You can never be too safe on the road. As a young driver, you’re inexperienced and you don’t always know what to look out for. You might consider yourself to be a safe and cautious driver, but you’d be surprised at how little you might know sometimes. Driving is risky business, so why take chances with safety when you can lower your risks considerably? Enroll in a defensive driver’s course. You’ll be thankful you did.

What do you mean by defensive driving?

It’s one thing to be a safe driver on the road, but what about other drivers who aren’t as careful? Truth be told, not everyone practices safe driving. You’ll find people who’re rash, people who speed, some who drive when inebriated, and others who don’t follow rules. Such drivers not only put their own lives at risk, but also risk lives of other drivers. While you can’t always control how other people drive, you can always be watchful of the way YOU drive. This is where defensive driving comes into play. It is about being an attentive driver, looking out for fellow drivers on the road and proactively avoiding risks of crashes.

What does defensive driving teach you?

It aims to improve driving skills by teaching you how to anticipate situations and make well-timed, well-informed decision that could save your life. Some might perceive defensive driving to be about driving slowly, but if you think about it, it’s actually about smart driving. It’s about adjusting your position on the road, creating space for yourself in such a way that you are out of another driver’s way; maintaining a distance that puts space between you and other drivers and pedestrians on the road.

What skills are honed in a defensive driving course?

The basic skills that are honed in a defensive driving course are:

Staying focused: Driving involves being focused. You’re constantly thinking about your speed, following traffic rules, distance from neighboring vehicles, signs and signals etc. At a time like this, it’s important to make sure you are not distracted by anything- mobiles, eating, talking to fellow passengers etc.

Stay alert: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol impairs your judgment when you’re out driving on the road. Similarly, being tired or sleepy, angry or upset is most likely to affect your attentiveness, causing slower, late reactions. It is important to be well-rested and in a cool, calm frame of mind before getting behind the wheel.

Follow the two-second rule: Considered to be the rule of thumb when driving, the two-second rule requires the driver to stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of them. The aim is to have enough time to hit the brakes if at all a collision is to occur.

What are the benefits of defensive driving?

The benefits of taking a driving class might vary by state, but the most common benefit includes a reduction of points on your driver’s license if you’ve gotten a ticket. Furthermore, it ensures that your online car insurance rates will not go up following the ticket. In some states, taking a defensive driving course can get you a discount on your auto insurance rates with your insurance provider.

When you’re out on the road, it’s important you look out for yourself as well as others. This course teaches you how to be a safer driver when you’re out on the roads.