There are a lot of bad drivers out there.  Accidents happen on the evening news every day.  Traffic control cameras have captured some incredible crashes.  So, along with the horrible sights of motor accidents, the news might talk a lot about the need for defensive driving.  What is defensive driving?  Despite the name, driving defensively has nothing to do with weaponry.  It’s based more on preventing accidents from happening, rather than giving you the excuse to drive a tank down the highway to the music of The Ride of the Valkyries.

Stay Awake, Stay Alive

What is defensive driving about?  It is about keeping aware at all times about your surroundings and what the other drivers around you are doing.  It is also about keeping a safe distance from other drivers, driving at safe speeds and being well enough to drive.  It also means being a considerate, responsible driver who takes care of his or her car’s maintenance, so it doesn’t cause an accident.  There is an ancient practice of stress management and spiritual enlightenment called meditation.  In meditation, you basically focus all of your attention on one thing at a time.  Meditating in a car is what defensive driving can be seen as. 

You ever see The Blues Brothers?  One car, the Bluesmobile, is responsible for dozens and dozens of pile ups along the entire state of Illinois.  Although all the cars in the movie were driven by stunt drivers, it does illustrate the need to be awake and alert when driving. 

Some Other Tips

What is defensive driving for?  To keep your perspective about other drivers.  Other drivers do things that annoy us – they don’t mean to do things TO annoy us.  Try not to take every tailgater, lane-cutter, left turn signal stuck, finger flying driver so seriously.  Do you really want to risk getting killed over who is in front of who on a road?  If you do have to vent anger, do it AFTER pulling over so you do not risk yourself or any other driver.  It is better to be an hour late to a meeting calming down from a near-accident than to go to the hospital because you drove with thoroughly shaken nerves.

What is defensive driving for the non driver?  Don’t distract the driver.  Help the driver by keeping your trap shut.  What is defensive driving at its best when you decide to take public transportation?  Not being responsible for driving can give your nerves, and your entire body’s health, a break.  The bus driver takes all the blame, then, leaving you an innocent passenger. 

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