What is Defensive Driving?
What is Defensive Driving?
So we need to find the balance that works for everyone.
When we are on the roads we are sharing it with everyone else and need to work as a team to keep it safe.
It's about having good observations, good anticipation, good control over our vehicle, and building experience and understanding of all other road users.
* Being Considerate
* Driving responsibly
* Having a good awareness to others
* Driving with care
* Being Courteous
* Driving with excellent planning skills
* Being able to anticipate what other road users or pedestrians may do.
Getting up late, or not giving yourself enough time to complete the journey you need to make, is possibly the biggest reason why driver's break speed limits or drive dangerously.
If we don't think about safety as our main concern, we are not only putting ourselves at risk, but we are also putting everyone else within our vicinity at risk. If we drive with utmost safety at all times, we only then need to be aware of what others are doing, and be prepared for any mistakes they may make.
If we always drive with a mindset that others may not drive as they are meant to, we will always be prepared for the unexpected.
We call it "driving on guard"
You may never need to take action, but if you drive being prepared to, then you'll not be caught out by surprise, and the safer you will remain.
We are not saying you should drive like a learner or someone who has just passed their driving test! A learner who has just passed their test has got to the stage where they are now able to continue their learning to the next level on their own. But do not have lots of experience on their side. But what we are saying is, current learners will have the most up to date knowledge on rules and laws, and driving techniques. They have passed their test because they have shown this knowledge to a DVSA examiner and proven that they are capable of being out on the roads with everyone else. Yes they still have things to learn (mainly experiences) but their core driving skills are ones that should remain with them for the rest of their lives. Just because they have passed their driving test should not mean those rule get thrown out of the window. The way a learner is taught, is to one that has over time shown to be the best methods to remain safe at all times. Therefore, continuing to drive using those standards for the rest of their life should keep them relatively safe.
The quality of that training will just get better and better should they continue to implement that training.
A learner driver gets to the stage in a relatively short space of time (having had good training) that allows them to drive on "auto-pilot"
This means that everything they do happens without actually thinking about it. And because they don't think about it any more, it means that their focus and attention can be "on guard" for those who may not necessarily drive how they were taught.
The more drivers on the road that continue to drive using the methods they were taught, the better the example is to those who might not necessarily do the same. As an individual, it is very hard to make a difference, but as a collective the message might eventually get pushed home to those who want to break the rules.
By creating a position of "we don't accept poor/dangerous driving as acceptable" and make it socially unacceptable, then over time we will create safer roads.
But the snowball can only get bigger then more snow you add to it.
Patience, courtesy, compassion, understanding, consideration, calmness.
Are all traits of a good driver.
We have ALL made mistakes at some point in our driving, and no doubt will make more in the future.
Something as simple as raising the clutch too quickly and causing the car to stall. Or possibly forgetting to select first gear when arriving at a set of lights and again stalling as you try to move off.
It may be you omitted to place on a signal indicator?
We've all been there, and we've all experienced someone else doing it.
But it's how we react to it that makes all the difference!
Being Hostile to other road users IS NOT THE ANSWER!
Bad Language, Hand gestures, Physical violence, Threats, Honking your horn are just some of the poor ways to air your feelings about someone being human.
There are ways of honking your horn, and ways of honking you horn.
One is to notify others of you presence, the other is to show a level of anger in another drivers actions.
Just this alone could cause another road user to retaliate.
None of us know what another driver is feeling like, thinking about, situation they are in, frame of mind, physical state etc when they are behind the wheel of their car.
Has someone in their family just died?
Have they just split up from a relationship?
Have they injured themselves and are rushing to get to a doctors or hospital?
Have they been drinking / taking drugs?
Have they just won the lottery and are not thinking straight?
Has their child at school just had an accident?
Are they new to driving and is this their first day out on the roads on their own?
Do they have panic attacks / anxiety / physical disability?
We just do not know, and it is not for us to be judge, jury and executioner for something trivial.
If as driver's we go out on the roads with that frame of mind about everyone else on the road, are we not joining the ever growing attitude of poor driving and lack of compassion?
Of course we want you to be prepared for these types of things happening, but when or if they do, you'll be able to deal with it without being judgemental, and just accept that we are all human and we are all capable of making mistakes.
Now. on the other side of the coin, there are going to be those driver's that believe the rules and laws of the road do not apply to them and that they can do what they want when they want.
This is the time when your DEFENSIVE DRIVING MUST come into full action.
If you have an installed Dashcam that's great, all dangerous driving incidents should be reported to the police. Driver's on our roads carrying out this sort of behaviour do not belong on our roads, and the only way to keep our roads safer are to ensure we report these incidents.
IT IS NOT OUR PLACE to get involved and retaliate to these dangerous drivers. You put yourself at risk, and possibly others by retaliating or reacting. Let them do their thing, catch it on camera, and report it to the Police and let them deal with it.
You will possibly never see that driver again.
