Each and every motorist need to be aware that getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is not without its associated dangers. To begin mitigating these dangers, however, it is essential to have a fundamental knowledge of the fundamental ideas that underlie defensive driving. A significant amount of progress may be made by gaining an understanding of what it means to be a defensive driver and putting into practice some of the suggested safety behaviors while you are driving.

You will, of course, be required to make certain that your vehicle is covered by the appropriate auto insurance policy before you are permitted to legally drive on the road. An independent insurance agent can assist you in quickly obtaining the coverage that is most suitable for your needs. To begin, however, I will provide you with a description of defensive driving as well as twenty different ideas and tactics that can help you become a better defensive driver.

What Is Defensive Driving

In order to keep drivers safe, it is important to have a solid understanding of what it means to drive defensively. So, what does defensive driving mean? The term "defensive driving" refers to a certain style of driving behavior that involves responding in a safe manner to other drivers on the road, pedestrians, changes in the weather, and other possible hazards.

Keep this defensive driving term in mind before you take the road next time. Being vigilant and ready to respond properly to dangers on and around the road can substantially assist lower your risk while you drive. 

Read also: Beginner's Guide to Hill Driving Techniques And Tips

Benefits of Defensive Driving

So, what precisely is a defensive driver, and what is driving defensively? A defensive driver continuously utilizes safe driving behaviors and practices to assist lower their risk of accidents and other errors. 

Defensive drivers remain on alert and ready to anticipate changes to road and weather conditions and constantly keep an eye out for other vehicles and pedestrians on the road. The benefits of knowing defensive driving and what being a defensive driver means include not only minimizing your chance of accidents and keeping you safe, but also helping you avoid traffic offenses like citations and in turn, saving money on your auto insurance.

Most states provide defensive driving lessons. Some defensive driving programs might help you earn discounts on vehicle insurance. But even without completing a course, being accident-free and preserving a clean driving record may almost surely help cut the cost of your vehicle insurance.

8 Tips & Techniques for Becoming a Defensive Driver

How does one become a good defensive driver? There are numerous basic strategies and tactics you may learn and have in your arsenal when on the road. 

Shifting some actions and your thinking while driving might help you become a more defensive driver. To help you get started, we've put up a list of 20 suggestions and strategies to help you become a more defensive driver. 

1 Focus on the work at hand

Defensive driving is all about being focused on the task at hand, which is driving safely. When you're behind the wheel, the major attention must always be what's going on on the road. 

Keep the radio volume down, and don't allow passengers disturb you. A defensive driver is continually analyzing their surroundings for potential risks and keeping their attention on weather and road conditions to monitor any changes. 

Read also: 10 Easy Techniques for Becoming a Better Driver

2 Expect other drivers to make mistakes

Part of being a defensive driver is not assuming that other drivers aren't distracted or know how to drive defensively. When arriving to a junction, constantly monitor other cars to make sure they truly come to a complete stop when they're required to before you go. 

Keep a watch on the vehicles surrounding you in case they unexpectedly change lanes, even without indicating. Also, consider that some drivers on the road may not be from the region and are unfamiliar with local traffic patterns.

3 Slow down

Part of being a defensive driver is driving at a safe pace. Defensive driving includes always being aware of the current speed restriction and respecting these regulations. 

Teen drivers are statistically the most prone to participate in speeding behaviors on the road, which raises their risk of accidents dramatically. Driving at or below the legal speed limit provides drivers additional time to respond to changes or possible dangers and prevent accidents.

4 Take use of safety equipment

Safety features can aid with defensive driving. Keep seat belts tight at all times, and always check airbags are in functioning order. 

Some automobiles provide extra safety features that aid defensive drivers, such as blind-spot monitors and lane assistance. Many current automobiles generate a beeping sound if you attempt to back up or change lanes when a car or other item is in the way. 

5 Always, always, always buckle up

Some of the saddest and most distressing driving statistics illustrate how many lives may be averted by merely wearing a seat belt. Proper seat belt usage is a key aspect of becoming a defensive driver. In one recent year, a reported 37,000 people were died in automobile accidents, yet 2,549 of these lives could've been spared if they'd simply been wearing a seat belt at the time of the incident. 

The National Safety Council claims that seat belts lower your chance of injuries in an accident by 50%. In another recent year, seat belts saved approximately 15,000 lives. 

True defensive drivers make it a practice to tighten their seat belts immediately away when they get behind the wheel. Another component of defensive driving is avoiding putting the car into motion until you're confident all passengers are properly strapped. 

Read also: 9 Tips for Being a Defensive Driver

6 When in doubt, give

Defensive drivers know to yield in questionable situations. If you're unclear of how to continue in a junction, or a traffic sign is missing or has been hit and is not clearly visible, use the defensive driving skill of yielding to ambiguity. Once you've established it's safe to proceed, do so.

7 Stop on red

The primary cause of junction crashes is running a red light. Sometimes, this happens owing to a lack of attention to the road, while other times, it's due to the glare from the setting sun. 

But tragically, sometimes it's because the motorist was in a rush. The best defensive driving technique is to slow down before each junction and examine the circumstances. Never race the yellow light.

8 Use your blinkers

Another component of being a careful driver is using turn signals effectively. When you're ready to change lanes or make a turn, always switch your blinker on early enough to communicate to other drivers what you're about to do. 

Defensive driving entails putting on a turn signal at least 100 feet in ahead of the turn you'll make. If changing lanes, put on your blinker for at least 5 seconds before you make the shift.