Road Safety: The Main Benefits Of Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is a driving technique that puts safety first by considering the different driving conditions as well as the other drivers on the road. People are often overly confident about their driving skills. They sometimes think they are much better drivers than they actually are, but even if you’re the best driver out there, you can’t really be sure how other drivers are going to act on the road. Therefore practicing defensive driving is important, and there are some main benefits of doing so that you should know about.

1. Legal Protection

While defensive driving can go a long way to lessen your chances of being in an accident, it can’t completely eliminate them since you can’t control other drivers. If you ever find yourself in an accident, as a car accident attorney from Palm Springs explains, establishing who the negligent party was is important. In legal terms, negligence means behaving in a way that does not meet the ordinary care and prudence of other drivers. If the court believes you’ve been practicing good defensive driving, it will be more inclined to rule in your favor. This not only means that your records will stay clean but also that you’ll likely be entitled to compensation for the damages and/or injuries you’ve suffered through. This includes, but is not limited to, medical expenses, lost income, car damage, and pain and suffering.

2. Safety

Of course, being a defensive driver means that you’ll be far safer on the road as well. Some of the most common car accidents happen exactly because the driver wasn’t paying attention to the road. By practicing defensive driving, you’ll be more aware of your surroundings and prepared for any dangerous situations, so the chances of being involved in a car accident will drop immensely. This will not only keep you physically safe but save you from unnecessary stress as well, which is also important for your overall health and wellbeing. For example, defensive driving includes always staying within the speed limit, not having any distractions, leaving a fair distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, and remaining patient even in the most frustrating situations. If you ever find yourself driving in bad weather conditions, such as heavy rains or slippery roads, always opt for safety rather than speed.

3. Confidence

A lot of people are insecure about their driving skills, but by practicing defensive driving they can gradually build up their confidence. If you’re not confident about your own abilities yet, it might be a good idea to learn more about defensive driving and the benefits it has to offer before you try and find out if you really are as gifted behind the wheel as you’d like to be. You can also try taking a defensive driving course so you’ll learn the skills necessary to drive safely. However, as long as you have your driver’s license, you don’t really need to take extra courses for this. Consider everything that might be a distraction to you while driving – not just your phone, but also avoid having arguments in the car, and never drive tired. It’s also important that you’re always aware of the traffic around you. If you get the chance, consider the drivers themselves and not just where the other cars are positioned on the road. That way, if someone seems a bit upset or nervous, you’ll know to be extra careful and perhaps even give them a wide berth.

4. Money Saving

Defensive driving can also be beneficial for your wallet since you won’t have to spend as much on gas and maintenance costs. Driving fast, making sudden stops, and not being aware of the other cars on the road are all factors that cause you to have to refill your tank more often. Your car will also require more repairs if it’s involved in an accident, so by practicing defensive driving you can avoid these types of expensive setbacks. Furthermore, parking tickets and speeding fines only add up over time. If you’re driving safely, you’ll not only avoid these types of issues but also be able to save money that can otherwise be used for other things.

5. Stress Reduction

Although our lives are extremely busy and often full of stress, it’s important that we take the time to relax every once in a while. Driving tends to be rather stressful for many people, and it’s important that we find a way to deal with this type of tension in order to keep our overall wellness. There are many ways for us to relax and manage stress, but one of the best ways is by avoiding different stressors. By practicing defensive driving, you’ll be able to drive safely knowing that you’re not endangering any lives but your own as well as those of the people around you. This way, you can relax and enjoy the ride instead of worrying about the other drivers on the road. Defensive driving will take time to master, but if you continue to practice it for your own safety and that of those around you then it’ll soon become second nature.

6. Lower Insurance Premiums

People often think that driving lessons can help lower your insurance premiums, but if you’re the safest driver out there, good driving practices will still not guarantee you save on your car insurance because other drivers are involved. However, if you practice defensive driving well enough to make it part of your driving behavior, this will reflect well on the safety of other drivers as well. Insurance companies are generally more inclined to reduce premiums for their clients if they know they’re safer. The more drivers practice defensive driving, the lower car insurance premiums will become for everyone. That said, if you do get into an accident, there’s a chance that your insurance premium will go up. However, it might still be lower than what it would’ve been if you weren’t practicing defensive driving.

To conclude, driving is not just about getting from one place to another. It’s also very much a responsibility because you’re controlling something that can cause damage and/or injuries if mishandled. The best defense, in this case, is to never be reckless or negligent while behind the wheel – always remember that your actions will affect everyone around you, keep these 6 main benefits of defensive driving in mind, and enjoy the ride!