defensive driving course what does that mean

Driver Safety Courses (defensive driving) are all about providing you with tools to keep yourself and others safe. The lessons you learn in defensive driving have a butterfly effect on the whole world around you. Putting the lessons into practice on the road saves lives.

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What are the basic defensive driving skills?

Jun 27, 2021 · A defensive driving course will teach you how to remain calm and reduce feelings of stress, fatigue, and anger while driving. These psychological-based skills will improve your attitude and focus while driving. Human Factors A defensive driving course will remind you of the effects drugs and alcohol have on a person while driving.

Why to take defensive driving?

So much so that insurance companies frequently will give a discount if you’ve taken a defensive driving course, even if it was because of a speeding ticket. What is meant by defensive driving is saving lives. Defensive driving is the difference between driving home safely and being in a crash on your drive home.

What are some tips for defensive driving?

Jul 07, 2021 · Defensive driving protects you from other drivers, the weather and bad habits. Defensive driving is a technique to help you be better aware of your surroundings and how to react to situations you deal with while driving. It sounds very obvious, but you can only control your own actions behind the wheel. Even if you are driving perfect, there are things outside your …

What are defensive driving classes?

Aug 02, 2012 · A defensive driving course, or what some call traffic school, benefits all drivers, regardless of age or driving ability. A typical class, which includes online defensive driving programs, covers: Traffic crash statistics, including times when most crashes occur and age groups with the highest accident rates.

How to enroll in defensive driving?

Besides the obvious benefit of making you a better driver, there are several other reasons to enroll. These include: 1 Many auto insurance providers reward enrollment with lower premiums. Contact your car insurance agent and ask if this money-saving option exists with your plan. 2 Traffic tickets. Depending on your state or situation, completing a defensive driving course may prompt your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or presiding court to dismiss the charges. This could possibly prevent your drivers license from getting suspended or revoked. For example, say you have an excessive number of speeding tickets on your driving record, and you just got flagged again, putting you in jeopardy of being declared a habitual offender. Having the ticket removed could possibly save your driving privileges. 3 Some states reward traffic school enrollment with the removal of points. New York, for example, trims up to four points from a driving record. The exact number of points removed depends on state.

What is the danger of driving under the influence of alcohol?

The dynamics of a crash. This pertains to how speed, place of impact and size of vehicle affects the severity of the collision. An extensive look at safety equipment, addressing the importance of seat belts, head rests, air bags, and child safety seats.

How many points are removed from a driving record in New York?

Some states reward traffic school enrollment with the removal of points. New York, for example, trims up to four points from a driving record. The exact number of points removed depends on state. If you enroll for the purpose of tickets or points, be sure the traffic school you enroll in meets state approval. Otherwise, you will not be credited.

Why do I need to enroll in car insurance?

These include: Many auto insurance providers reward enrollment with lower premiums. Contact your car insurance agent and ask if this money-saving option exists with your plan. Traffic tickets.

Can you get your license suspended for defensive driving?

This could possibly prevent your drivers license from getting suspended or revoked.

What is defensive driving?

Defensive Driving is a concept that has been around for many years and has helped many drivers become safer, more proactive motorists. Defensive Driving encourages drivers to expect the unexpected and take precautions to prevent accidents before they happen. If you are interested in learning more about Defensive Driving, ...

What are the basic concepts of defensive driving?

1. Follow basic traffic laws. Drive at or below the speed limit, come to complete stops at stop signs, and follow proper merging procedures. The concept of Defensive Driving encourages drivers to understand that traffic laws are in place to protect motorists.

What is the 3 second rule?

Here is a short video that helps you use the Three Second Rule on the road: 3. Defensive Driving encourages drivers to decrease their likelihood ...

What does complete stop mean?

A complete stop means there is no forward momentum and your speedometer needle is at 0. 2. Many drivers have heard of the Three Second Rule. This safe driving tip suggests that your vehicle should pass a stationary object on the side of the road no earlier than three seconds after the vehicle driving in front of you has passed it. ...

Should tailgaters be avoided?

Tailgaters, swervers, and drivers keen on giving you the finger should be avoided at all cost. No good will come from antagonizing these types of drivers, or even participating in their antics. If you ever find yourself in a situation with an aggressive driver, slow down and allow them to drive away from you. 5.

