Defensive Driving Techniques for Urban Areas

Defensive driving is the skill that enables one to drive safely through the city. It is best performed using a risk-minimising (ie, precautionary) approach. The objective of the approach is first to consider, and then draw on, empirical evidence as this evidence is likely to foster the safety of road users (ie, drivers, passengers and pedestrians).

Indeed, most collisions at intersections are caused by red-light running, and this could be prevented by slowing down.

Maintaining a Safe Distance

Keeeping eyes on the road in front of you is an important part of defensive driving, so you can spot potential problems well in advance, and maintain enough space to brake gently or safely move away if it becomes necessary. Avoiding ‘tailgating’ or following another vehicle too closely reduces the risk of an accident.

It is particularly dangerous for teen drivers, although any driver may be guilty of this if distracted or impatient. Tailgating is also one of the most common causes of car crashes.

As for the cars in front, it is easy to maintain safe distance and most vehicles are equipped with safety devices that make it even easier. In addition, it is extremely important to make sure that your tyres always have enough pressure at any time of the year so the grooving is enough to travel on icy roads. Your safety and that of your passengers has to come first!

Avoiding Distractions

One of the first things we are taught in defensive driving is not to take our eyes — or rather our greater minds — off the road. Anything that removes our focus from the act of driving, be it with eyes or with thoughts, must increase the likelihood of a collision. And thus it warrants treatment as such by keeping as much unto the road as possible.

Distractions mean talking and texting with front-seat passengers, eating, drinking, grooming and daydreaming – which help explain why rear-enders are so common; if you are doing this, slow down or pull to the side so the car in front can safely pass.

You should also check your blind spots frequently and give other drivers the same respect: stay out of their blind spots. Of course, the safe-driving tips I’ve just shared are known ways to minimise your risk of yourself and passengers getting killed or injured in crashes: besides serving as a great insurance policy, it will save you from one or more of these terrible outcomes. It will keep your car functional and safe instead of cutting it into a wreck and hauling it off to the junkyard. It probably will save you from having to pay speeding fines and years’ worth of demerit points in order to renew your licence. And for younger drivers on telematics insurance – which monitors their driving and sometimes allows significant savings – proper driving techniques may just save them thousands of dollars.

Observing Other Drivers

As a driver you need to be constantly on guard for dangerous drivers and their behaviour. Most of us nowadays live in cities and a lot of the traffic accidents are now as a result of irresponsible drivers; defensive driving skills are designed to give you that much needed protection to watch out for those inconsiderate drivers who could get you penalized for demerit points, escalated insurance premiums, cars damaged or even you or your family injured or killed.

If someone is tailgating you, try and pull over into a breakdown lane to give them some space. The likelihood of rear-end car crashes will increase if someone is tailing you. In high traffic zones, always make sure to look before switching lanes, avoiding clipping over into another driver’s lane because car manufactured in recent years have added safety features to avoid blind spot accidents but not against reckless drivers who cross into the limits of traffic law.

Watching for Pedestrians

First, defensive drivers are generally more observant of the road ahead and watchful for potential threats, such as in residential zones with reduced speed levels. Second, because they are prepared for the unexpected — which could be a pedestrian, or some other obstacle that suddenly materialises in front of the moving vehicle — they are more likely to be safe from such dangers and events.

For example, imagine that you are driving down a bike-filled street when a child is chasing a ball into the street – a defensive driver brakes so as to have adequate time to allow the child to reclaim the property, without causing a fatality. All of which is to say what defensive driving actually is: being wary of danger, and being proactive so that one can avoid accidents.

Besides, practising these defensive driving techniques may reduce wear on your vehicle and prolong its life in addition to decreasing its maintenance costs. Moreover, it will reduce engine stress and increase fuel efficiency – which means you’ll spend less on your insurance premium and save some dough. To top it off, you’ll reduce stress and anxiety behind the wheel – achieving, at least, a better mental state.

About Author