Driving is a crucial aspect of our everyday lives. It is not only a means of transportation but also a skill that demands responsibility and constant awareness. With the increasing number of cars on the road, the risk of accidents has significantly risen. This is where defensive driving comes into the picture. Surrey Driving Force, a leading driving school in Surrey, offers a top-notch defensive driving course that can contribute to making the roads safer for everyone.

Understanding Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is a proactive approach to operating vehicles that allow individuals to defend themselves against potential collisions caused by bad drivers, drunk drivers, and poor weather conditions. It goes beyond the basic rules of following road signs and using turn signals to maintain road safety. Defensive driving strategies include managing speed, expecting the unexpected, staying alert and distraction-free, maintaining a safe following distance, and driving according to road and weather conditions.

Why is Defensive Driving Essential?

Defensive driving plays a crucial role in ensuring safety on the road. Here’s why it’s important:

  1. Enhanced Safety: Defensive driving techniques can significantly increase your safety and that of others on the road.
  2. Increased Confidence: It helps boost confidence while driving, regardless of your destination.
  3. Risk Reduction: It can decrease the likelihood of being involved in an accident.
  4. Adapting to Changes: Defensive driving helps adapt to changes that can affect your driving ability, such as weather and road conditions.

Why Choose Surrey Driving Force for Defensive Driving Course?

Surrey Driving Force is committed to teaching the best defensive driving techniques. The advanced methods and techniques taught in the course enable drivers to anticipate situations and make informed decisions that may save lives and prevent accidents.

Benefits of Online Defensive Driving Course with Surrey Driving Force

An online defensive driving course with Surrey Driving Force offers numerous advantages:

  • Comfort of Home: Learn valuable skills from the comfort of your home.
  • Insurance Discounts: Qualify for a multi-year discount on your car insurance premiums.
  • Flexible Timing: The course can be taken at your own pace, making it convenient for individuals with a busy schedule.

Defensive Driving Techniques You’ll Learn

Defensive driving involves a variety of techniques that can assist in preventing road accidents. Here are some key techniques that Surrey Driving Force emphasises:

  1. MSPSL Routine: This stands for Mirrors, Signal, Position, Speed, and Look. It provides a structured approach to driving that helps deal with hazards on the road.
  2. LADA Routine: This stands for Look, Assess, Decide, and Act. It helps drivers avoid presuming knowledge of other road users and to stay focused on the road.
  3. OUT Routine: This involves looking Over, Under, and Through to identify potential hazards that may be obscured by other vehicles.

Defensive Driving and Road Safety Statistics

Defensive driving plays a significant role in road safety. Implementing effective road safety measures, including defensive driving techniques, could reduce the number of road accidents resulting in death or serious injury by up to 40%. Additionally, road accidents cost the UK economy an estimated £35 billion per year.

Common Hazardous Situations

Defensive driving techniques can help drivers navigate and manage various hazardous situations on the road. These include:

  • Heavy Traffic: Maintaining a safe following distance, scanning the road ahead for potential hazards, and avoiding sudden manoeuvres can reduce the risk of accidents in heavy traffic.
  • Adverse Weather Conditions: Adjusting driving speed and position to match the conditions on the road, using appropriate lighting and signalling, and maintaining a safe following distance can help manage driving in rain, snow, or other adverse weather conditions.
  • Urban Areas: Urban areas present a range of hazards, including complex road layouts, heavy traffic, and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Defensive driving techniques can help manage these challenges effectively.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, defensive driving is a vital set of skills necessary for ensuring safety on the road. By incorporating defensive driving techniques into regular driving practices, drivers can reduce the risk of accidents and contribute to safer roads. Surrey Driving Force, with its comprehensive defensive driving course, is dedicated to equipping drivers with these essential skills.

References:

  1. Department for Transport. Reported road casualties in Great Britain: annual report. 2020. Reported road casualties in Great Britain: annual report
  2. Road Safety Foundation. European Road Safety Atlas. 2019. European Road Safety Atlas
  3. Department for Transport. The economic cost of road crashes. 2019. The economic cost of road crashes