The term “Defensive Driver” has been used time and again by personnel interested in the reduction of vehicular accidents, both in at work and outside of work. However, what does this term “Defensive Driver” mean?
“Defensive Driver” is an old, but still good, term that is widely used — and misused. It is actually and simply a mixture of courtesy and plain old common sense.
It does not connote a timid driver but, rather, a confident, accident-free driver.
Every truly professional driver is a defensive driver, every instant of his/her driving day.
Let us examine and analyze “Who Is a Defensive Driver?”
There are a few excellent questions to help you assess the degree of “Defensiveness” that exists in your driving pattern.
Here are the questions. Answer them honestly and if the answer to any one is “YES”, you have something of value to learn from the PRO (professional driver).
- Do you often make fast stops? The defensive driver seldom, if ever, has to “hit the brakes”. He/she stays alert to the situation ahead and slows down in advance. Quick stops indicate a failure to foresee trouble in time to avoid a panic stop.
- Do you have close calls at intersections? The defensive driver doesn’t; he/she approaches each and every intersection prepared to deal with sudden and unexpected actions of other drivers. He/she is aware that the other persons may fail to yield the right-of-way.
- Do you have to brake when turning corners? The defensive driver doesn’t; he/she eases up on the gas pedal, brakes down and downshifts prior to reaching the corner. He/she then proceeds around the corner in the lower gear prepared to accelerate when traffic conditions permit.
- Do you have to “hit the brakes” when the driver ahead of you stops short? The defensive driver doesn’t; he/she always stays far enough behind so that he can slow down easily if the car ahead stops short.
- Do you glide past cars that are stopped, preparing to turn? The defensive driver doesn’t; he/she passes with caution, aware that the stopped car may change his/her mind or that there may be a pedestrian in front of the stopped car.
- Do you have “near misses” on corner turns? The defensive driver doesn’t; when driving a vehicle “SQUARES” his/her turns because he/she is aware of the length of his/her apparatus and the resultant fact that the rear wheels will track inside the front wheels.
Safety comes from the mastery of one’s environment and of self. It is won by individual effort and group cooperation. It can be achieved only by informed, alert, Skilful, people who respect themselves and have a regard for the welfare of others. Like a boxer in the ring you need to know how and when to “cover” to protect yourself from the other fellow’s punches. But unlike the fighter, you want to keep the other driver from getting hurt. “Defensive Driving” is a must to avoid accidents in today’s traffic. Once learned and consistently practiced, the principles of “Defensive Driving” become second nature. They simply mean that you drive at all times expecting the other fellow to make an unexpected move which endangers you. To anticipate any one of the many surprise situations, to remain wary of oncoming traffic, to approach every intersection, every pedestrian, bicyclist, or traffic light with suspicion, to always be prepared to react instantly – couple this with courtesy and patience – this is called defensive driving. The driver that drives with all of the above in mind is truly a DEFENSIVE DRIVER.
“Champions are propelled by desire, not compelled by fear”
Denis Waitley
