Guidelines on Defensive Driving

No matter how much Driving experience you have, remember that defensive driving skills are the greatest approach to drive safely. Driving defensively is always good in all driving situations. Being aware of your surroundings has the potential to improve your driving safety.

So, what exactly is a defensive driver? A motorist who is exceedingly cautious and aware of his or her surroundings; the person who continually plans ahead and prepares to deal with worst-case scenarios in the most effective way.

Simple Guidelines for a Defensive Driver

Are you looking for tips on how to drive conservatively in order to protect yourself and other road users?

Develop your defensive driving skills by following the driving advice provided below. It will not only teach you defensive driving, but it will also reduce the likelihood of an accident occurring.

#1 Scan your Surroundings

One of the best defensive driving practises is to scan your surroundings quickly, efficiently, and precisely. You must practise to improve your Eye lead time. According to safety standards, an eye lead time for highway driving should not exceed 20 to 30 seconds, while it should be kept between 12 and 15 seconds only when driving in cities. The shorter time is caused by dense metropolitan traffic, fast moving vehicles, and an increased likelihood of collisions.

If you have a keen eye, you can anticipate potential hazards on the road ahead. With adequate time, you can plan your safe manoeuvre to reduce the possibility of driving hazards.

#2 Maintain a Safe Distance from other vehicles

The likelihood of an accident increases when the car moves ahead. So, what are your alternatives? The solution is straightforward: keep a safe following distance. The distance must be at least 3-4 seconds long. These seconds will be plenty to allow you to pause and come to a complete stop. Harsh braking could cause serious physical injury.

Whether driving on highways, highways, country roads, or city streets, keep a safe cushion distance from vehicles travelling ahead, behind, or on the sides. In rainy, stormy, foggy, or snowy weather, it is advisable to increase the distance.

#3 Trust your driving skills

Let’s concentrate on two major points here.

First, have faith in your ability to drive and in your capacity to make sound decisions. Confusion on the road can lead to chaos. Second, always prioritise your own needs over those of others. Before you can defend others, you must first ensure your own safety. Placing your safety first does not imply that the driver should drive selfishly and wildly. You must be considerate to other drivers. Therefore, always construct a safe driving pattern with the assumption that the other motorist would not be concerned with safety.

#4 Improved Visibility

Driving is not permitted if vision is impaired. There are numerous strategies for increasing visibility depending on the environment. Keep the windscreen, mirrors, and windows clean. Repair any cracked or damaged headlights as soon as possible. There is no room for experimentation. Use a defogger and fog headlights when it’s foggy outdoors. When it’s snowing, don’t forget to fully thaw the ice.

#5 Clear Communication

Clear communication is the foundation of safe driving. Whether you use hand signals or external lights, you should always be clear about your intentions and let other drivers know what your next action will be. Clear and effective communication will aid in the prevention of problems. Maintain eye contact, make sure everyone can see your hand signal, always use indicators, and never forget to turn on emergency lights if you have them.

#6 Beware of Blind Spots

Both parties are at blame when a driver argues he was unable to predict the collision since the automobile arrived out of his blind spot. Mirrors are installed for a reason, and they should be used whenever possible. Although every automobile has a blind spot, the rear-view, passenger, and driver’s side mirrors all play an important role in keeping you informed of your surroundings. Make the most of the situation by utilising your peripheral vision and arranging a safe escape.

#7 Be cautious at intersections

Junctions are unquestionably high-risk areas because they bring together a significant number of automobiles travelling in opposite directions. Although traffic lights indicate when vehicles should turn or stop, red-light runners can cause havoc. It is always safer to utilise the defensive strategy and slow down at the junction so that you may easily stop if necessary.

#8 Be Aware

Driving requires alertness. To drive safely, you must be aware of your surroundings at all times. Although awareness and eye lead time are equal, we might argue that awareness extends beyond mere road scanning in anticipation. Being attentive means being aware of everything going on around you, including which car is in front of or behind you. Attention and focus are synonyms for awareness.

Keep an eye out for all traffic lights. Take special note of any road signage. Pay attention to everything, including pedestrians, cyclists, and even animals. Keep your eyes on the road and avoid becoming side-tracked. Keep an eye out in your mirrors for any unexpected vehicles and be prepared to handle any driving circumstance.

NIST Global offers Defensive Driving Training

At NIST Global, we provide Defensive Driving Training for corporations, industries, and others whose employees may need to improve their driving skills in order to avoid an accident or harm. Defensive driving instruction assists delegates in understanding traffic laws, safe driving tactics, and basic car mechanics. The primary goals of the online defensive driving course are to reduce risk by anticipating potentially risky scenarios, inclement weather, and driving errors. Defensive driving, in addition to assisting the driver in driving safely, reduces the likelihood and severity of car accidents. Defensive driving certification will be beneficial to drivers working by enterprises, factories, or other workplaces.

For more information about Defensive Driving Instruction, please contact our client service team at +91 8754465588 / [email protected].