The Defensive Driving Skills Guide

© 2016 I Drive Safely. All Rights Reserved.www.idrivesafely.com

© 2016 I Drive Safely. All Rights Reserved.www.idrivesafely.com

DRIVE DEFENSIVELY!

You probably heard this long before you first got behind a wheel. And you’ll keep hearing it, for good reason. These days and nights, driving is more hazardous than ever. Not just from those weather and traffic conditions you can’t control, but other drivers and other distractions. Is he on his phone? Was she just texting? Did your phone just ring?

While many of today’s car models come with features and technologies to help reduce hazards, road incidents can happen. Driving defensively can lower the odds of them happening to you. Knowing the rules of the road, keeping your driving environment as clean and clear as possible, and reading traffic and weather conditions from moment to moment—that’s driving defensively. And that’s driving smart.

Let’s explore how...

© 2016 I Drive Safely. All Rights Reserved.www.idrivesafely.com

Leave a Safety SpaceOne-one-thousand, two-one-thousand,

three-one-thousand…

You’re the quarterback. That’s because at

55 mph, your car will travel almost the full

length of a football field in one second--80

yards. And at only 25 mph, in one second

you still travel 12 yards. And if you can

travel that far in that amount of time, so

can others.

Give yourself space. Literally, 3 seconds at

whatever speed you’re going is a good rule

to follow, especially when conditions like

the weather, traffic, and geography

change. That storm isn’t going anywhere.

But you are. And check yourself against

your own tendency to speed up or

slow down.

Look Ahead For HazardsStay informed to stay ahead. Road signs

and traffic alerts—both visual and

auditory—provide lots of information to

keep you ahead of the curves, hidden

driveways, and changing conditions.

Read what’s happening ahead, behind, and

on both sides of your car and the road. And

adjust what you can control—your position

and speed—to keep as clear as possible

from what

you can’t.

Drive in Plain SightSometimes you really need to be noticed.

On the road, for example.

Remember: just because you see them

doesn’t mean they see you. Make sure

others on and off the road see your vehicle

at all times. And this doesn’t mean driving

faster to get into that clear space ahead.

This means dropping back or moving over

into that clearer, safer, more visible space

behind or to the side of you. This means

signaling early, and often, for turns, lane

changes, and slowing down. Check your

brake lights, headlights, and taillights

often, and replace them immediately as

needed. Headlight use at any time can be

helpful, and make sure your brights are

used with consideration.

See. And be seen.

Watch the WeatherSpeed limits are there not as a foundation,

but as a best-possible scenario. These

limits represent the maximum suggested

speed when the road is dry, the weather is

clement, and visibility clear.

Stay aware of the weather around you and

ahead of you, and how it can impact road

conditions. Stopping times, stopping

distances, and vehicle traction can all be

affected by weather. And even weather we

love—sunshine!—causes sudden glare off

of other vehicles that can affect your

ability to see.

Remember Your Blind SpotsWhen you’re behind the wheel, car mirrors

are looking out for you from places you

can’t see or reach. Keep them in good

condition, and check them often, even

when the road is clear and you’re at

normal, steady speed. Every 10 seconds or

so, when changing lanes are good

defensive driving practice.

And don’t forget pre- and post-driving:

Check them when you get behind the

wheel, and before you leave the car. Check

for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists,

Segway riders, hoverboarders, anything

that might not see you, your passengers,

and your car. See them first. So when you

start moving, they see you.

Use Your Mirrors, Use Your EyesAs a defensive driver, your own eyes are

your single best source of information.

Though car mirrors and car cams are

helpful, they’re not perfect. It only takes a

fraction of a second to check your blind

spots, especially when planning a

lane-change, approaching a turn, and

pulling in and out of any kind of parking

space, including your own garage or

driveway.

Don’t Make AssumptionsWhile it may be good practice to assume

the best of others, it’s good defensive

driving practice to never assume anything.

Don’t assume that you’ve been seen, or

that other drivers will follow the rules.

Don’t assume that those drivers—ahead,

behind, to either side—will stop or let you

in. In other words, assume that you are the

only defensive driver on the road, and

you’ll be better prepared for those who

aren’t.

Impairment Affects AbilityJust as your car’s condition affects its

drivability, your mental, physical, and

emotional condition affects yours. Keeping

everything—both your car and

yourself—properly working, fueled and

rested, tuned up and turned on makes

driving safer and smarter.

Don’t drive impaired—by alcohol, drugs,

and other substances. Even some

over-the-counter medicines can affect

your physical condition and mental

alertness, which means they can affect

your ability to drive defensively.

Keep Calm, Keep ClearDriving defensively isn't about driving

aggressively. It's often about driving calm,

and that's good practice at any time. This

especially applies when other drivers are

driving carelessly. Your car and the area

around it may feel like personal space, but

the road is used and shared with others.

Don’t lose it just because others abuse it.

Don't Drive DistractedAny distraction in a moving car is like taking

an outside traffic hazard or bad driver off the

road and putting them inside the vehicle.

Even those that seem manageable can

unexpectedly veer beyond our control. So

minimize them in the car, and maximize your

focus where it needs to be: on the road.

