A 3-minute lesson from the Arizona course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Every driver eventually meets equipment failures, bad weather, unskilled drivers and people who ignore the rules. Defensive driving is how you stay safe anyway: you watch constantly, plan ahead and act before trouble reaches you.
Defensive driving
Being constantly aware of driving conditions, planning ahead, anticipating dangers and taking the right action so as not to come in contact with any obstacle or another vehicle.
Courtesy and consideration toward others are the most important driving attitudes you can develop — the key to safe driving. Concentration and alertness are also essential.
After getting your permit, practice starting, pulling out, stopping and controlling the vehicle in a parking lot or other open area with little traffic.
Experienced drivers face carelessness, overconfidence and bad habits. Improvement is measured by eliminating risk-taking, obeying speed limits and taking corrective action when needed.
You're upset after an argument and about to drive to work. The handbook treats emotional distress like impairment — wait until you're calm, or have someone else drive.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What best describes 'defensive driving'?
Only checking mirrors when changing lanes
Following the vehicle ahead as closely as possible
Being constantly aware of conditions, planning ahead, and anticipating dangers
Driving as fast as traffic allows
Answer: Being constantly aware of conditions, planning ahead, and anticipating dangers
Defensive driving means being constantly aware of driving conditions, planning ahead, and anticipating dangers to avoid a crash.