Defensive Driving

Defensive driving means:

• Watch the traffic well
• Have the vehicle under control at all times
• Recognize dangerous situations early
• Braking may minimize the risk of collision

Defensive driving doesn't mean:

• Generally slow driving
• Hide in fear behind the steering wheel
• Always let the others go first

Watching the traffic well

Be fit and awake to look foresightful, watch the traffic behind you frequently in the mirror, recognize signs if another motorist may behave incorrectly.

Most common misconduct:
Driving under stress, exhaustion, alcohol, drugs or critical medications. Lack of concentration at the wheel, distracted by cell phone, discussions, loud music.

Having the vehicle under control

The driver always has to be able to stop safely within a manageable distance. Before blind corners in mountainous regions, the pace has to be reduced drastically.

The observance of the safety distance to the front vehicle is the first priority: Normally 1.5 - 2 seconds (7 car lengths).

Whoever rear-ends frequently, raises his own risk and the vehicle's that is driving ahead!

The technical condition of the vehicle must be okay: air pressure and profile of the tires, steering, brakes, shock absorbers, lighting fully functional.

Recognize hidden dangers and estimate the road correctly

Slow down before curves enough to be prepared in residential areas for children, at construction sites expect bulldozers and trucks maneuvering etc. Falling leaves in autumn, consider greasy road surface when it starts to rain.

The tire grip on slippery snow decreases at about 10-20%, which means for the safe driving through a curve it is only allowed to drive about one-third of normal speed. The lateral acceleration increases with the square of the driving speed.

Observe yourself: Own minor driving errors, "which otherwise never happen", should be cause for increased concentration!

Consider the psychological factors of the driving time and the weekly rhythm

Critical times are according to the statistics Friday night, Saturday after midnight, Monday morning: There are increasingly stressed, distracted and careless drivers.
In addition: Allow plenty of time for travel, on the street, no one can really catch up substantial periods of time again, to which he started too late! Always drive the same speed: In a speed appropriate to the circumstances.

Most common misconduct:
Overconfidence in party mood at the weekend, often contributed by alcohol and stimulant drinks, led to near unlocking, to high speeds on confusing roads and risky overtaking. For this, the reaction time is prolonged.

Excessive speed is a very common cause of accidents.

How to identify an aggressive motorist
An uneven, high speed driving, unnecessary acceleration and braking, near unlocking, abrupt lane changes, light horn on the left lane on the highway when the car in the front does not immediately move aside, indecent gesture.

Let him go first and think of something else, more beautiful!

To Learn More About Correct Road Behavior Visit Our Video-Test Section