subject: What Does Defensive Driving Mean? [print this page] Defensive driving means driving in a way that makes use of safe driving techniques to help you to identify hazards and that allows you to respond appropriately to all driving conditions. Essentially, defensive driving goes beyond simply driving safely and obeying the rules of the road. Defensive driving means being proactive to account for the behavior of others as well as for other likely causes of crashes so that you can significantly reduce the risk of a car crash.
What is Involved in Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving involves reducing risks, anticipating the behavior of other drivers and making informed and safe decisions when operating a vehicle. Defensive driving means understanding all of the factors that affect your driving and the driving of others on the road and that can lead to crashes. For example, defensive driving addresses the psychological factors of driving, such as road rage and fatigue. Defensive driving also helps drivers to understand and be on the look out for human factors that can cause a crash, including distracted or drunk drivers.
When a driver operates a vehicle in a defensive matter, he prepares rather than reacts. This means that the driver regularly scans the streets and traffic around him in order to adapt his driving to what is going on. A driver who drives defensively maintains a safe following distance between his vehicle and the vehicles in front of him and knows the stopping distance on his own car. A defensive driver also knows how to respond to environmental risks such as rain, snow and slippery roads, and knows what to do in the event of a vehicle or weather emergency. Finally, a defensive driver is well-versed in how to share the road safely. This includes knowing how to pass another vehicle safely, understanding the right-of-way rules and otherwise being aware of how best to interact with other drivers.
How to learn Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving is not something every driver does, but fortunately it is a skill that can be taught and it is not hard to learn. In order to improve your driving skills and become a more defensive driver, it is possible to take a defensive driving course either in your local area or over the Internet.
Defensive driving courses are the classes that many people take when they receive a ticket and want to avoid getting points on their driving record because of that ticket. However, avoiding points is not the only reason to take a defensive driving course and it is not even the most important reason. The most important reason to complete a defensive driving course is to learn the skills needed to drive as safely as possible.
Online defensive driving classes offer an easy way for any driver to take a defensive driving course in order to become the best driver possible. You can take the course at your convenience from the comfort of your home or anywhere where an Internet connection exists. Choose a course approved by your state and sign up for an online defensive driving course today to take the first step towards becoming a safer driver.