It may be that they were in a rush to get to a Hospital, but it does not excuse dangerous driving that puts others at risk.
As mentioned earlier, we are ALL capable of making mistakes, that's the beauty of being humna.
But if your mistake is while you are behind the wheel of your car, it is far easier to just put up your hand and say sorry.
Accept that you made a mistake, apologise for it. Hopefully nothing serious came from it and the vast majority of road users will accept it for what it was ...Just a mistake!
Again, this brings us back to the "Lead by example".
The more driver's that drive defensively and apologise for any mistake (however minor) they make, the more it sets an example to other road users that we don't need to be giving hand gestures, abusive language, honking the horn or being threatening.
We can just become a more considerate, compassionate, courteous society who understands we are all human and are all capable of making mistakes.
A simple sorry and hand up to apologise is normally enough to diffuse any situation.
Firstly, ensure you are doing everything that you should be doing correctly first.
Ensuring you use all your taught routines such as MSPSGL, POM before moving off, signalling where you need to, carrying out good lane discipline etc.
The more you continue to drive how you were taught and are aware of your driving, the less the chance of a situation arising with other road users.
Your observations as a defensive driver will then come down to you being able to asses how other drivers are:-
Behaving.
What their speed is like.
What their intentions are possibly to be.
How they are positioned to asses their intentions.
Having an awareness to upcoming junctions and whether you can see vehicles emerging or not.
How good is your line of sight to see others?
Could you position yourself better to assist with this without interfering with other road users?
Are you the driver emerging from a junction?
How are you going to emerge if your line of sight is restricted?
Are you aware of what's happening behind you?
How regularly do you check your interior and door mirrors while driving along the road?
Are you only checking them before arriving at junctions?
The more often you check your mirrors the better the picture in your mind as to what is continually changing around your vehicle, giving you the potential to deal with any changes. If you're not looking how would you know?
How do you deal with traffic lights in the distance?
Do you know if they are pedestrian lights?
Do you ease up your speed on approach to them?
Do you check around you before moving off from a set of light you have needed to stop at?
When your lights go green, do you check to the right and left to ensure no vehicle have jumped their lights?
What do you do if a set of lights are not working? You should in the least be slowing down on approach to ensure you are fully aware of your surroundings before proceeding.
Getting up late, or not giving yourself enough time to complete the journey you need to make, is possibly the biggest reason why driver's break speed limits or drive dangerously.
ALWAYS GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME FOR YOUR JOURNEY!
It is far better to arrive at your destination early than to not arrive at all!
Leave a good safe following distance between you and vehicles in front of you.
THE MINIMUM DISTANCE on dry roads is 2 seconds
THE MINIMUM DISTANCE on wet roads is 4 seconds
THE MINIMUM DISTANCE on snow or icy roads is 20 seconds.
Notice how we have highlighted the word MINIMUM, there is no reason why you cannot leave a bigger gap.
If you are travelling behind a vehicle that you cannot see through such as a bus, lorry, caravan, then the gap should definitely be even bigger. Big enough that will allow you to see the door mirrors of the vehicle in front of you and by doing so will allow you to see further along the road as well.
This will allow you to react to other vehicle in front of that larger vehicle sooner.
If you cannot see the vehicle in front of you mirrors, then they cannot see you either.
Never, be the driver who "can make that gap"
If you are driving along a road, you only ever have priority if priority is "given" to you in the form of a sign or a Police officer or traffic officer giving it to you, at all other times, being the Defensive Driver will keep you safer.
Think of a road with parked cars on it. It would be far safer for you to take an extra few seconds on your journey and give way to an oncoming vehicle than trying to "get thought that gap"
Although it is generally considered that if vehicles are parked on your side of the road then you should give way to oncoming vehicles, it is not a given unless there are priority over oncoming vehicle signs in place.
And to have the frame of mind that "I have priority because my side of the road is clear of parked cars" is not necessarily the correct frame of mind to have. Other factors need to be considered.
Has an oncoming vehicle already committed to overtaking the parked cars?
Would there be enough space for two vehicles to fit thought safely?
What are the hazard areas along the stretch of road where you need to overtake parked cars?
Are there junctions in between the parked cars?
Are there pavements where pedestrians could walk out between the parked cars?
What speed are you currently driving at?
What speed are the oncoming vehicles driving at?
Are you driving in a Town Centre?
Outside a School
On a rural road?
At night?
In a residential road
In bad weather conditions?
On a Motorway?
In an area you are unfamiliar with?
Have you adapted your driving style based on the change of circumstance?
A defensive driver will always adapt their driving style to suit the situation.
A defensive driver will always ensure their car is in tip top condition.
Are you the driver who is good with all other road users?
We all share the roads, and not one of the road users has more right than any other to be using them.
