The biggest danger when you take the wheel of a car is the other drivers with whom you share the road. Defensive driving teaches you how to reduce the risk they pose you.
If you have ever driven along and shouted at a driver who cannot hear you not to do something, you will see that you can often spot poor driving before it happens. For instance, you may have said, “Hey, don’t try and pull out in front of me!” to a driver who inched out at the edge of their driveway. If you slow down, it gives you more time to stop if they go ahead and do what you are hoping they won’t.
Here are some other ways to adjust your driving to stay safer on the streets:
- Stay aware of your surroundings: Think about walking through a scary part of town at night. You put your phone away, take out your headphones and pay full attention to the present, scanning in all directions constantly. Doing the same when driving will increase the chance you spot danger of another kind.
- Slow down: Allowing extra time for the journey reduces the need to rush. Staying a little under the speed limit gives you more time to react and avoid a collision. It also reduces the damage if one does occur.
Avoiding a crash is simpler than dealing with the aftermath
You might wonder why you should change your driving to account for other people’s stupidity or bad habits. While you can claim compensation if a driver injures you, it takes a lot of time effort. Combine that with the pain you suffer, and you will see defensive driving makes sense.