Defensive driving is also referred to as advanced driving. Some may have heard of both, while others may have not heard of either! But what exactly do they mean? Whether you refer to such as defensive or advanced driving, they are both about becoming safer and more responsible on the road. A safer driver not only has an appreciation for the welfare of other road users, including themselves, they tend to be more environmentally focused in their approach to motoring.
By understanding more about defensive (or advanced) driving, will help you become a safer more environmentally friendly driver. Below are some tips that defensive drivers pay particular attention to when it comes to their car and motoring.
Taking a Defensive Driving Course
According to Drivers Domain UK (www.driversdomainuk.com) taking a defensive/advanced driving course will provide an excellent basis to become a safer, more environmentally friendly driver. Such a driving course will help iron our any bad habits you may have. It will also give you a fair appraisal of your own driving, and develop such, looking at a range of elements like car control, speed awareness, understanding of the rules of the road, planning, observation and anticipation. A course will typically last between half/full day should you decide on taking an intensive coaching only session, or over several weeks or months, should you join a local group, with a view of taking a test at the end.
The key element of defensive driving is helping a driver to anticipate and plan much more effectively. With effective planning and anticipation, you are not only seeing hazards much earlier, you are giving yourself more time to plan. A driver who plans tends to be safer as they are not “suddenly” having to respond to unseen hazards.
An outcome of planning is not only fewer collisions, but also lower fuel bills and less wear and tear on a car. Unplanned driving often results in poorer fuel consumption. Rushed gear changes, excessive acceleration and braking all use more fuel. A smoother more planned approved is less stressful for both you and your car!
Besides improving your level of driving, there are more tactics a defensive driver will pay attention to, when it comes to safer, more environmentally friendly driving.
Plan Your Routes
Do you always take the most fuel-efficient route when taking a journey? Try and avoid busy areas if possible and of course during rush hour. Rural routes, which are less congested, where you usually drive a little slower than on busy, faster roads tend to result in a more fuel efficient (and sometimes relaxing) drive. With fewer vehicles on the road will also allow you to travel at a speed more suited to you, as opposed to feel the pressure to speed up on more busy freeways and routes.
Tires
Never rely on your annual service to check tires. Tires, which are underinflated are much more likely to suffer a blowout, and will negatively impact on your vehicles handling and braking. Underinflated tires will also increase fuel consumption. You should check your tires at least once a month, and each day you should try and take a quick visual inspection to check for any obvious damage or tires, which appear to be deflating.
Compare Fuel Efficiencies
Has the time come to replace your car? If this is the case you should spend time researching the fuel economy figures. This is especially true if you cover a high annual mileage. In recent years cars have significantly improved in fuel efficiency. Even high performance cars of today can be more economical than older, less powerful models.
Loose The Weight
Do you carry around too many things in your car? Excessive weight in a car will increase fuel consumption, and impact on braking and also handling. It’s a quick win, so check if you are lugging around any excessive weight. Then remove it. If you have a roof rack you don’t use – remove it, its excessive weight and of course additional drag when the vehicle is moving.
Servicing
Having your car serviced regularly will help maximize fuel economy. Changing the oil and filters all contribute towards better fuel efficiency and performance, not to mention the preventative care, which will lower the chance of expensive failure of parts, due to neglect.
Auto Insurance
Get a number of quotes when it comes to insurance renewal time. When you have been with an insurer for a long period of time, they can increase the cover cost year-on-year. Insurers want your custom, so ensure you take advantage of this, and get the very best deal for you.
Trying just a few of these tips will help you become a safer, more fuel-efficient driver. Defensive driving as we refer to, has some great benefits every driver should take notice of. Whether your main objective is to save money, save the environment, or reduce the chances of yourself being involved in a traffic collision, becoming a defensive driver, whether taking training and passing a test, or simply being a little more mindful when it comes to your driving, will have a positive impact on your life.
