This is the reason that you need to be a defensive driver
You might be the best driver you know, but that doesn’t mean you will never experience an accident on the road. This is where defensive driving comes in.
Basil Mann, owner of a driver-training company, Shayela Approved tells us what defensive driving is, ‘Defensive driving is a responsible way of thinking and reacting on the road,’
Defensive driving is all about keeping your guard up, watching for mistakes other drivers might make and being prepared to deal with sudden dangers. Salve Jacobs, coordinator at Toyota Advanced Driving, describes it as a driving technique that’s ‘proactive rather than reactive.’
Defensive driving replaces poor habits that are likely to lead to collisions with good habits that prevent accidents. What distinguishes defensive drivers is their ability to maintain concentration and to anticipate, assess and respond properly to potential hazards.
Driving defensively means thinking ahead. Although you can’t know what other drivers are about to do, you can try to anticipate their next move. Staying alert to all that is happening on the road is vital if you’re to be able to react quickly and well to anything unexpected.
Defensive driving techniques are simple and logical but many people ignore them, to their detriment. For example, a basic defensive driving rule is to put enough distance between you and the car in front to avoid rear-ending it. You should allow a two-second gap between you in town, a three-second gap when on the highway, and a gap of four seconds or more in bad weather.
Another good habit is to stay in your lane. Frequent lane changing increases the risk of accidents and slows traffic flow. It seldom gets you to your destination significantly sooner, and you’ll arrive more stressed than you would have had you driven more sensibly.
Defensive driving can also save you money. By driving defensively you can use between l5% and 30% less fuel, and also save on wear-and-tear items such as brake packs.
Getting defensive driving training could also save you on insurance costs. ‘We believe that it’s high time we encourage road users to invest in their survival,’ says Mann.
Do you want to be a defensive driver? If you don’t already have the necessary skills or info, you can opt for a defensive driving course.
AA Driver Training offers the AA Anti-Collision Course, a defensive driving course that equips you to avoid collisions and dangerous situations. The course consists of a theory seminar, a practical 45-minute training session and a 45-minute defensive driving test a few weeks later. Alternatively, BMW and Volkswagen both offer related courses.