You can’t control what people do on the roads, from tailgating to texting, swerving to speeding. But if you’re a good driver, you can help yourself steer clear of the dangers those other drivers pose. And it all starts with defensive driving.
What is defensive driving?
Defensive driving is about “defending” yourself behind the wheel by taking a driving approach that focuses on safety and awareness. For example, defensive drivers often are able to avoid crashes at intersections, even when someone runs a red light; because they are constantly scanning their surroundings and anticipating the worst-case scenarios, these drivers are always ready to take the appropriate action to stay safe.
Here are five things you can do to start driving more defensively:
- Know your surroundings. By keeping an eye on your mirrors and what’s ahead of you, you’ll be able to react quickly in any situation.
- Always be thinking about safety. Everything starts with you—so don’t be aggressive or inattentive yourself! Wear your seatbelts, don’t follow too closely, and be the best driver you can be.
- Prepare for the worst. You also have to get ready for other drivers to not be the best drivers they can be—don’t assume they will stop at red lights, stay in their lane, etc.
- Watch your speed. Maintain the right speed for conditions. Remember, the faster you’re going, the harder it will be to stop quickly or swerve safely if a situation suddenly develops.
- Keep your focus. Avoid distractions—don’t text or use your phone while you’re driving, and if you have to take a call, use a hands-free device. Even adjusting the stereo can take your attention away from the road just long enough for something bad to happen, so be careful.
Who invented defensive driving?
Driver safety courses started popping up in school districts across the country beginning in the 1920s, and in 1936 “The Modern Motor Car” was the first driver-training textbook to be used widely in high schools. But it wasn’t until much later that programs began to teach what we think of today as defensive driving: A Driver Safety Course from the National Safety Council launched in 1964, and 10 years later, National Traffic Safety Institute founder Jeffrey Chase created the first defensive-driving course based on behavior modification.
Jeffrey was a firefighter and EMT who regularly saw the tragic results of aggressive behavior on the roadways. Determined to improve driver safety, he utilized scientific theories to help people make better decisions behind the wheel.
The NTSI course was adopted quickly by institutions in California, where it was introduced; courts in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho then came on board, and the majority of the U.S. followed. Our course is accepted in parts of Canada and Guam, and the U.S. Army even had NTSI develop a course for soldiers.
Does it really work?
There’s a reason defensive driving has been around for nearly 50 years now. Studies by government agencies have shown that the NTSI defensive-driving course is effective at improving driver behavior—so whether you’re an individual driver who simply wants to be better on the roads or a company fleet manager looking to enhance employee safety, a defensive-driving course is a great place to start.
