Want to drastically reduce your chances of getting into an accident?

Look in the mirror.

Yeah, you. We all think we’re good drivers. The problem is, 94% of crashes are caused by people. Human error, that is.

Yep. You read that right. Driving crashes that could have been avoided.

Here’s the deal:

Most people have never been taught defensive driving techniques. We hop in our cars, blindly trust that everyone else on the road can drive, and hope for the best. Problem is: driving hoping for the best doesn’t work when you’re driving around idiots.

Idiots who are distracted. Angry. Tired. Texting. Drinking. Speeding.

You get the point.

This article will teach you defensive driving techniques that actually work.

And by “work,” that means you’ll learn skills that aren’t difficult or fancy… They’re easy things you can do that will drastically lower your chances of getting into an accident.

Some of them could even save your life.

You’ll Learn:

• What Is Defensive Driving?
• Why Defensive Driving Is More Important Than Ever
• The Defensive Driving Techniques That Work
• How To Defensively Drive Around The Most Dangerous Hazards

What Is Defensive Driving?

Picture this:

You and your friend are driving to the same destination. Who’ll get there first?

If you chose your friend because you’re nice, you’d be wrong.

You and your friend will arrive at your destination at the exact same time… if you both drive the speed limit and follow all traffic laws.

BUT – if you drive defensively, you’ll get there WAY before your friend does.

See, defensive driving isn’t about following laws.

It’s about predicting what every other driver on the road is going to do… before they do it. Gaining solid defensive driving skills through driving lessons in Northampton, MA, will allow you to identify potential hazards and react quickly. It’s like playing 4D chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

Regular drivers react to things when they happen.

Defensive drivers anticipate things before they happen.

It’s a small mental shift that makes all the difference between hitting that kid who just ran into the street… Or slamming on your brakes and avoiding him altogether.

The key:

Driving like everyone else around you is going to make a deadly mistake.

Because they will.

Why Defensive Driving Is More Important Than Ever

Want to feel really old?

Talking about driving like it was safer in the “good ole days.”

While overall fatalities are down, we’re actually less safe on our roads than we’ve ever been.

Texting. Blocking traffic. Rolling through stop signs.

And it’s causing senseless deaths.

Over 3,000 fatalities last year were due to distracted driving.

HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS:

Drivers who take defensive driving courses are 33% less likely to be involved in a crash.

THIRTY. THREE. PERCENT.

Can you imagine how many accidents would be avoided if everyone knew defensive driving techniques?

Think about how many medical bills, insurance premium increases, lost-work days, and headaches you could avoid by simply driving defensively.

Not to mention trauma.

Or death.

The Defensive Driving Techniques That Work

Ready to put your new defensive driver hat on?

Here we go.

The 3-Second Rule

If you follow too closely to the car in front of you, you’re asking for trouble.

When the car in front of you passes a fixed object in the road (stop sign, tree, building), you should be able to count “One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three” before your car passes that same object.

That’s called the “3-second rule.”

If you can’t count to three, you’re following that car WAY too close.

Don’t be that person.

Rain? Take it down to 5-6 seconds.

Scan Your Mirrors… ALL. THE. TIME.

You should never take your eyes off the road. Ever.

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be scanning your mirrors.

Check your mirrors constantly. Every 5-8 seconds.

You should also be looking at least 10-12 seconds down the road.

What are you looking for?

Little things like brake lights, turn signals, and other drivers making erratic movements.

Why is this important?

Because most accidents occur because drivers don’t see them coming.

Give yourself as much time as possible to react.

Slow Down

Speed limits are there for a reason.

They’re calculated for PERFECT driving conditions.

Rain? Slow the heck down.

Fog? Pump those brakes some more.

Snow? Take your foot OFF the gas pedal.

Defensive drivers constantly adjust their speed to match road conditions.

Oh, and another fun fact:

The slower you drive, the more options you have.

Need to swerve? Easier at 35 than 55.

Need to slam on your brakes? Your stopping distance will be much shorter at 35.

Don’t Drive Distracted

This should go without saying, but oh boy, does it NOT.

Driving distracted killed more than 3,000 people last year.

Put your phone away.

Far away.

If you NEED to use your GPS, program your destination before you leave and disable your phone from distracting you.

Some other distracted driving behaviors to avoid:

• Eating
• Fiddling with the radio
• Looking for objects in your car
• Long, emotional conversations

Everything else can wait until you reach your destination.

Your focus should be on the road.

Expect EVERYONE To Do The Wrong Thing

This, my friends, is the golden rule of defensive driving.

If there’s a car in an intersection, assume they’re going to run that red light.

See that car driving erratically in your blindspot? Brace yourself for them changing lanes without looking.

You get the point.

If you expect people to drive stupid, you’ll always be one step ahead of the game.

Pretty soon, cautious behavior you learn from defensive driving courses will become second nature.

Then what happens when you do encounter that distracted, aggressive, drunk driver?

You’re ready.

How To Drive Defensively Around The MOST Dangerous Road Hazards

Let’s be realistic. When you’re driving, you’re going to run into a lot of crappy drivers.

Luckily, there are defensive driving techniques you can use to stay calm, predict what they’ll do next, and avoid wrecks.

Aggressive Drivers

Rolling through stop signs. Tailgating. Weaving through traffic.

What’s the BEST thing you can do when you encounter a crappy driver?

Nothing.

Don’t brake check them. Don’t swerve in front of them. Don’t get out of your car and fight them.

Just pull over, let them pass, and go on your way.

Your ego isn’t worth a trip to the hospital.

Bad Weather

Rain makes roads slick. Snow decreases visibility. Ice…

Don’t drive in crappy weather conditions unless absolutely necessary.

If you have to drive, slow down, leave lots of space between yourself and the car in front of you, and turn your lights on.

If the weather is BAD, pull over and wait it out.

No appointment or deadline is worth your life.

Intersections

C’mon folks. You should know this by now.

Always double check for cars when you drive through an intersection.

Even if you have the right of way.

Go ahead and count to two after the light turns green before you start driving.

Let those idiots running those red lights clear the intersection before you drive forward.

Night Driving

Humans can only see 10% of what they see during the day at night.

That means your visibility is reduced by 90% at night.

So pump those brakes and use your damn high beams.

Oh, and if you’re tired?

Pull over and sleep.

Drowsy driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.

Sleep is your friend.

Defensive Driving 101: The Takeaway

There’s no need to fear driving.

Just use defensive driving techniques.

You can’t control what idiot drivers around you do.

You CAN control how you drive.

Every tip in this article boils down to one thing:

Don’t let your guard down.

None of us are perfect drivers. We all make stupid mistakes from time to time.

The difference between you and an aggressive, reckless driver is that you know defensive driving techniques.

Driving the speed limit? Slow down.

Checking your phone? Put it away.

These techniques should be second nature by now.

So the next time you’re driving and someone comes that close to causing a wreck…

Don’t panic.

Remember your training.

You’re gonna be fine.