intersections. These are the best Philadelphia driving schools.

 

•Following good defensive driving principles can help you save money on car insurance when you drive with the Lemonade app.

 

Defensive driving is all about being proactive, rather than simply reacting to what’s happening around you.

Let’s take a look at some basic, actionable tips and tricks to boost your defensive driving skills and keep you and your loved ones safe.

Keep a safe following distance

As a general rule, a safe following distance is two seconds or more. Choose a fixed object on the road, such as a street sign or a tree. When the vehicle in front of you passes the object, count the number of seconds it takes for your vehicle to reach the same point.

If it takes two seconds or more, you are maintaining a safe following distance. If it takes less than two seconds, you should increase your distance to allow for safe stopping.

Expect the unexpected

One of the key principles of defensive driving is to always be on the lookout for potential hazards—and there’s never a lack of hazards! Being cautious (and even a bit paranoid) about the actions of other drivers around you can pay off.

This means keeping your eyes peeled for things like pedestrians, bicycles, stray deer, and other vehicles, and being prepared to take action if necessary. It goes without saying that stuff like texting on your cell phone or fiddling with directions on Waze is going to prevent you from driving defensively.

It’s all too easy to get “in the zone” when driving—to be paying partial attention to the road while your mind is drifting off elsewhere. Instead, try to be mindful of everything happening around your vehicle, and in the approaching distance.

You’ll notice that sea of brake lights on the horizon that suggests an accident or traffic slowdown—and you won’t slam on your own brakes when it catches you by surprise.

Check your blind spots

A blind spot is an area surrounding your car that you can’t see in your rearview or side mirrors. Every vehicle has at least two blind spots, one on either side.

When you’re driving, it’s important to be aware of cars that might have snuck into your blind spot. That’s an accident waiting to happen.

  • Make sure that your mirrors are properly adjusted so that you can see as much of the road as possible
  • Always use your turn signals when you’re changing lanes
  • Check your blind spot before you change lanes, by taking a quick glance over your shoulder
  • When you’re driving, use your rearview and side mirrors to get a good view of what’s happening behind you.
  • Invest in a blind spot mirror—a simple, circular mirror that sticks on to your side mirrors and gives you a greater range of visibility

Don’t drive when you’re tired

It’s important to be aware of your own limitations as a driver, and knowing when to slow down or pull over if necessary. Maybe you’re stressed out or anxious, or maybe you’re too tired to be behind the wheel. Trust your instincts and err on the side of caution. Here’s some actionable info on how to know when you’re too tired to drive.

Be extra cautious at intersections

According to some studies, up to 40% of all accidents in the U.S. involve an intersection. Intersections present unique opportunities for danger, so it’s important to stay aware whenever you approach one. Four way stop? Pedestrian crosswalk? No matter what configuration, keep your eyes on the road.

Here are some ways to practice defensive driving at an intersection:

  • Before you enter the intersection, take a quick look around to see what other vehicles are nearby
  • Always follow the right-of-way rules at an intersection, and yield to others if you don’t have the right-of-way
  • Be on the lookout for pedestrians who might be crossing the intersection—and be patient, even if they’re moving too slow for your tastes
  • Before you turn at an intersection, be sure to check your blind spot to make sure there aren’t any vehicles in it (as well as pedestrians or cyclists)
  • Always pay attention to other drivers’ turn signals
  • Avoid rushing through an intersection; it’s better to take your time and make sure it’s safe than to risk an accident, even if the drivers behind you are getting impatient

Approach yellow lights safely

A yellow light doesn’t mean “gun the engine and hope for the best.” It’s a warning that the light is about to turn red, so your best bet as a defensive driver is going to be to stop, if you can safely do so.

There’s no sense in risking an accident simply to save a few seconds on your commute (and in many cases, you might be blowing through a yellow light simply to arrive faster at…the next intersection’s right light).

Drive even more defensively in inclement weather

Safe driving is even more essential if you’re hitting the road in a downpour, or during a snowstorm. Here are some tips for practicing defensive driving in inclement weather conditions:

  • Slow down, speed racer: Bad weather means reduced visibility and less traction on the road, so give yourself more time to react by slowing down
  • It takes longer to stop in wet or slippery conditions, so make sure you leave even more room than usual between you and the car in front of you
  • Turn on your headlights and taillights to increase your visibility to other drivers, even if it’s not dark out.
  • Wet roads can make it easier to lose control of your car, so keep a firm grip on the steering wheel and pay extra attention to your steering