It’s wise to focus on being a defensive driver. When you’re behind the wheel, your goal should be to avoid accidents and drive safely.
Defensive driving means doing more than just following the law. It does involve simple things like adhering to the speed limit and maintaining a safe following distance, which gives you time to react when other drivers make mistakes. That said, other examples of defensive driving include:
- Anticipating the mistakes of other drivers, such as checking both ways at a green light to ensure no one is running the red light.
- Never assuming that other drivers will act predictably or appropriately. For instance, just because someone has their blinker on doesn’t mean they will turn.
- Staying alert and focused on the road at all times. Defensive drivers watch cars in their mirrors and through the windshield to spot potential errors early and react quickly. Even minor distractions, such as listening to a song on the radio, could delay reaction times and increase the risk of an accident.
In this sense, defensive driving is a mindset that you adopt every time you get in the car.
Does it guarantee you won’t be injured?
Unfortunately, while defensive driving can help reduce risks, nothing guarantees that you won’t be injured in an accident caused by another driver. In some cases, no amount of defensive driving can prevent a crash. For example, if you’re stopped at a red light and a semi-truck driver fails to brake in time, a rear-end collision may be unavoidable – through no fault of your own.
Because you are at the mercy of other drivers and their mistakes, it’s important to know how to seek financial compensation if their negligence leads to injury.