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| Defensive Driving |
If you would like to drive safely, then driving defensively is important. Defensive driving involves making decisions that minimize the likelihood of a crash and minimizes the risk of injury to yourself and the occupants of your vehicle.
The factors involved in defensive
driving are:
- The person driving the vehicle.
As a driver, your decision-making
process will be influenced by your own physical condition, skill, perception,
personality, driving habits, attitude, driving history, fatigue, and a whole
host of other factors. However, for the sake of our discussion, we will assume
that all of your driving behaviours are correct, safe, and lawful. With this in
mind, if you want to drive defensively, then the best thing you can do is avoid
doing anything that might trigger your instincts to be untrustworthy and risky.
In other words, the more you can avoid driving irresponsibly, the less likely
you will be to make an inappropriate or untrustworthy driving decision.
- The vehicles involved in the
collision.
This sounds like a no-brainer, but
it is an area that most people do not pay attention to. First, when you
consider the difference between two identical vehicles, the vehicle you drive
is far more important to the outcomes of your collisions than the vehicle that
crashes into you. Second, as it relates to your vehicle, your driving decision
process will be influenced by the features of your vehicle, including but not
limited to your seatbelts, door locks, seat belts, windows, mirrors, lights,
speed, seat heating and ventilation systems, brakes, steering, transmission,
and suspension.
- The environmental factors that
contribute to the collision.
First, when considering the
difference between two vehicles, the traffic conditions that surround each of
them will have a significant impact on the outcomes of their collisions.
Secondly, if you are concerned about
environmental factors, then the most important thing you can do is be a
responsible driver and avoid any environmental factors that may trigger your
instinct to drive in a risky and untrustworthy manner.
- The impact of fatigue on your
ability to respond safely.
Fatigue is a physiological state
that is characterised by reduced alertness, decreased mental acuity, impaired
physical coordination, and decreased reflexes. Fatigue can also reduce your
judgement, reaction time, vigilance, perception, and motor skills. Fatigue also
alters your driving behaviours and decisions and makes you untrustworthy and
prone to inappropriate and risky driving decisions.
- The state of the roadway
environment:
First, when you are considering the
roadway environment, you should recognize that the roadway environment is
constantly in a state of change. The roadway environment is dynamic and the
conditions that are present on the roadway will vary based on the time of day,
season of the year, weather conditions, construction signs, road signs and
markings, weather conditions, etc. The number of vehicles on the road and the
speed at which they travel will also affect the roadway environment.
In order to achieve your own
defensive driving skills, you need to practice these skills on the road, and
this is where defensive driving training can help.
- Distraction:
Distractions are one of the most
dangerous aspects of driving. Many drivers believe they cannot be held
responsible for the actions of others while driving. What causes a passenger to
become distracted? There are numerous reasons for this, ranging from
looking at the road to texting or conversing with the driver. A distraction can
be obtained by, for example, reading a magazine, conversing with a passenger,
or even looking out the window. It could be a distraction from you or the other
passenger in your seat. The usual suspects are: listening to music,
reading, looking at the phone, and texting.
- Other factors:
Time of day and weather also have an
impact on your defensive driving. Due to extreme cold or temperature, a driver
may be unable to drive well at times.
Defensive driving laws vary from
state to state, but a few rules do remain:
- Stop at a solid red light or
signal and don’t roll through, even if someone is flashing the light. Roll
through only if you can do so without putting you, passengers on the road,
your vehicle, or other vehicles on the road in danger.
- Only use your turn signal when
changing lanes or turning.
- Follow the rules of the road,
like signaling your turn, keeping a safe distance from the car in front of
you, and not exceeding the speed limit.
- Make sure you’re paying
attention to the road. If you need to, use the car’s cruise control or
engage the emergency brake to slow your vehicle when needed.
- Don’t drive drunk, and never
drive under the influence of drugs. If you are driving under the influence
of drugs, you could be arrested, receive a heavy fine, and lose your
license for a very long time. Moreover, it might result in accidents.
- Make sure your seatbelts are in
a snug position, and that your car seat has a secure harness.
- Check your car for any hidden defects,
and make sure you’re getting enough oil, even if you are driving on a
highway.
- Clean out your windshield wiper
fluid, and make sure that you’re keeping your windshield clean.
- Make sure that your lights are
working and in proper working order, so that you can be seen.
- Always drive at the maximum
safe speed in poor conditions.