What Is Defensive Driving?
Defensive driving emphasizes safe driving maneuvers that will enable a driver to react to any adverse situation in a predictable manner. These skills cover more than abiding basic traffic laws and procedures.
The art of being a conscientious driver involves enhancing your safety and minimizing the possibility of you being involved in a car accident. Often a defensive driving class will help motorists enhance their driving skills by reducing their driving risks by anticipating situations and making safe, well-informed decisions. Drivers well versed in defensive driving often take variables such as road and environmental conditions present into account when they are out on the road.
Advantages of a Defensive Driving Course
The advantages of participating in a defensive driving course vary with each state, but often include a reduction of points on your driver’s license following a ticket and the assurance that insurance rates will not increase. In other states, participating in a defensive driving course can reduce your insurance rate up to 10 percent for a period of three to five years.
Requirements for defensive driving vary in each state as much as the benefits. On the average, a typical defensive driving classes are four hours long, while others can range from six to eight hours.
Some states allow you to take your defensive driving class online or by watching a videotape or DVD, whereas certain states only allow students to take defensive driving in a classroom setting.
It is important to note that all drivers, not just those who have points on their license, can benefit from a defensive driving course. Many motorists have been driving for decades and could use a refresher course on safe driving.
The Defensive Driving Course Curriculum
Each state regulates the curriculum of its defensive driving course; however, much of the core of the content will be the same throughout the county.
A basic outline of what is covered is defensive driving course is as follows:
- Traffic accidents result in an annual average of 41,000 deaths per year with an additional 3,236,000 injuries. The objective of defensive driving is to mitigate the risk of these car accidents by properly educating students to utilize caution and good judgment behind the wheel.
- Psychological factors can affect a motorist’s ability to drive. The goal of defensive driving is to overcome negative psychological factors such as unneeded stress, fatigue, emotional distress, and road rage. A positive attitude often helps.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is not only risky, but also illegal. The consequences of engaging in this behavior can alter your life in a negative fashion, along with that of fellow motorists. A defensive driving course will inform you of a state’s limits as to blood alcohol level; how your judgment, inhibitions, motor skills, and senses are affected by drugs and alcohol; and penalties that will be imposed on you if you are found guilty of driving under the influence.
- Using seat belts can help you survive a car accident, and the aim of defensive driving is to inform you how to use your vehicle’s safety equipment to not only stay safe but also see the big picture of the road when you are driving.
Preventing Car Accidents
A sound defensive driving strategy for a motorist is knowing how to avoid traffic accidents and recognize potential hazards before it is too late. When you take a defensive driving class, you will learn accident prevention techniques.
For the most part, a defensive driving course will cover the following accident prevention techniques:
- Scanning the roadway and adapting to surroundings
- Employing the two-second rule for following distances
- Being aware of your vehicle’s stopping distance
- Knowing your reaction distance
- Environment hazards
- Vehicle emergencies
- Sharing the road
- Passing and necessary clear distance
- Right of way
- Speed adjustments and railroad crossings
Washington DC Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King Help Drivers Involved in Accidents Involving Reckless Drivers
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident involving a reckless driver, reach out to the Washington DC car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King. Our knowledgeable and experienced team will go over your case and get the compensation for which you are entitled. Call us today at 202-331-1963 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Washington, DC, we work with car accident victims in Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, and Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.