Hazard Spotting: Navigating Adverse Conditions (Rain, Ice, Night)
Driving conditions are not always ideal, and defensive drivers adapt their techniques to maintain safety in adverse weather or low visibility. Each condition presents
unique challenges that require specific adjustments to speed, following distance, and awareness.
Always ensure your vehicle is well-maintained for all conditions, including good
tires, working lights, and clear windshield wipers.
Driving in Rain
Reduce speed significantly. Increase following distance. Use headlights. Be wary
of hydroplaning, where tires lose contact with the road on wet surfaces.
Driving on Ice/Snow
Drive very slowly. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration. Use gentle steering
inputs. Watch for 'black ice,' which is nearly invisible but extremely dangerous.
Driving at Night
Reduce speed to allow for shorter stopping distances. Use high beams when
appropriate, but dim them for oncoming traffic. Be extra vigilant for pedestrians
and animals.
Eliminating Distractions: Staying Focused Behind
the Wheel
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents. Anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind off the road can be a distraction.
As defensive drivers, our priority is to eliminate these interferences and maintain full concentration on the task of driving.
23% 1.5x 4.6s
Texting While Driving Eating/Drinking Changing Radio
Increases crash risk by 23 times Makes drivers 1.5 times more likely to be Takes an average of 4.6 seconds of a
compared to non-distracted driving. involved in a collision. driver's attention, equivalent to driving
blind at 55 mph for the length of a
football field.
Before you start your journey, adjust your mirrors, climate controls, and radio. If you need to make a call or send a message, pull
over safely. Your focus is your greatest asset on the road.
Sharing the Road: Vulnerable Users (Cyclists,
Pedestrians)
Roads are shared spaces, and defensive drivers recognise that certain users are more vulnerable than others. Cyclists and
pedestrians lack the protective shell of a vehicle, making them highly susceptible to serious injury in a collision. Special vigilance is
required when sharing the road with them.
Interacting with Cyclists Interacting with Pedestrians
• Give them ample space: Treat bicycles like any other • Yield at crossings: Always stop for pedestrians in
vehicle, allowing at least 1.5 metres (5 feet) when passing. crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked.
• Check blind spots: Cyclists can be difficult to see, especially • Be cautious in residential areas: Children and pets may
when turning or changing lanes. unexpectedly enter the road.
• Be predictable: Use clear signals and avoid sudden movements. • Look before turning: Pedestrians may be crossing the street
you are turning into.
Patience and courtesy are key to preventing accidents and ensuring everyone's safety on the road.
Dealing with Aggression: Staying Calm & Composed
Road rage and aggressive driving are dangerous and can escalate quickly. A defensive driver understands that reacting to aggression only
puts them and others at greater risk. The goal is to avoid confrontation and ensure personal safety, even when provoked.
Don't Engage
Avoid eye contact, gestures, or any actions that could be misinterpreted as a challenge. Do not retaliate.
Give Space
If another driver is aggressive, increase your following distance. If they are tailgating, safely change
lanes to let them pass.
Avoid Escalation
Do not block their path or try to teach them a lesson. Your safety is paramount.
Report if Necessary
If you feel threatened or observe extremely dangerous driving,
note the vehicle's description and licence plate and report it to the
authorities when safe to do so.
Your Defensive Driving Pledge: Key Takeaways & Commitment
You've now explored the core principles of defensive driving. This isn't just a set of rules; it's a commitment to a mindset that prioritises safety, vigilance, and
responsibility every time you get behind the wheel. Your pledge to defensive driving makes our roads safer for everyone.
Prioritise Awareness
Commit to continuous visual scanning and anticipating potential hazards from other drivers and road conditions.
Maintain Safe Distances
Always adhere to the 2-second rule, extending it in adverse conditions, to ensure adequate reaction time.
Eliminate Distractions
Pledge to keep your focus entirely on the road, putting away phones and avoiding other non-essential activities while driving.
Share with Care
Resolve to be especially cautious and respectful towards vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians.
Stay Calm Under Pressure
Promise to never engage with aggressive drivers and to maintain your composure in challenging situations.
Thank you for your dedication to becoming a safer, more responsible driver. Let's make every journey a safe one.
