All drivers are obligated to follow the rules of the road. They’re also supposed to try to avoid accidents when possible. Simply obeying traffic signals or driving at the speed limit is not defensive driving. It is the standard expected practice that everyone should engage in.
Defensive driving, however, tends to take things a step further. Drivers go out of their way to take additional actions that may help them avoid a crash.
Merging on the interstate
One example of how this works is when someone is driving down the interstate and another driver is coming up the on-ramp and looking to merge into traffic. Technically, the driver who is already on the road has the right of way. They can continue on without slowing down or changing their course, and the driver who is entering the highway is responsible for finding a safe position to merge in.
That said, a defensive driver would likely seek to change lanes. They’ll move into the left lane to create additional space for the incoming driver to merge.
This is an extra step that they are not legally obligated to take. If they maintained their lane and the merging driver tried to force their way in, causing an accident, it would be that driver’s fault. But a defensive driver is not just concerned with being right. They are concerned with doing everything they can to avoid a crash, even when that goes beyond their strict legal requirements.
Car accidents and injuries
Being a defensive driver can lower the odds that you’ll be involved in a car accident, but nothing guarantees you won’t be injured when another negligent driver makes a mistake. If this happens to you, take the time to carefully look into your legal options to seek financial compensation.