Pedestrians have a right
Cyclists
Mobility vehicles
Horses & Horse riders
Motorcycles
Tricycles
Cars
Vans
Buses
Coaches
Lorries
Tractors
Road maintenance vehicles and heavy equipment
Bin Lorries
Hired legal electric scooter
Just to name a few, but they all have a right to use them and to ensure our roads remain as safe as we can, a defensive driver will respect the fact that they have as much right to be there as themselves.
This subject is always quite contentious amongst driving instructors.
Some believe you should Stop or pull in and let the tailgater pass.
Some believe you should tap your brake lights to make the following vehicle back off.
And others believe, you should slow down slightly and to give the following car some extra space in front of you so that they can overtake.
What you may need to consider firstly though, is does the vehicle following you actually realise that they are tailgating you?
Now most drivers will say "Of course they know they are tailgating"
But! Were they ever taught about safe following distances?
Is their vehicle a lot higher than yours which means they can see much further down the road than you can, so can anticipate what's happening a lot sooner than you will?
Are you truly aware of how much space is actually left behind you when you feel that you are being tailgated?
Perception can have a huge difference from one driver to another, and what might feel like tailgating to you, is perfectly acceptable to another driver.
One of the biggest problems when it comes to driving and tailgating, is that it is very rare (in the big picture of how many cars there are on our roads) for a driver to drive into the rear of another car through tailgating.
When a driver drives into the rear of another vehicle, it is usually caused by either excessive speed, vehicle malfunction or by being distracted.
So when the average driver goes out on a daily drive year after year after year and NEVER has an incident with driving into the back of another car, they build up a sense of invincibility. And I use that word loosely, by invincibility I mean they truly believe they are a great driver, they've never had a crash, and to have one at 30mph would be ludicrous because their car can stop on a pin-head.
That may be so, until it eventually happens!
We see this every single day of the week when driver's don't leave enough gap between them and vehicles they are following, especially on a motorway!
This is because the vast majority of their journeys are spent on 30mph roads and they have never had a crash. Their brains forget about menial things such as SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCES. The reason they forget about them, well actually they don't forget about them, what they actually do is stop thinking about them like they did when they learnt to drive. And the reason why they stop thinking about them is because they have not had a crash....... yet!
There is a very old saying "Over Familiarity Leads to Complacency"
So they become complacent! And that following distance in a 30mph zone becomes their "NORM"
They forget that as speeds get faster so should their following distance.
So they end up on a motorway driving with the same gap at 70mph as the do on a 30mph road. This is so dangerous based on the distance required to stop and 30mph and the distance to stop at 70mph. Literally every single day of the week, these drivers are putting themselves and everyone else around them at risk. And it's why when accidents happen on motorways they tend to involve multiple vehicles.
So, We understand, that when any driver feels that their safety is being put at risk, they will feel threatened or intimidated.
It is how you deal with that threat that matters.
A true ignorant and dangerous driver who knows only too well that they are attempting to intimidate you to get you to move, will just keep pushing it again and again and again. If you increase your speed slightly to create a bigger gap, they will increase their speed as well. The faster you go they faster they will go. There is no way that they want you in front of them so they will just keep sitting on your bumper until you get out of their way.
With these types of driver, you safest of choices is either to slow down to create a bigger safety gap between you and the car in front of you, so that there won't be a need to brake sharply. The bigger gap will allow you to slow down more gently if the car in front slows, which will hopefully avoid the vehicle behind you from ploughing into you, or it will give them space to attempt an overtake.
If an overtake is attempted, it would be advisable to allow that vehicle to pass you as quickly as possible, so as they start to pass, just ease of the accelerator so that the overtake happens quickly. Once they are out of your way, you'll be able to continue on with your journey a little more relaxed.
The option of pulling over and stopping is probably the choice I would take as a last resort, but also one that you should consider if you truly felt that the following vehicles actions are such that they may put you in danger.
By pulling over or stopping, it sort of gives endorsement to the following vehicle that they have intimidated you enough to cause you to do so, and it's probably highly likely they will then move on to the next target to intimidate.
With the introduction of scammers and the "Crash for Cash" scam that has been around for some years now, I would highly recommend that tapping your break lights is NOT SOMETHING YOU SHOULD TRY!
It used to be advised many years ago when drivers tended to have a lot more tolerance with each other, but this was because driving then was overall much less stressful due to millions less vehicles on the road than today. And back in they day when drivers did this, it was taken as a "you're too close to me, please back off" type of signal. Which most drivers would acknowledge and rapidly back off.
But today, and with the crash for cash scam, there is a high chance that if you tap your breaks to light up your brake lights, the vehicle following may eventually pass you and slam on their breaks causing you to drive into the back of them. It's well known, that any vehicle who drives into the back of another vehicle is 99.9% of the time going to be held responsible.
So we fully recommend, if you are feeling intimidated by another vehicle being too close to you, just increase the space between you and the vehicle in front of you and allow the following vehicle to pass you. We are not saying slow down to a ludicrously slow speed, but slowing by say 5mph is probably enough.
