Some factors that contribute to car crash risk are outside of an individual’s control. People don’t control vehicle issues, such as defective parts that may suddenly fail while they are in traffic. They have no control over the weather, which might change suddenly while they are on the road. They can’t entirely avoid road issues, like potholes or intersections with poor visibility.
What they can control is their own behavior in traffic. Defensive driving techniques can help motorists significantly reduce their risk of a car crash. Some drivers complete specialized defensive driving courses to improve their skills and reduce their collision risk. While courses can be beneficial, simply committing to the three traffic practices outlined below can also go a long way toward reducing personal collision risk.
Cultivate constant awareness
Many drivers unintentionally increase their crash risk by multitasking or daydreaming while they drive. They spend so much time on the road every week that they start to take their safety for granted. They handle their phones, have intense conversations with passengers, eat and otherwise split their attention. The first rule of defensive driving is generally to remain constantly aware of one’s surroundings. That way, motorists have an opportunity to respond quickly to a pedestrian who steps out into the street abruptly or another driver who runs a red light.
Identify unsafe habits and correct them
Much like distracted driving, there are many other questionable safety practices that people may slowly develop over years of driving. Those who were once very fastidious about stopping completely at intersections may start performing rolling stops at red lights and stop signs. Drivers may fail to use their turn signals or may consistently speed, even in poor weather conditions. Identifying habits that may increase crash risk and addressing them can go a long way toward enhancing motorist safety.
Don’t make assumptions about other drivers’ actions
Defensive driving largely focuses on defending against the bad choices of others. Drivers should operate under the assumption that other motorists may not make safety a priority as they should. For example, it can be dangerous to assume that another driver at a four-way stop intends to yield the right of way unless drivers make eye contact and communicate through gestures. Yielding the right of way, giving other drivers extra space and generally erring on the side of caution whenever crossing paths with other drivers can help substantially reduce overall collision risk.
Even the most dedicated defensive drivers can still end up injured in motor vehicle collisions caused by other drivers. If crashes do occur, those not at fault may be able to seek compensation through insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits brought against the driver at fault.