Need we even mention phones and other

devices?

© 2016 I Drive Safely. All Rights Reserved.www.idrivesafely.com

Leave a Safety SpaceOne-one-thousand, two-one-thousand,

three-one-thousand…

You’re the quarterback. That’s because at

55 mph, your car will travel almost the full

length of a football field in one second--80

yards. And at only 25 mph, in one second

you still travel 12 yards. And if you can

travel that far in that amount of time, so

can others.

Give yourself space. Literally, 3 seconds at

whatever speed you’re going is a good rule

to follow, especially when conditions like

the weather, traffic, and geography

change. That storm isn’t going anywhere.

But you are. And check yourself against

your own tendency to speed up or

slow down.

Look Ahead For HazardsStay informed to stay ahead. Road signs

and traffic alerts—both visual and

auditory—provide lots of information to

keep you ahead of the curves, hidden

driveways, and changing conditions.

Read what’s happening ahead, behind, and

on both sides of your car and the road. And

adjust what you can control—your position

and speed—to keep as clear as possible

from what

you can’t.

Drive in Plain SightSometimes you really need to be noticed.

On the road, for example.

Remember: just because you see them

doesn’t mean they see you. Make sure

others on and off the road see your vehicle

at all times. And this doesn’t mean driving

faster to get into that clear space ahead.

This means dropping back or moving over

into that clearer, safer, more visible space

behind or to the side of you. This means

signaling early, and often, for turns, lane

changes, and slowing down. Check your

brake lights, headlights, and taillights

often, and replace them immediately as

needed. Headlight use at any time can be

helpful, and make sure your brights are

used with consideration.

See. And be seen.

Watch the WeatherSpeed limits are there not as a foundation,

but as a best-possible scenario. These

limits represent the maximum suggested

speed when the road is dry, the weather is

clement, and visibility clear.

Stay aware of the weather around you and

ahead of you, and how it can impact road

conditions. Stopping times, stopping

distances, and vehicle traction can all be

affected by weather. And even weather we

love—sunshine!—causes sudden glare off

of other vehicles that can affect your

ability to see.

Remember Your Blind SpotsWhen you’re behind the wheel, car mirrors

are looking out for you from places you

can’t see or reach. Keep them in good

condition, and check them often, even

when the road is clear and you’re at

normal, steady speed. Every 10 seconds or

so, when changing lanes are good

defensive driving practice.

And don’t forget pre- and post-driving:

Check them when you get behind the

wheel, and before you leave the car. Check

for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists,

Segway riders, hoverboarders, anything

that might not see you, your passengers,

and your car. See them first. So when you

start moving, they see you.

Use Your Mirrors, Use Your EyesAs a defensive driver, your own eyes are

your single best source of information.

Though car mirrors and car cams are

helpful, they’re not perfect. It only takes a

fraction of a second to check your blind

spots, especially when planning a

lane-change, approaching a turn, and

pulling in and out of any kind of parking

space, including your own garage or

driveway.

Don’t Make AssumptionsWhile it may be good practice to assume

the best of others, it’s good defensive

driving practice to never assume anything.

Don’t assume that you’ve been seen, or

that other drivers will follow the rules.

Don’t assume that those drivers—ahead,

behind, to either side—will stop or let you

in. In other words, assume that you are the

only defensive driver on the road, and

you’ll be better prepared for those who

aren’t.

Impairment Affects AbilityJust as your car’s condition affects its

drivability, your mental, physical, and

emotional condition affects yours. Keeping

everything—both your car and

yourself—properly working, fueled and

rested, tuned up and turned on makes

driving safer and smarter.

Don’t drive impaired—by alcohol, drugs,

and other substances. Even some

over-the-counter medicines can affect

your physical condition and mental

alertness, which means they can affect

your ability to drive defensively.

Keep Calm, Keep ClearDriving defensively isn't about driving

aggressively. It's often about driving calm,

and that's good practice at any time. This

especially applies when other drivers are

driving carelessly. Your car and the area

around it may feel like personal space, but

the road is used and shared with others.

Don’t lose it just because others abuse it.

Don't Drive DistractedAny distraction in a moving car is like taking

an outside traffic hazard or bad driver off the

road and putting them inside the vehicle.

Even those that seem manageable can

unexpectedly veer beyond our control. So

minimize them in the car, and maximize your

focus where it needs to be: on the road.

Need we even mention phones and other

devices?

© 2016 I Drive Safely. All Rights Reserved.www.idrivesafely.com

Get Driving. Defensively.If we had to distill this guide down to the fewest possible words, they would simply be “drive defensively.” But if you want a little reminder, take these keys—key letters, that is—and remember these guide rules.

Don’t make any assumptions.

Ensure you look well ahead when driving.

Follow other vehicles at a safe distance.

Expect the unexpected.

Never forget about blind spots.

Search for clues up ahead.

Impaired driving is dangerous.

Visibility to others is crucial.

Ensure you avoid distractions.

Enjoy being and becoming a great defensive driver!

© 2016 I Drive Safely. All Rights Reserved.www.idrivesafely.com

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