Do you drive DEFENSIVELY?

[AviatorTom]

DEFENSIVE DRIVING is probably the best way of avoiding motor vehicle accidents that can injure yourself and others.

One of the best Defensive Driving strategies is the 60-second rule:

About every 60 seconds, use your eyes to scan the speedometer (check your speed w/r/t the speed limit), your rear view mirror and both the driver and passenger side view mirrors. That way, you stay aware of how fast you're going, and of vehicles around you, which can be important if something happens that where the best thing to do is change lanes, slow down or brake hard. Also, by moving your eyes around, you stay more alert, with less chance of falling asleep at the wheel.

Otherwise, keep your eyes on the road ahead, try to anticipate what might happen in front of you, and mentally have a plan B to avoid it.

One example of good defensive driving: On a 3-lane motorway/expressway, drive in the middle lane and stay out of vehicle blind spots in the other lanes. That way, if something happens, you can go left or right to avoid it.

Do you Drive Defensively?

If you like this question, let me know if I should expand it into a MyTakes on Defensive Driving Strategies and Techniques.

Updates

+1 y

Interesting results. If just about everyone is driving defensively, why are there so many accidents/crashes, often caused by someone's erratic or offensive driving?

[Likes2drive]

I sure do, I’m always correcting for other drivers actions so they won’t hit me even though I’m in the right, I look far ahead of other drivers and already have my moves planned way ahead of everyone else. I’m up high anyway being in a tractor trailer so I see way ahead when things are slowing down and start slowing down before everyone else

[Likes2drive]

I drive for a living and see so many accidents from inexperienced drivers, the accidents that happen to me are from people hitting my truck while I’m just driving normally in my own lane or on a turn, luckily it’s way in the back of the trailer and not near me in the tractor, it amazes me how they don’t notice something so big

[AviatorTom]

I was taught (and learned) to respect truck drivers and other vehicle operators who use the vehicle for their job. Semis deserve particular respect since they have huge blind spots (cars should stay out of the blind spots), make wide turns (out of necessity); and because the trailer is so long, it sometimes infringes on the adjacent lane when turning, even when it "stays" in its lane.

I once saw a tractor-trailer from the left lane signal a 90-degree right turn (which it had to do) and then a car drove up alongside it in the right lane and the trailer's rear wheels drove right over the hood of the car. The woman driving the car was so surprised, not recognizing that she put herself in that position.

[Likes2drive]

Oh yeah they do that so often that I’m continuously looking in my blind spot mirror for them to do that and get ready to stop, it’s like they don’t pay attention to the indicators on the trailer, the moment they have room to pass they try to and then get stuck there and have to back up because I stopped when I saw them try it. I haven’t hit anybody yet doing that dumb move yet

[Fuentes]

I do and i predict how what most drivers are going to do on the street.

[TrueConfection]

Heck no I don't!

Just kidding. I think every answer will be, "I always drive defensively."

I mostly do. Sometimes I just have to get around the moron driving 25 in the 45.

[SaoirseS]

Yes, I drive defensively and focused on driving. It's saved me from accidents several times.

[Jamie05rhs]

@SaoirseS It'll save you from becoming your own customer!

[SaoirseS]

@Jamie05rhs That's the way I look at it! That and not being accused of creating business for myself.

[Jamie05rhs]

@SaoirseS Lol

[MartianBuddy]

Offensively, my F150 has a long pike amed perfectly at engine block height. In the event of a brake check, the obstacles has officially been kebabed. And if it's a Kia soul or similar sized vehicle, I deposit it it at the local scrap yard to pay for beer.

[AviatorTom]

Glad you mentioned BRAKE CHECK. Why do people do that? It's one of the stupidest things a driver can do. All it does is encourage the following vehicle to hit them, and the driver doing the brake check would be found at fault, especially if the following vehicle has a dashcam, as many do today.

[MartianBuddy]

Yeah, it's dumb. Sucks for insurance too, I don't know. My ex did that shit, ended up getting her trail blazer crushed like a beer can at a frat house when she brake checked a ram 2500 with a bull bar. Usually people with temper control issues.

[ChrisMaster69]

One example of good defensive driving: On a 3-lane motorway/expressway, drive in the middle lane and stay out of vehicle blind spots in the other lanes. That way, if something happens, you can go left or right to avoid it.

Which may work in the US, however is illegal in other places, for example UK.
Here that puts you at more risks than anything.

other than that yes Defensive driving is a good approach.

[Dchrls78104]

In my country we drive in the left side of the road. I try to keep to the left lane on 3-laners (so that I could more easily pull over to the shoulder if the vehicle develops a problem) or to the middle lane. The right lane is more dangerous here because someone may lose control of his car and cross the median.

[andreasderjuengere]

My defense strategy: ''what happens BEHIND me - can't harm me".
My hosting country has one of the highest road-kill rates on the planet.
I expect the silliest and dumbest action each moment; that's what kept me alive until now.

[AviatorTom]

Sometimes what's BEHIND you CAN harm you... example: you're stopped at an intersection and a speeding vehicle is approaching and you notice that the driver is looking down at his cell phone... if you are aware, you might be able to avoid the rear-end collision by pulling forward

[andreasderjuengere]

You're right.
However... I can send him a text message to warn him? :D

[Dchrls78104]

@AviatorTom you're on point here. In 2017 a guy rear ended me when I stopped to let off a passenger. He seemed to me to be a young and distracted driver.

[ArrowheadSW]

Yes I mostly do. Although I don't want to be overconfident. I'm sure there is always room for improvement.

