Defensive Driving Techniques Stats and Facts

FACTS

Potential Hazards of Defensive Driving

  1. While defensive driving encourages caution and anticipation, being overly cautious can lead to slow and hesitant driving, which might cause frustration to other drivers and disrupt the flow of traffic.
  2. In some cases, other drivers may misinterpret the intentions of a defensive driver, such as slowing down to maintain a safe following distance as a sign that they want other drivers to pass.
  3. Some aggressive drivers might view defensive driving practices as an opportunity to tailgate.
  4. While focusing on defensive driving, drivers might become complacent or overconfident in their skills, leading to distractions and a decrease in attention to the road.
  5. Not all drivers practice defensive driving, and some might behave unpredictably or negligently.
  6. Inexperienced drivers or those who have not received proper defensive driving training may not fully understand or correctly apply defensive driving techniques, leading to potentially hazardous situations.
  7. Some defensive driving techniques, such as smooth braking and acceleration, rely on well-maintained vehicles.

STATS

  • According to research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 77% of all crashes involve driver error, making defensive driving education a priority. Studies have found that individuals who complete formal driver training, such as defensive driving courses, have a 4.3% lower crash rate than those who do not take these classes.
  • Teen drivers who take a defensive driving course are 62% less likely to receive traffic violations and 43% less likely to be involved in an auto accident compared to teens without defensive driver training.
  • Commercial drivers also benefit from taking defensive driving courses: one study showed that they had 29% fewer collisions after completing such programs.
  • The NHTSA estimates 94% of serious motor vehicle accidents result from human errors which can be addressed through proper instruction during safety classes or seminars.
  • Motor vehicle fatalities could potentially decrease up to 43% if effective completion rates for these educational sessions increase significantly across North America’s roads and highways. Additionally, within two years, 20% of newly licensed young adults will experience some form of a automobile collision due to their inexperience behind the wheel, thus emphasizing the importance of having access to quality instructional materials like those provided via a comprehensive Defensive Driving Course curriculum.
  • 77% of crashes involve driver error, making defensive driving courses essential.