Defensive Driving 101 – Tips to Improve Your Safety
Written by Team Clearcover | July 20th, 2021
7 minute read
What is defensive driving?
If you’ve ever taken a driver’s ed course, chances are you’ve heard of the term “defensive driving”. If you’ve never seen the phrase or you’re rusty on what it means, don’t worry: here’s a definition of the term, straight from Driver’s Ed:
It is a set of driving skills that allows you to defend yourself against possible collisions caused by bad drivers, drunk drivers, and poor weather.
What are the benefits of defensive driving?
Defensive driving skills can help you become more alert, focused, and predictable on the road. Being a defensive driver can keep you safe and accident-free. It can even help you save money by reducing your car insurance premium.
Want to learn how to stay safe on the road and save money? Check out these 5 defensive driving tips.
Understand the Smith System
If you want to remember the core principles of defensive driving, try using the Smith System.
The system was developed in 1952 to increase the safety of commercial drivers, but its rules apply just as well to general road safety. This method relies on using five rules while driving and encourages space, visibility, and time to reduce the chance of a major accident.
Aim high: Try and look ahead to where you’ll be about 15 seconds into the future.
Get the big picture: Remember to view the road as a whole, and not just what’s in front of you. Be sure to check both your sides and behind you to get the full view.
Keep your eyes moving: Stay alert by consistently moving your eyes. This prevents your body from entering a trance state and keeps you aware of driving conditions ahead.
Leave yourself an out: Be prepared for the worst-case scenario and always leave adequate space between you and other vehicles. Leave one side open to reduce your chances of an accident.
Make sure they see you: Stay visible! Make eye contact with other drivers, and use your blinker or horn when necessary.
Learn more about the Smith System at PAM Driving Jobs.
Predict risk
Learning how to predict and be prepared for risky situations is a key factor of defensive driving.
Being aware of other drivers on the road isn’t enough; in order to be a good defensive driver, you should be able to spot risks and make predictions of what can happen.
Once you’ve spotted a risk, try to come up with a game plan or strategy for worst-case scenarios. It’s also worth evaluating what will happen if you don’t take action against a dangerous situation. Take these hypothetical scenarios, for example:
You are driving down a road with heavy traffic when you notice that the vehicle behind you is tailgating you.
Do you….
Confront them and let them know that tailgating isn’t cool.
Speed up and pass them so they know you’re in front. You have somewhere to be too!
Pull your vehicle over and let them pass you.
Don’t do anything at all; if they wanted to pass you, they would have.
If you answered C, you know how to predict and handle risk like an expert defensive driver. Although it might be tempting to stay ahead or just let them do their thing, it’s best to exercise patience and let them go in front. Allowing a risky driver to pass you keeps both you and them safe and accident-free.
Test your defensive driving skills with more example scenarios from The Handyman.
This segues perfectly into our next point…
Avoid road rage
We’ve all felt frustration while driving at some point, but staying level-headed makes you a better defensive driver.
Road rage is hard to quantify, but learning how to deal with aggressive drivers can actually reduce your chances of ending up in an accident. According to a 2021 article from The Zebra, the number of road rage-related fatal car accidents was up to 467, up 500% in just 9 years.
Even if you stay calm through stressful situations, you’ll most likely have to deal with other aggressive drivers on the road at some point.
How do you deal with aggressive drivers?
Try to avoid actions that could potentially irritate other drivers.
Yield when possible, and consider letting the car in front of you go first. Don’t obstruct traffic by driving slower than everyone else; try and keep up with the natural flow of the road. Be sure to use your signals and give other drivers enough space to breathe. Although you want to be seen and heard, try not to use your horn unless absolutely necessary.
Don’t engage!
Do not establish eye contact with aggressive drivers, and do not respond or react to rude insults/gestures. Avoid trying to gain the upper hand by confronting the driver. The only time you should interact with them is when you want to back off and give them room to leave.
Be kind.
Try not to take things to heart while driving, and have empathy for others. Even though it may feel personal, aggressive driving is not usually intentional. Distracted driving, personal stress, and lack of sleep all can contribute to road rage. Road rage is a lose/lose situation that could cost you your life, so a little kindness can go a long way.
Learn how to drive in poor weather conditions
Defensive driving doesn’t just prevent accidents caused by other drivers – it can also prevent accidents from poor weather with the right preparation.
It’s important to use defensive driving in adverse weather conditions like snow, fog, and rain. If you’ve only driven during clear, sunny days, try to practice driving in bad weather conditions in safe areas like driveways and empty parking lots.
Prepare for the road ahead.
It’s always important to give yourself enough time to react with defensive driving, but it especially matters when you are driving in bad weather. Give yourself more time to reach your destination, even if you don’t usually need it. This will reduce your chances of speeding and stress.
Make sure that your car can handle the weather before heading out. Have your tires and brakes checked more frequently, and be sure that your windshield wipers are in working order. Keep your headlights clean, and consider equipping your car with all-season tires (especially if you live in an area with snow!).
Be sure to turn on your headlights while driving; rain and/or fog can significantly reduce your visibility. Turning on your headlights allows you to see other drivers better, and also makes it easier for other drivers to spot you.
Want more tips about driving in bad weather? Watch this video from the DMV.
Be predictable
The best kind of defensive driver is also the most predictable one.
No one likes being surprised by another driver cutting through at the last minute. Unpredictable drivers will have you slamming on your brakes and swerving through traffic to avoid an accident.
This ability requires lots of practice, communication, and intention to execute – but with practice, predictability will take your defensive driving skills up a notch.
So how can you be a predictable driver?
Plan ahead.
Change lanes before you’re about to exit off the freeway. Try to be proactive and get yourself into position early so that you and other drivers have the time and space to react/adjust. Avoid switching lanes frequently if possible, and try to keep your actions consistent. If you know you’re going to miss your exit, don’t try and correct yourself – instead, keep driving until you find the next exit.
Confused about where to go, or don’t know what address you’re heading to? Don’t stop in the middle of the road because other drivers might not be expecting your sudden halt. Instead, try pulling off to the side of the road or a parking lot until you figure out your game plan.
Communicate!
Make sure that other drivers are aware of your future actions. Always use your blinkers right before you make a turn or change lanes, even if there’s no one behind you. It’s better to make it a habit instead of putting yourself at risk.
While it’s good to communicate your own actions, don’t try to play traffic controller for others on the road. While you might want to be nice and let others go in front of you, it’s easier for everyone if you just focus on your own driving.
Can defensive driving lower my car insurance?
The good news: defensive driving keeps you safe while helping you save money on car insurance. Defensive driving can help you get the clean record you need to start saving on car insurance. Having no accidents or tickets on your file can lower your auto insurance premium.
If you already have accidents or tickets on your record, taking a defensive driver course can actually reduce your license points (depending on the state), which can result in lower car insurance rates.
Defensive drivers can save on car insurance with Clearcover
Looking to save money on car insurance? Clearcover offers discounts to drivers that take approved defensive driving courses in select states. We offer better coverage for less money and make insurance even easier through our digital car insurance app. Get your own policy, access 24/7 roadside assistance, and file claims on your own! We put insurance back into your own hands – so you have more time to do the things you love.
Find out how much money (and time) you can save! Get a quote now.
