Most accidents aren't caused by bad luck — they're caused by drivers who only watched the car in front of them. Defensive driving flips that: you watch everything, assume everyone might err, and always keep yourself an exit.
1. Scan wide, not narrow
Beginners stare at the bumper ahead. Trained drivers sweep mirrors every 8–10 seconds, check side streets before crossings, and read brake lights three cars forward. It feels busy for a week — then it becomes automatic, and the road starts feeling slower.
2. Own your space cushion
Keep a three-second gap in good weather, six in rain. Resist the urge to close gaps in traffic; the few seconds you "save" are exactly the seconds you'd need to stop. On highways, position yourself where you can see — and be seen — rather than hiding in blind spots.
3. Speed is a choice, not a target
Limits are maximums for perfect conditions. Wet road, low sun, tired eyes, unfamiliar street — each one is a reason to drop 10 km/h. Defensive drivers arrive two minutes later and a lifetime safer.
4. Expect the mistake
The car edging out of the side street hasn't seen you. The cyclist will wobble. The taxi will stop suddenly. Cover your brake, ease off the accelerator, and you'll already be reacting before the hazard fully forms.
5. Practise it deliberately
Defensive driving degrades without use. Our advanced course rebuilds it in six sessions with scored drives — or start smaller: pick one habit from this article and practise only that for a week.
- This week: mirror sweep every 10 seconds
- Next week: three-second following gaps
- Then: covering the brake at every junction