Defensive driving skills can help keep your trip safe from start to finish. By practising defensive driving skills on a regular basis, you will help to reduce the number of collisions that occur on our roads.

Did you know...

• The majority of collisions are preventable; caused in large part by driver error.
• A safe driver is not merely someone who hasn't gotten a traffic ticket or been in a collision.
• A safe driver drives defensively, knows what is going on around them and looks out for others.
• A safe driver never assumes that the other driver is going to drive safely or obey the rules of the road.
• Skill, patience and being alert are elements of defensive driving that help you avoid a potential crash.

Keep your distance

• Maintain a two-second following distance under normal driving conditions. In bad weather or on poor roads, increase your following distance.
• Posted speed limits are set for ideal road and weather conditions. It is up to you to reduce your speed in hazardous conditions.
• Give large trucks more space, especially when they are turning or you are attempting to pass them. An excellent rule of thumb is "If you can't see the truck driver in his side mirror, he can't see you." Remember, it takes longer to pass a large vehicle.

Scan your surroundings

• Look about 12-15 seconds ahead (one to one-and-a-half blocks) when travelling in urban areas. Look about 25 seconds ahead in rural areas. Scan behind and to the left and right regularly.
• Be in the proper driving lane well before you exit or turn. Be prepared for other drivers to change lanes suddenly to exit. Avoid making hasty lane changes.
• Be cautious around cars driven erratically.

Think ahead - avoid a crash

• Read the road ahead and stay alert. If you must swerve to avoid something in your lane, move to the right if possible. Do not move to the left. Reduce your speed, ride right off the road if necessary.
• Always position your vehicle for a glancing blow instead of a head-on collision. If you must hit something, the best choices to make (if you can) are to hit:
  • something that is moving in the same direction.
  • a fixed object instead of an oncoming vehicle.
  • a vehicle instead of a pedestrian or cyclist.

Click a link below to listen to an MP3 radio spot:

• Follow Too Close
• Primetime - Concentrate
• Primetime - Left Hand Turn
• Primetime - Speed
• Primetime - Seatbelts