Whether preparing for intensive driving courses or having been travelling down the highway for a while, you must always prioritise road safety. Following your local traffic regulations help you avoid legal trouble and accidents. It’s also crucial to prevent property damage.
Sadly, no matter how prepared you are for your incoming travels, there will always be other drivers with unpredictable behaviours that can pose safety hazards. For this reason, you should enrol and practise defensive driving to stay safe and minimise the risk of accidents.
If you’re ready to apply everything you’ve learned in your intensive courses, this article will define defensive driving, its significance, and how to practise it.
What Is Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving means understanding the potential dangers and taking precautions to ensure your and your passengers’ safety while driving. It includes carefully observing road conditions, staying alert and refreshed during long drives, and watching other drivers’ behaviours to identify potential risks before they become hazards.
Why Should You Practise Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving lets you identify potential dangers while driving, which boosts your confidence and prevents you from becoming overwhelmed during a hazardous situation. This confidence also allows you to adapt your driving style to accommodate better the current road, traffic, and weather conditions. Moreover, defensive driving has significantly reduced the number of severe accidents by reacting appropriately and braking early.
How to Drive More Defensively
This section will enumerate seven ways to do it properly.
1. Drive at a Responsible Speed
Driving at high speed increases the likelihood of having an accident, as even a slight increase beyond the limit can significantly increase the chances of crashing. You must always stay within the speed limit and adjust the speed according to the road and weather conditions. You should also know that legal limits may not always be safe in adverse weather conditions.
2. Take a Break
Driving tired is dangerous and can affect your ability to react to changing road conditions. You must take regular breaks when driving long distances and feeling exhausted. Although it may delay your arrival, it’s usually better than risking an accident.
3. Observe Your Surrounding Traffic
Just because you’re a good driver doesn’t mean others on the road are. You can stay safe by observing all the cars around you. You should also check your mirrors often and be aware of any obstacles blocking your view, as accidents can come from any direction. Moreover, knowing your car’s blind spots will also help you understand your surroundings better.
4. Follow the Three-Second Distance Rule
Maintain a distance of three seconds from the car in front of you to prevent crashes, and double the stopping distance to six seconds in adverse weather conditions or at night for added safety.
5. Check Your Mirrors Frequently
Regularly monitor your mirrors to identify road risks and retain a safe distance from vehicles ahead and potential dangers from your car’s rear and sides. Do this multiple times per minute.
6. Check the Road Several Cars Ahead
Hazards can come from places other than immediately near you, like several cars ahead. Check the road ahead and adjust your speed and driving style accordingly.
7. Drive According to the Weather Conditions
Never drive at or near the speed limit in bad weather, as wet roads and excess speed can lead to hazards like aquaplaning and skidding. Also, adjust your speed to the road and weather conditions to avoid accidents.
Conclusion
Road safety is crucial, especially since you could encounter drivers with unpredictable behaviours. You can minimise your risk of getting into accidents by enrolling in intensive driving courses and practising defensive driving.
If you need intensive driving courses in Slough to practise defensive driving, enrol at ENA Driving School! We’re committed to helping pupils gain the competence to be safe, responsible drivers while encouraging them to learn fast. Sign up now!