What Is Defensive Driving and Why Should You Care?

Whether you’re a new driver that has recently acquired their license or you’re a seasoned veteran with thousands of miles under the belt, the concept of defensive driving is probably something that you inherently understand already. However, without the right assistance and direction, it can be difficult to truly grasp what defensive driving is and how you can take advantage of it.

So what exactly are the benefits of defensive driving and why should you care? In this article, we’ll be covering those points to help convince you to learn more about defensive driving.

What is defensive driving?

Defensive driving essentially means driving in a way that is safer and more passive. It relies on predicting potential accidents and identifying hazardous situations so that you can prevent yourself from getting into an unavoidable situation in the first place. For instance, if you notice a driver making erratic or strange movements ahead of you, then a defensive driver will likely slow down and try to avoid getting into the vicinity of them to avoid a potential accident.

It also involves retraining your mind to stop assuming what other people might or might not do. For example, you might assume that a driver can see you since they’re pulling out of a side road, but a defensive driver will always be prepared for a situation where they do not see you and drive out in front of you because they haven’t noticed you.

It’s these careless types of drivers that can easily cause accidents which could lead to car wrecks and even fatal accidents. That’s why defensive driving is so important; because it helps to train your awareness.

What can defensive driving offer me?

• Lowered chance of car accidents. The last thing we want is to contact a car wreck attorney because of someone else’s mistake. Sure, you might get compensation from it and legal professionals are always willing to help, but everyone would love to avoid getting into a crash in the first place because it’s scary, costly and time-consuming to deal with.
• Greatly improves your awareness of the road, thus increasing your reaction speed. This will help you avoid accidents should they occur and you’ll be more prepared to make a sharp break or turn should something happen.
• Peace of mind knowing that you’ve refined your driving skills. Whether you’re commuting to and from work at night or going on a road trip, your improved driving skills will make you more confident in your driving ability. Defensive driving courses can be a fantastic way to make you more comfortable with driving.

Defensive driving courses usually cost money, especially if you’re getting them from a reputable driving instructor or company. This might put off a lot of people, but it’s well worth the cost given how much of an impact it can have on your driving ability and safety in a car. We highly recommend defensive driving courses for added peace of mind, but also to learn new practical driving skills that can take you far in life.