Monday, 8 October 2012

How defensive driving can keep you safe

To put it simply, defensive driving enables the motor vehicle drivers to drive in such a way that they can anticipate and reduce the dangers caused by other road users or bad road conditions. It helps the motorists to develop good daily driving habits and is something that everyone can learn easily.
Defensive Driving will enable the motorists to address identifiable hazards while on the road and to drive safely. Very often these strategies go well beyond the traffic laws. Defensive driving lessons will help the students to fine hone their driving skills and bring down the risks while driving. It also offers many benefits to the motorists including low insurance rates and a reduction of points on your driver’s license in the event of getting a ticket. Defensive driving classes could extend between 4-8 hours and in some States online defensive driving courses are also available.

Topics covered in a defensive driving course
These courses will help the motorists to develop many skills including the tips to drive a vehicle to the optimum performance. Avoiding obstacles on the road, navigating narrow village roads and mountain paths and steering safely on slippery roads are some of the topics that are covered in this course. The best part of defensive driving is that it will help the motorists develop the ability to anticipate hazards and take steps in advance to prevent and accident instead of simply reacting after it happens.
Defensive driving will enhance your alertness on the happenings around you while you are at the wheel. Once you make defensive driving a habit, it will make you more alert to the risk factors on road and help to avoid accidents. The best part is that a driver who practices defensive driving will be able to control his emotions as he is not easily influenced by the road rage of other drivers on the road. Ever watchful, a defensive driver can quickly spot potential risk factors and can act accordingly to avert mishaps.

A few basic concepts of defensive driving:
  • Start the engine only after securing all the passengers with seat belts.
  • Follow the speed limits and drive slowly during night hours and bad weather conditions.
  • Concentrate on your driving always and be watchful eye for wayward pets or pedestrians along the road.
  • Last but not the least, expect the unexpected and chart out an escape route.