Defensive Driving

Defensive driving means “always expect the unexpected.” The first step in driving defensively is to wear the safety belt. See Safety Belts on page 3‑15.

• Assume that other road users (pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers) are going to be careless and make mistakes.

Anticipate what they might do and be ready.

• Allow enough following distance between you and the driver in front of you.

• Focus on the task of driving.

    See also:

    Following Distance
    Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving the vehicle without a trailer. This can help to avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. ...

    Why Safety Belts Work
    Why Safety Belts Work When riding in a vehicle, you travel as fast as the vehicle does. If the vehicle stops suddenly, you keep going until something stops you. It could be the windshield, the ins ...

    Trailer-Tow Mirrors
    If the vehicle has towing mirrors, they can be adjusted for a clearer view of the objects behind you. Manually pull out the mirror head to extend it for better visibility when towing a trailer. Th ...