What does "defensive driving" mean?

Defensive driving refers to the practice of being aware of your surroundings, anticipating potential hazards, and making safe decisions to prevent accidents. This involves maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles, observing traffic laws, and being prepared to react to unexpected situations, such as sudden stops or erratic behavior from other drivers. By prioritizing caution and proactive strategies, defensive driving helps keep not only the driver safe but also passengers and other road users, contributing to overall roadway safety.

In contrast, driving aggressively to reach a destination faster poses risks by increasing the likelihood of collisions. Similarly, using distractions such as mobile devices can significantly detract from a driver's ability to respond effectively to the driving environment. Following too closely behind another vehicle can lead to rear-end collisions, as it reduces reaction time in the event of sudden braking. Thus, proactive anticipation and cautious behavior are the hallmarks of defensive driving.