How to Learn Defensive Driving
Driving is as much about a driver's state of mind and awareness as it is about technique or skill. Today, driving and safety are directly linked to what follows a driver into their car. This includes emotions, distractions, conversations and anything else taking a driver's singular focus from the road itself. Driving has become further complicated by cars becoming more powerful and better handling.
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Attitude is the most often overlooked and most important key to defensive driving. A driver's attitude directly corresponds with their patience, focus, judgment and decision-making on the road. A driver who is more in control of their attitude is less likely to exercise poor judgment or make careless mistakes affecting others on the road. Attitude directly corresponds to how a driver physically operates a vehicle: an emotional driver might tend to drive more recklessly compared to a calm driver, who might allow more space and operate their vehicle more cautiously. By regulating and controlling attitude, many drivers can immediately improve their defensive driving awareness and physical responses.
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Anticipation is another critical element of defensive driving. Looking further ahead than the car in front and keenly observing traffic up the road provides a driver with time to react to situations. The more time a driver allows for adjusting to changing circumstances ahead, the safer and less erratic their avoidance measures will be. Anticipation reduces the impact of dangerous conditions on the driver and other drivers around him.
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Reducing distractions while driving is critical to defensive driving. A driver cannot defensively react, if necessary, unless attention-craving distractions are minimized or completely eliminated. Distractions such as cell phones, smart phones, radios and eating are among the top suspects. These activities divert a driver's attention and anticipation away from road activity and other drivers. Defensive Driving With Uncle Bob claims that at 60 miles per hour, a vehicle travels approximately 90 feet over the duration of one second. For every second diverted away from driving at 60 miles per hour, a driver loses approximately 90 feet of anticipation and reaction time. The moral of this story is that a driver who is not distracted will see road events before they happen.
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Anticipation and attitude aside, observing the law and remaining focused are critical. By observing speed limits and rules of the road, a driver can use defensive driving techniques effectively. Without these basic elements, the effectiveness of defensive driving techniques will be minimized or even lost.
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