Seven Defensive Driving Techniques That Could Save Your Life

By Jean Littman

You reckon you are a safe driver, right? No need to enrol in defensive driving classes? It is true that a clear driving record and no involvement in dangerous traffic accidents probably means you are a fairly good driver.

However, serious accidents are becoming more and more common, and are often not the fault of those innocent casualties who are badly injured. Learning basic defensive driving techniques can greatly improve your chances of avoiding death and injury and remaining safe on the road.

Options for learning defensive driving techniques abound. Plenty of driving schools offer defensive driver education, as well as advanced driving programs and online traffic safety courses.

Exhaustive research and analysis into driving accidents and their causes has resulted in the production of the quality learning materials used to teach defensive driving techniques.
Research now shows that drivers who adopt defensive driving as a matter of course have a statistically better chance of avoiding serious injury whilst driving on the roads.

Seven Good Defensive Driving Techniques

1. Always use a seat belt. Statistics show that wearing a seat belt greatly improves the chances of surviving a serious road accident. Many countries regard driving without a seat belt as a traffic violation, making it illegal to drive without a seat belt.

2. Anticipate danger by expanding the line of sight and watching the road ahead. Drivers who adopt defensive driving techniques like this, and leave a good gap between vehicles, are able to brake early and take evasive action in time to avoid danger. It also allows plenty of time to notice others entering a freeway or driving through an intersection. Even on a green light, it is still wise to look for other drivers who may be illegally trying beat a red light.

3. Avoid internal distractions. Making sure your driving mirrors are set before you take off is vital for a clear view in both directions. This also avoids the distraction of adjusting them whilst driving. Avoid talking on the telephone, change the CD player or flick between radio stations. In fact, avoid any distracting activity at all which might take your attention away from the main activity, which is driving safely.

4. Watch yourself in heavy traffic. Experts on defensive driving techniques suggest the greatest risk is when drivers find themselves among a large pack of cars. One careless move by any car in the pack has the potential to affect everyone else. The way to avoid an accident is to safely steer away from the pack of cars towards the front.

5. Steer clear of heavy vehicles. Watch carefully for heavy vehicles in your rear view mirror, and avoid driving in front of or beside them. Particularly avoid trucks with heavy, insecure loads, especially when cornering or rounding bends.

6. Drive with two hands on the wheel. Defensive drivers always grip the steering wheel securely with their hands at the nine and three o'clock positions. This position ensures maximum control of your vehicle at all times.

7. Do not travel in the blind spot of another vehicle. Blind spots can be real trap. A good rule of thumb when overtaking or following other traffic is to remember if you cannot see their mirrors, they cannot see you!

Adopting good defensive driving techniques is like riding a horse. Once learnt and integrated into your daily driving habits, they will stand you in good, safe stead for the rest of your life.
So why should you acquire good defensive driving techniques? That is easy. To avoid serious trauma and injury to you and your loved ones, usually caused by other irresponsible drivers.
Jean Littman is co-owner of DefensiveDriverSense.com which provides quality resources on defensive driving techniques, advanced driving and traffic safety programs.