What are the courses in defensive driving?

In the United States a few of the familiar courses in defensive driving include Alive at 25, DDC or Defensive Driving Course, Coaching the Mature Driver, Attitudinal Dynamics of Driving, Professional Truck Driving, and DDC for Instructors. In relation to this, the government has launched active air bag and seat belt safety campaigns that encourage high visibility enforcement.

What does defensive driving mean?

Some motorists describe defensive driving as "driving as if everyone else on the road were drunk.".

Why are advanced drivers safer?

British research has shown advanced drivers who use the roadcraft system of car control are safer and have better fuel efficiency too. The roadcraft system was devised in 1937 by racing driver Mark Everard Pepys, 6th Earl of Cottenham, to reduce accidents in police pursuits. A study by Brunel University found advanced drivers who had successfully completed the Institute of Advanced Motorists training were nearly 70% better in all aspects of their driving – from steering to judging distances and speed. Earlier research by Britain's Transport Research Laboratory that concluded drivers are less likely to crash if they have reached a measurable higher driving standard. Unpublished research by IAM Surety (an insurance company) showed that insurance claims by members of the Institute of Advanced Motorists were far cheaper than comparable non-members. Additionally – according to the Association of Motor Insurers – there is a reduction in claims for the first four years after passing the Institute of Advanced Motorists test.

What states offer defensive driving classes?

States with the biggest incentives include Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. A number of private providers offer a variety of courses.

How much better are advanced drivers?

A study by Brunel University found advanced drivers who had successfully completed the Institute of Advanced Motorists training were nearly 70% better in all aspects of their driving – from steering to judging distances and speed.

What is the purpose of a motor vehicle driver training program?

Its aim is to reduce the risk of collision by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others.

What is the meaning of "watching and respecting other drivers"?

Watching and respecting other drivers. Regarding your own vehicle: Maintaining a safe following distance. Driving safely considering (adjusting for) weather and/or road conditions. Adjusting your speed before entering a bend, in order to avoid applying the brakes in the middle of a bend.

What is defensive driving?

Defensive driving is about using a number of safe driving techniques that enable you to identify hazards and adapt your driving before you are at risk of an accident. It’s about anticipating hazardous situations and making safe decisions based on the situation and road conditions.

What is the need to be aware of when driving?

You need to be aware of how road users and pedestrians around you are behaving to adapt your driving. A pedestrian might be about to cross the road, a car may be tailgating you, or a car near you may suddenly change lanes.

How long does it take to react to a hazard?

A fit and alert driver requires about 1 second to react to a hazard, and responding also takes time. Braking will often be the only appropriate response to avoid a severe crash, as swerving may result in a more severe crash, e.g. a head-on collision.

What is it called when you leave too much space in front of a vehicle?

Failure to leave enough space in front is called tailgating and is a very common cause of rear-end crashes.

How to determine how large a safety margin is needed?

How large a safety margin that is needed is determined by a combination of the time you need to react and the time you need to respond. Your safety margin must be large enough so that you have time to react and safely stop or steer away to avoid a collision.

How many feet to brake at 30 mph?

At 30 mph you need roughly 120 feet to come to a complete stop (65 feet to react and 55 feet to brake) in good conditions. At 60 mph you need roughly 360 feet to come to a complete stop (130 feet to react and 190 feet to brake) in good conditions.

Does speed matter in a crash?

The “basic speed law” states that you must never drive faster than what is “reasonable and safe” for the current condition – it does not matter if the speed limit is higher.

2. Pullover if an Aggressive Driver is Bullying You

There is nothing worse than somebody following too closely behind. It can make you extremely nervous if another driver is speeding in hopes of getting you to move faster.

3. Pay Attention to What is Going on Around You

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is paying too much attention to what is going on in your car and not enough attention to those around you.

4. Avoid Distractions

With all the technology available in today’s day and age, many drivers find it difficult to stay on task while behind the wheel. You need to avoid all distractions including but not limited to: cell phones, playing with the radio, or disciplining children.

5. Keep Your Cool

It can be difficult to stay calm when other drivers are being so aggressive. It can also be challenging to keep your cool when sitting in traffic. Don’t turn into one of those people who are always angry on the road. If you let your emotions get the best of you, it could lead to an accident or ticket soon enough.