Defensive Driving Safety Tips

The following defensive driving safety tips are essential to becoming a safe driver. Defensive driving is defined as "driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others."

Skip Down to The 5 Rules of Defensive Driving

Don't let others drive your car for you

In other words, the actions of others should not influence you as a driver. Just because everyone around you is driving a certain way (such as speeding through a construction zone), doesn't mean you should necessarily do the same. Heck, most people are awful drivers anyway, why would you want to copy them?! Make your own defensive driving decisions without being influenced by how other people want you to drive. Safe drivers adjust to those around them, but don't become intimidated or influenced by other peoples behavior. If somebody is driving in an unsafe manner, for example, you'll want to increase your following distance. You are, in a sense, expecting them to get into a traffic accident. "Expect the unexpected" is a term often used in drivers education courses. But you should also prepare for the unexpected by always having an emergency escape plan.

As a long haul trucker and CDL driving instructor with a perfect safety record, I've learned the most important techniques to proper defensive driving. These driving safety tips are designed to make you the safest driver possible in the easiest way possible. Not to mention it will lower your stress while driving! Piloting your car is likely the most dangerous activity in your life. You should never stop learning how to become a safer driver and should always strive to become a better one, no matter your level of experience.

The 5 Rules of Defensive Driving

While every situation is different and will require it's own specific course of action, there are 5 very basic driving safety tips that should always be followed while behind the wheel. Read through the advice I've outlined below (even the ones that seem obvious). If you discipline yourself to always follow these 5 rules each and every time you get behind the wheel, you can't help but to be a very safe driver and will likely never have an accident. Anytime you violate these rules, however, you are putting yourself and everyone else around you at risk.

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1. Look Ahead!

Driving courses often teach their students to look ahead while driving. It is natural human instinct to look...READ MORE

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2.Look Around!

The last driving technique I covered was looking ahead. But equally as important is to look around. In other words, don't ever...READ MORE

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3.Have a Plan!

To fully utilize the best defensive driving practices, this step must be followed. You should always...READ MORE

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4.Keep your Distance!

By far one of the easiest, yet most commonly broken rules, is keeping a safe following distance. Even if you follow every other defensive driving technique, you can't possibly...READ MORE

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5.Stay Focused!

Distracted driving has taken the forefront in our media due to the devastating effects of inattentive drivers. While there is still much study that needs to be done...READ MORE

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