People have been driving cars for well over 100 years, but it seems we still haven't mastered how to drive them safely.1 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2015, there were 35,092 people killed in car crashes - a 7.2 percent increase from the year before.2
Why the spike? Drivers today report they routinely text and check email while driving, and even admit to hitting the road after having a few drinks or not getting enough sleep.3 Even though modern cars are more adept at protecting occupants in a crash than ever before, and many new cars have advanced driver assistance systems that can step in and help prevent a crash, there's still no substitute for an able and aware driver. That's where you and your defensive driving skills come in.
What Is Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving is a set of skills that you can use to reduce your risk of a crash. At its heart, defensive driving is made up of practices you can - and should - use every time you get behind the wheel.4
To practice defensive driving, follow these tips:
1. Take a wide view: Always give yourself time and space to react to risks. Look far down the road ahead of you to see what's coming well in advance. Don't forget to look behind you as well. Your car has mirrors for a reason, and they'll let you see risks early to help you avoid them - like a speeding driver approaching a little too fast behind you.
2. Identify risks and plan your reaction: As you look far ahead, scan for hazards. This can include things like an upcoming work zone, a merge area, a driver behaving erratically, a truck with unsecured cargo, or even children playing near the road. When you see a potential hazard, plan for how you’ll deal with it. For example, if you see a merge area ahead, you can change lanes or adjust your speed to give merging cars more space.
3. Slow down: When you drive too fast, you have less time and space to deal with risks. Slowing down gives you more time to safely react. Keep an eye out for speed limit signs and follow them.
Why the spike? Drivers today report they routinely text and check email while driving, and even admit to hitting the road after having a few drinks or not getting enough sleep.3 Even though modern cars are more adept at protecting occupants in a crash than ever before, and many new cars have advanced driver assistance systems that can step in and help prevent a crash, there's still no substitute for an able and aware driver. That's where you and your defensive driving skills come in.
What Is Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving is a set of skills that you can use to reduce your risk of a crash. At its heart, defensive driving is made up of practices you can - and should - use every time you get behind the wheel.4
To practice defensive driving, follow these tips:
1. Take a wide view: Always give yourself time and space to react to risks. Look far down the road ahead of you to see what's coming well in advance. Don't forget to look behind you as well. Your car has mirrors for a reason, and they'll let you see risks early to help you avoid them - like a speeding driver approaching a little too fast behind you.
2. Identify risks and plan your reaction: As you look far ahead, scan for hazards. This can include things like an upcoming work zone, a merge area, a driver behaving erratically, a truck with unsecured cargo, or even children playing near the road. When you see a potential hazard, plan for how you’ll deal with it. For example, if you see a merge area ahead, you can change lanes or adjust your speed to give merging cars more space.
3. Slow down: When you drive too fast, you have less time and space to deal with risks. Slowing down gives you more time to safely react. Keep an eye out for speed limit signs and follow them.