[Brainsbeforebeauty]

Yes I do, you have to these days with all the drivers out there that don't give a 💩

[AndrésC64]

Some days seem like it must be National Idiot Driver Day.

[Brainsbeforebeauty]

@AndrésC64 some days? I think that's every day🤣

[Brainsbeforebeauty]

Per your update: because GAG isn't a representation of the whole population of the world, and then too only 26 people answered this post so I'm sure there's people on here that don't lolol

[JamesCarrington]

In UK, it is not done to hog the middle lane of a 3 lane road. In our case, keep to the left lane (your right lane) unless overtaking. Obviously don't keep switching lanes.

[DryGermanGuy]

Clearly offense is the best defense! 🙃

[Jamie05rhs]

Lol.

[RobT312]

All good tips.
im an aggressive offensive driver. As I get older I’m starting to become more defensive so your tips are appreciated

[Dchrls78104]

These days there are many driving on the roads who should rather be operating Lego sets, PlayStations, and other toys. I have no choice but to drive defensively, in order to avoid contact with them.

[AndrésC64]

I tried to. I watch lots of those dashcam/car crash videos. So I try to anticipate what's going to happen there, and I think that makes me more aware of what's going on around me when I'm driving.

[AndrésC64]

* TRY

[douride2]

In todays traffic with distracted drivers one has to drive defensively or you get wiped out.

[Jamie05rhs]

Ain't that the truth.

[DaveToo]

I used to TEACH defensive driving at the LAPD police academy.

[muncher717]

i outdrove a city cop and a state trooper and they were both pissed as hell especially the trooper when he started swearing at me because i outdrove him

[DaveToo]

@muncher717 That's entirely possible. The first rule of high-speed pursuit is, "never put the general population in danger". I CAN tell you unless you are certified from a school like Bondurant, or have several years behind the wheel of a real race car at speed, you're kidding yourself and endangering everyone in your path.

[muncher717]

actually i do have several years behind a racecar at high speeds but even the pros said they go faster then 110mph which i won't do

[DaveToo]

@muncher717 In a racecar I've been at 160 regularly. No police officer should ever chase at speeds over 120. It puts the public at as much risk as the perp does. Use eye in the sky to maintain visual, set up spike strips. If said perp wants to die, give them the chance to do just that or stop.

[Dargil]

Yes. As a teen, I was "fast and furious"... street racing, etc. Now I'm pretty law abiding.
Also, the police have more important business than "10-over".

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Yes, I do. My grandma was the 1st one to mention defensive driving to me.

[Jouth]

i just don't consent to accidents or crashes

#NoMeansNo

[exitseven]

I am usually too busy looking out for cops.

[Jamie05rhs]

Lmao. If you follow the law, you don't have to worry about them.

[AviatorTom]

If you drive defensively and stay within a reasonable amount over the posted speed limit, you don't need to worry about the cops. They will not bother you.

[exitseven]

@AviatorTom That is why I watch for cops.

[AviatorTom]

@exitseven That's what I figured :-)

[Jamie05rhs]

Staying in the middle lane is not defensive driving. The correct method is to stay in the right lane, while actively scanning the road ahead, behind, and beside you. If you see someone about to enter, then you can transfer to the middle lane temporarily if you need to, and then move back over. The middle lane is for people who prefer to travel at a quicker (more proactive) pace than the people in the right lane. And the far left lane is for people in the middle lane that need to pass each other.

[AviatorTom]

Driving experts respectively disagree with you about driving in the right lane. Here's how they define each lane (by the way, this is for left -hand driving (like USA), reverse it for right-hand driving (like UK)):

Right Lane (slow lane) - slow traffic and traffic exiting at the one of the next two exits
Middle Lane - traffic going farther than the next two exits
Left Lane (fast lane) - for passing only [German Autobahn exception... this is the lane where cars can travel at any speed, unless there's a speed limit]

Scanning ahead and around you is good defensive driving.

[Jamie05rhs]

They are incorrect. If everyone going farther than just the next two exits stays in the middle lane, then they will crowd up the middle lane.

[Jamie05rhs]

You're essentially making a 3 lane road into a 1 lane road. That's insanity.

[AviatorTom]

@Jamie05rhs Not necessarily. Cars will be moving to the slow lane to exit, and others will pass. If the middle lane gets too crowded, it will slow down and some cars in the middle lane will move to the fast lane to pass.

[Jamie05rhs]

@AviatorTom That's the thing. You shouldn't create a situation where the middle lane is going to slow down. You need to keep things moving. Always strive for excellence, not mediocrity.

[Dchrls78104]

@Jamie05rhs I prefer the slow lane (the left in my country) or the middle lane. In the slow lane I could pull over more easily if there's an emergency. The fast lane (the right) is the most dangerous because someone could lose control of his car and cross the median. All things considered I prefer the slow lane or the middle lane to the fast lane.

[Jamie05rhs]

@Dchrls78104 And that is perfectly fine.

[NathanDavis]

yes, that's what it takes around here... lol

[genericname85]

yup. i think the best way to drive is by driving as if every single other car on the road is out with the sole purpose to murder you.

[AviatorTom]

That's a pretty strong comment, but it is good to think about what other vehicles might do.

[genericname85]

I'm exaggerating. But when I'm out on my bike, then that's actually how i drive, cause cars win against bikers every time xD

[Dchrls78104]

@genericname85 I am not 100% sure that you're exaggerating. In my country road rage incidents have become more common within the last few years, and at least one ended fatally.

[genericname85]

@Dchrls78104 shit dude XD what county is that?

[Anonymous]

both offensively and defensively

[IncognitoBandito]

Its wise

[BarryLiverstone]

Yes I do