Driving is an activity that every person must learn. From gaining experience in the beginning, to eventually gaining a driver’s license and becoming a fully capable driver. The road is full of peril for new fresh-faced drivers, so having some defensive driving techniques will go a long way.
The Need for Defensive Driving Education for Students
The need for defensive driving education is something that should be taught in schools because it is a vital part of being a good driver.
Defensive driving education is designed to teach drivers how to drive in a manner that minimises the risk of getting into an accident. This helps protect your vehicle, passengers, and the other drivers out on the road. Defensive driving also teaches drivers about road laws and how to observe other drivers and their behaviours.
Things to Know to Be Good at Driving
Check out these things below to help you become a good defensive driver:
1. Always Think Safety First
Always keep safety in mind when you’re out on the road. Driving defensively is a great way to mitigate risk and keep yourself and others safe in the process. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your driving style. You can do plenty of things to drive safely without being a big pushover.
2. Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
Always take a moment to survey your surroundings before you switch to drive. It’s important to look for anything that could present a danger to you, your passengers, or other drivers. Look out for potholes, damaged roads, and anything else that could make the road less safe.
Check your blind spots before switching lanes, and always be mindful of pedestrians.
3. Don’t Rely on Other Drivers
Driving defensively doesn’t mean you have to rely on other drivers to drive safely. It’s important to take the initiative and do your part, even if other people aren’t.
This means keeping your eyes on the road and not checking your phone while you’re stopped at a red light. You can avoid distracted driving by pulling over to complete your call or sending a text instead.
It’s also important to change lanes safely. Make sure to use your signals, look over your shoulder, and wait for an opening in traffic before you put your blinker on and try to change lanes.
4. Be Patient
Being patient is an important part of being a defensive driver. Learn to wait your turn and never tailgate. Always maintain a safe distance between you and other drivers, and don’t take it personally if someone doesn’t let you into their lane.
5. Follow the 3- to 4-Second Rule
A lot of people find it hard to follow the three to four-second rule. This rule says that you should always maintain a distance of at least two to three seconds between you and the car in front of you.
By following this rule, you’ll maintain a fairly safe distance in case other drivers do something unexpected. It also helps you slow down when you need to, which is great in case you need to avoid an accident or change lanes.
Drive Safely
Learning how to drive defensively is a great way to become a better driver and keep yourself safe on the road. It is always good to develop your driving skills, and it is great to explore different driving philosophies so you can decide which one works best for you.
Of course, there are plenty of ways to learn how to drive defensively. And if you want, you can also take a defensive driving course for a more structured lesson. Having that type of experience under your belt can be a great start to your driving career.
Get the best driving lessons in Surrey and Langley here at Midtown Driving School. Our classes are designed with the busy student in mind. Therefore, we have a flexible system that lets students take the classes in any order they wish at their own pace. Contact us today.
