The driving school of today is much different to the driving school in years gone by. These days, there is a much bigger focus on defensive driving, so that a learner driver is best prepared for situations that are not ideal conditions to drive in. This allows the learner driver to gain some experience and confidence in a supervised environment without risk of accident or injury.

What comprises defensive driving? Defensive driving is about looking at situations that are unlikely to occur yet still possible. Driving can be very dangerous and a novice is at greater risk due to their lack of experience. This is where defensive driving really stands out. For most drivers, they typically drive to their destination without a problem. Unfortunately, accidents do occur sometimes yet there are strategies one can use to minimise any potential damage or loss of life.

A principal rule of defensive driving is that the driver must always pay attention to what they’re doing and their surroundings. Everyone has heard a friend or family member remark, “I didn’t see him coming!” after an accident. This is generally because they were not paying attention or the other driver lost concentration. That’s why it’s important to focus on not only yourself but other motorists on the road. Even the most experienced drivers will keep an eye on the other vehicles on the road. An accident can occur without any fault on your part yet still impact your life greatly.

You should never place your faith in other motorists on the road. A momentary lapse in their concentration may lead to them braking or swerving suddenly into your lane. This often occurs on roundabouts or intersections where there is a greater build up of traffic. It’s always better to be overly cautious.

You should always remain 3 seconds behind the car in front of you. It can be hard to judge this, so the general rule is 3 to 4 car lengths in front of you. There are different ways of measuring this and a popular way of doing so is by looking at a road sign and counting to 3 as the car in front of you passes it. Keep in mind, this is for optimal driving conditions. When you’re driving at night or the rain, you should keep more distance between you and other cars.

By using the principles learned in defensive driving, you will ensure you remain safe on the road and should an accident occur, improve the chances of walking away from it unscathed. Many driving schools now offer defensive driving courses, so speak to you driving instructor about taking further driving lessons.