The Best Defensive Driving Tips [2023]
Defensive driving can keep your insurance rates low. Keeping your eyes on the road, being mindful of blind spots, and following the speed limit are three of the most important defensive driving tips.
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Zach Fagiano
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Insurance & Finance Analyst
UPDATED: Jul 9, 2023
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UPDATED: Jul 9, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Defensive driving involves watching other drivers closely and assuming they may not always make the right choices on the road
- Drivers should also pay close attention to the road, be mindful of their blind spots, and follow the speed limit
- Being aware of what other drivers are doing is a crucial part of defensive driving
If you’re in a car accident, in addition to immediate costs for car repairs, medical bills, and potential legal fees, there is a very real likelihood that your car insurance bills will rise — even a single vehicle accident can affect insurance rates. This means you will pay for that fender bender far into the future.
The best way to avoid this unfortunate situation from happening is by learning to drive as safely as you possibly can. What are some defensive driving tips that can help you pay attention to other drivers on the road and hopefully avoid an accident? Keep reading to learn more about this proactive approach to safe driving.
Top Defensive Driving Tips
Unfortunately, every time you get behind the wheel, you have the potential to be in a car accident, a risk that underscores the importance of learning to drive defensively. Below are three of the best tips for driving defensively.
Watch the Road
The first place to start is by watching the road at all times, both on clear days and during inclement weather conditions. While this may seem like an obvious piece of advice, it is actually a safe driving habit that too many drivers tend to ignore. In fact, distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in the United States.
In addition to never looking at your phone when you are driving, keeping your eyes on the road also means watching what the other vehicles are doing. It’s also critical to watch for traffic signs, as well as anticipate as best as you can what cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists may do.
Know Your Blind Spots
Being aware of your car’s blind spots is another one of the best defensive driving tips. For instance, when you change lanes or need to merge, your mirrors may not give you a complete view of who is coming up behind you.
This is why you may have to turn your head to see if another vehicle is in your blind spot before moving over. Of course, since this involves taking your eyes off the road in front of you, even for a brief moment, be sure to take special care when checking your blind spots.
Obey the Speed Limit
You do not have to have a proverbial lead foot to exceed the speed limit. It is actually easier than many people realize to speed, especially on wide roads where there are not a lot of other cars around to keep a steady flow of traffic.
Going faster than the posted speed limit may lead to negative consequences. For instance, if a police officer pulls you over, you could get an expensive speeding ticket, which could make your car insurance rates go up. Speeding can also create risks in bad weather. For example, going over the posted speed limit during a snowstorm may make it harder for you to control your vehicle.
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Defensive Driving Involves Watching for Risky Driving
While you definitely want to practice safe driving skills when you are out and about, it is also important to try to predict what other drivers will do on the road. This tip is one of the core principles of defensive driving and can make a key difference when it comes to avoiding an accident.
Basically, you cannot assume that other drivers are as on the ball as you are and will use defensive driving tactis. They may stop short in front of you, drift into your lane, speed across your path, or make other unsafe moves. By closely watching other cars on the road and anticipating their actions as much as you can, you may be able to avoid being in a costly accident.
Case Studies: The Best Defensive Driving Tips
Case Study 1: Avoiding Rear-End Collision
John, a defensive driver, was able to avoid a rear-end collision by following the defensive driving principle of watching the road. While driving on the highway, he noticed the car in front of him suddenly brake.
Due to his vigilant observation, John was able to react quickly, maintain a safe distance, and avoid a potentially costly accident.
Case Study 2: Preventing Lane Change Collision
Samantha, a defensive driver, demonstrates the importance of being aware of blind spots. While changing lanes on a busy city street, she double-checked her blind spots before making the maneuver.
By doing so, she spotted a motorcyclist approaching from the side and avoided colliding with them. Samantha’s attentiveness to blind spots helped her maintain safety on the road.
Case Study 3: Adhering to Speed Limit in Hazardous Conditions
Mark, a cautious driver, exemplifies the significance of obeying the speed limit. During a heavy rainstorm, Mark was driving within the speed limit, ensuring he had proper control over his vehicle.
This allowed him to navigate the wet road safely and avoid hydroplaning, reducing the risk of an accident and the potential consequences of increased insurance rates.
Final Thoughts About Defensive Driving Tips
Sometimes, despite a driver’s best efforts, accidents will still happen. But by learning how to drive defensively (including keeping your eyes on the road, watching your blind spots, going the speed limit, and monitoring other drivers closely) you can reduce your risk of being in a costly accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can defensive driving help keep insurance rates low?
Defensive driving techniques can help reduce the risk of accidents, which can in turn keep your insurance rates low. By practicing safe driving habits, such as keeping your eyes on the road, being mindful of blind spots, and following the speed limit, you can minimize the chances of being involved in costly accidents that could increase your insurance premiums.
Why is watching the road important for defensive driving?
Watching the road at all times is crucial for defensive driving. Distracted driving is a common cause of accidents, so it’s essential to avoid distractions like using your phone while driving. Additionally, paying attention to the road allows you to anticipate the actions of other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists, helping you avoid potential accidents.
How does being aware of blind spots contribute to defensive driving?
Being aware of your car’s blind spots is an important defensive driving tip. Mirrors may not provide a complete view of what’s behind you when changing lanes or merging. By turning your head and checking your blind spots before making a maneuver, you can ensure the safety of your lane changes and avoid collisions.
Why is it important to obey the speed limit for defensive driving?
Obeying the speed limit is a crucial aspect of defensive driving. Driving over the speed limit not only increases the risk of accidents but can also lead to costly consequences such as receiving speeding tickets. Speeding violations can result in higher insurance rates, and driving too fast for weather conditions can make it more challenging to maintain control of your vehicle.
How does defensive driving involve watching for risky driving?
Defensive driving includes not only practicing safe driving skills but also anticipating the actions of other drivers on the road. By closely observing other vehicles and predicting their potential maneuvers, you can proactively respond to their actions and avoid being involved in accidents caused by other drivers’ mistakes.
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Zach Fagiano
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.