How do you drive defensively?

Driving defensively involves being aware of your surroundings and anticipating potential hazards that could affect your safety on the road. Keeping your eyes moving enables you to notice changes in your environment, including other vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signals, and road conditions. This constant awareness helps you to react promptly to any situation that might arise, such as a vehicle cutting you off or a pedestrian entering the roadway unexpectedly. It’s a proactive approach to driving that prioritizes safety and helps prevent accidents.

While maintaining a safe distance from the car ahead and adhering to speed limits are important safe driving practices, they do not encompass the broader strategy of defensive driving, which relies heavily on constant vigilance and readiness to respond to dynamic road conditions. Focusing solely on the car in front can lead to missed opportunities to react to other potential hazards, which undermines the principles of defensive driving.