Car reviews
Becoming an advanced, defensive driver
It is no secret that accidents are a regular occurrence on South African roads leading to many fatalities, especially over the holiday period.
It is only by displaying a positive mental attitude to driving that we can become professional, advanced, defensive drivers and in so doing, make our roads safer for all.
A professional driver refers to any person who earns money from transporting goods and/or passengers. In other words, anyone who needs a Professional Driving Permit, known as a PrDP, will legally be classified as a professional driver. One may argue that sales representatives, consultants, tradespeople and everyone who drives to and from work could fall in this definition, even if they do not require a PrDP.
The simple definition of professional in advanced, defensive driving would be a knowledgeable and skilful driver. Such a driver will also be empathetic, compassionately understanding the behaviour of different road users and anticipating hazards. He/she would be ‘driving the next person's car' as well as their own, looking through the other driver's windscreen and predicting hazardous outcomes before his/her brake lights come on. This would go a long way towards reducing stress and road rage in the country.
Advanced in this context means that the driving skills course undertaken passes way beyond what is offered in the now really outdated K53 driving license test system. A certified and reputable advanced driving skills course will cover many mental aspects, such as observation, concentration and the ability to identify hazards and manage these.
Enhancing one's mental ability to drive means that a person's defensive driving skills are sharpened. Not only will the driver be trained to concentrate and be alert, avoiding all distractions, he/she will also be able to look far ahead, have the foresight to identify potential hazards, make the correct judgement and deal with them timeously before it become a crisis.
A competent driver also needs to possess basic, but sound, knowledge of how a car works, why it behaves the way it does in various conditions, appreciate the laws of physics and the forces of nature acting on a vehicle, apply the rules of the road and importantly, understand and anticipate the behaviour of different road users.
The defensive driver will operate the vehicle with ‘mechanical sympathy', ensuring that they enjoy optimal vehicle performance without excessive wear-and-tear and undertaking services and repairs timeously. They will drive economically, not only to save expensive fuel, but also to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.
A defensive driver should be street-wise and constantly aware of his/her surroundings to avoid becoming a victim of criminal activities. Constant vigilance at intersections and on quiet roads, choosing safe places to park and being careful of suspicious characters on the roads will ensure that they do not become easy prey for criminals.
An advanced, defensive driver will conduct regular pre-trip inspections of both the interior and exterior of a vehicle. This preventative exercise could save a great deal of time, inconvenience and heartache should a breakdown occur in an unsafe place.
Anyone can be an advanced, defensive driver, either through self-learning or by doing a formal course through a reputable driver training academy. It all comes down to displaying the right attitude.