Knowing what to look out for in other motorists’ driving behavior is a technique taught in defensive driving for new drivers. If the car in front of you is driving too slow or too fast, if the driver swerves from one side to the other, there is something wrong and the new driver needs to adapt his or her own driving behaviour accordingly to avoid an accident.
Knowing how to react when other road users’ driving becomes threatening was traditionally something that new drivers had to learn by bitter experience. Being able to recognize sub-standard driving in other road users and being able to respond proactively is a key element of defensive driving for new drivers’ instruction.
This type of knowledge is not required for passing one’s driving test, but it is required for driving safely throughout one’s life. Being able to analyse one’s own driving skills objectively and acknowledging areas which need improvement is part and parcel of defensive driving for new drivers’ tuition.
Knowing What to Do
Defensive driving for new drivers teaches learners to steer their vehicle away from hazardous situations without losing control of their car. Under-steering, over-steering and vehicle recovery methods are essential driving skills which traditionally were either not taught or rather disregarded during traditional practical instruction. When to speed up and when to slow down are skills that can save a new driver’s life, yet more time was typically spent on teaching how to park correctly than how to deal with potential emergencies.
Anticipation
Defensive driving for new drivers is based on anticipation of potential dangers as much as knowing how to deal with your vehicle’s mechanical emergencies.
Pedestrians, especially children, dogs, cyclists and motorcyclist can all be potential hazards when they use the road without due care and attention. Children have a habit of running out in front of a car, dogs chase each other across the road, and cyclists take unnecessary risks at crossings. Defensive driving for new drivers teaches beginners to be on the look-out for potential dangers on the road or hazards coming from pavement users.
Where is Defensive Driving for New Drivers Taught?
Driving schools offer defensive driving for new drivers and there are even online courses for those who have little time. There are online quick study guides, learner’s permit practice tests, road sign tests and driver’s license practice tests to choose from.
If you are a self-disciplined person and feel comfortable learning on your own, online courses are a good choice. You can learn at your own pace, go back over areas you feel need more practice and can progress to more advanced skills when you feel ready. Joining a defensive driving schools has the advantage for students that schools also offer winter driver training, instructing new drivers how to deal with ice, sleet, snow, and freezing fog conditions.
Attending a driving school teaching defensive driving for new drivers offers the chance of exchanging experiences with other driving students. Instructors are there to answer questions and students have the school’s teaching resources at their disposal.
