Driving is one of the activities that you just shouldn’t do without giving it your full attention -even if you’ve been driving since the invention of the steam car. On average, there are about 6 million car accidents that occur in the US every year, with 3 million people injured. Unfortunately, when it comes to driving, safety is a responsibility that’s shared among everyone on the road.
While the rates of car accidents are quite high, the number of accidents that are averted because of safe and defensive driving is far higher. Beginners are adept at learning defensive driving because their ability to form good driving habits and get rid of bad ones is at its peak.
We believe that everyone should practice defensive driving, no matter where they are, here’s why.
What Exactly is Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving can be summed up as being extra careful while also having a calm and clear judgment. You are not panicking, but rather are prepared to act properly for when something goes south at certain points during your drive.
It’s basically a mental list or a mind map that allows you to stay focused on the most important things that ensure your safety on the road. Certain conditions like speed, the status of the road, position from other cars or pedestrians, traffic laws, mirror position, and many others are taken into consideration when you’re defensive driving.
Since defensive driving is synonymous with safe driving, it’s opposite would be aggressive or unsafe driving. Aggressive drivers put other drivers and pedestrians at risk as they willfully and selfishly ignore traffic laws and safety rules; they cause at least one-third of traffic accidents every year. Distracted drivers are those who think they are gifted with multitasking talents that make it alright if they simultaneously do another activity besides driving their car, and they are responsible for around two-thirds of road accidents.
You wouldn’t believe how following simple safety procedures could avert countless deaths and injuries. Half of the deaths from car crashes could’ve been completely avoided if the driver were wearing a seatbelt. Usually, the most important thing when it comes to safe driving is staying focused. If you truly want to ensure that you minimize the chances of a crash, then don’t get distracted and always keep your eyes on the road.
Getting distracted for even a second to groom your hair or send a text can easily transform a fine drive in the morning in a horrible crash. Other important things like airbags, child locks and seats, headrest positions, and other factors that play an active role in defensive driving.
Crash Aversion Techniques
A driver has to be able to quickly identify road hazards and find the safest way possible to avoid them. You’ll learn how to quickly monitor your surroundings as you drive the car, maintain safe distances between you and other drivers, secure time to react properly, avoid environmental hazards, deal with emergencies like flat tires, right of way, and adjust your speed according to the road’s condition. Securing as much knowledge as possible on the most important crash prevention techniques can make driving a much more convenient experience, as it becomes second nature.
Adopting the Proper Mindset
Defensive driving courses offer the trainees the chance to learn not only how to be aware of psychological factors that may affect their driving, but also how to make it safer. Most psychological factors that have little control over the driver’s psyche can be controlled if the driver is under the right mindset.
Unwanted psychological stressors can sometimes be out of our control, but it’s important to keep a positive mindset to help you overcome them properly. Examples of psychological factors include stress, fatigue, anxiety, and anger.
Understanding Drug Influence
Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the main culprits behind a high percentage of car crashes that occur every year. Legally, DUI doesn’t exclusively mean being intoxicated by alcohol, although that is usually the case in most situations. It can also include other drugs that have a strong and a negative influence on drivers.
Defensive driving courses should provide the driver with a lot of information that can help them develop an informed background on how drugs can affect the bodies and reflexes of drivers. Expect to learn about different state’s limits regarding blood-alcohol levels, the effect of drugs on judgment and motor functions, and the legal repercussions of driving under influence.
Getting behind a wheel to control more than a ton of steel is something that should be taken very seriously. Defensive driving, ensures that the driver behind the wheels knows exactly what they’re doing. And if anything goes wrong, they’ll know how to prioritize their safety and others’ above all else.
Interesting related article: “Tired of dim lights while driving?”