Defensive driving is a great way for both new and experienced drivers to stay safe on the roads, but what exactly is it?
Here we take a look at what defensive driving is and the techniques you can use behind the wheel to help keep yourself and other road users safe.
What is defensive driving?
Defensive driving is essentially using your observational skills that you learned whilst learning to drive and applying them to the rules of the road. This will help keep you safe and avoid dangerous situations, whether you’re a young driver or an experienced one.
Similarly to your hazard perception test, it is about keeping vigilant and being prepared to act when necessary. Whilst you can’t predict what other drivers are going to do, you can control your actions to keep you and others safe.
Adopting defensive driving techniques will help you react quickly to other drivers and, in turn, avoid accidents.
What are the benefits of defensive driving?
The biggest benefit is keeping yourself as safe as possible when driving on the road by significantly reducing the chances that you get into an accident. The more you pay attention to what is happening around you, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to do this.
You’ll also be able to reduce any stress or anxiety that you may have when taking to the road for the first time after passing your test.
Proving that you’re a safe driver will also help reduce your driving insurance premium, especially if you have a black box fitted.
Defensive driving techniques
There are a number of techniques you can use to drive defensively.
Keep your distance
Keeping your distance from the vehicle in front of you is incredibly important when driving because you never know when the car in front may suddenly stop.
If you’re too close, you will end up hitting their rear and causing an accident. When you’re following another vehicle, make sure it takes you at least three seconds to catch up with them should they come to a sudden halt.
Give yourself double the stopping time at night or in bad weather – six seconds – for extra safety.
Adjust your driving for the weather
A change in weather can make a big difference when driving. If it’s raining heavily you will need to adjust your stopping distance, decrease your speed and ensure you have enough braking time when approaching traffic lights, junctions, roundabouts and anywhere that requires you to stop, as the roads will be slicker than normal.
Your visibility may also be affected by fog, snow or low light. Turning your headlights on, even if they’re set to automatic in newer cars, is a great way to ensure other road users can see you.
Just make sure you only use high beams in low-traffic areas as you don’t want to confuse oncoming drivers.
Look several cars ahead
If you’re able to, you should be looking several cars ahead of the one in front of you in order to read the road ahead. This is because accidents that can affect you don’t always happen directly in front of you; sometimes they can be a number of vehicles ahead.
Don’t just match the speed or driving lines of the car in front of you, check the road several vehicles ahead to see what is happening to avoid any upcoming hazards such as buses stopping at bus stops, lane congestion, pedestrian crossings, traffic jams and road works.
By observing your surroundings closely and carefully, you can anticipate problems before they happen and make necessary changes to avoid them.
Frequently check your mirrors
It’s important to check your mirrors frequently to spot potential hazards. Speeding cars, emergency vehicles and drivers behaving unpredictably can go unnoticed when you only focus on what’s ahead of you.
It may seem like a rudimentary rule, but there’s a reason why your instructor drummed it into you to keep checking your mirrors. Doing this regularly will help keep you safe on the road.
Take your time
Speeding from one destination to another is not only dangerous but you could even be breaking the law if you go over the speed limit.
Suddenly changing your speed can often lead to incidents. For example, if you pull away quickly from traffic lights and then reach a traffic jam, the vehicle behind may assume it’s safe to speed up as well and may not be able to brake in time before bumping into you.
It’s always best to travel at a steady pace.
Make yourself seen
A lot of accidents happen because a driver isn’t able to see another vehicle. Larger vehicles like trucks have a lot of blind spots, so you should always act as if the driver can’t see you.
If in doubt, make use of turn signals, headlights or brake lights. In addition, make sure you give your car frequent checks to make sure everything’s working as it should.
Car insurance with Sterling
Wherever you park, you’ll want the right insurance. That’s where the experts at Sterling can help you out.
Get a car insurance quote by calling us on 0344 381 9990 or request a callback at a time that suits you.
