Car confidential: Which is better, defensive or offensive driving?

To be an effective driver; there is a defensive and offensive driving mode that is used when behind the wheel. These are driving skills that should be switched between, wheel in the city or freeway.

How do you drive? One answer and one question that should sum up anyone as a driver! Either way Defensive or offensive driving does become a double-edged blade depending on how responsibly it is applied.

Or it goes down to timing itself when to apply these techniques that are basic driver skills, and lack of either will not bode good for anyone but ill at its worst.

Most of the time; many veteran drivers do get into trouble and especially newbie drivers who need to learn how to drive. Driving ain’t a piece of cake, also getting the driving code down pat and applying both a defensive or offensive driving is important!

The advice from Philkotse.com that you should only be learned by having more driving experience as well!

1. What's important to you?

It’s all a matter of timing!

Traffic and the flow of how vehicles move on the road is an unconscious and conscious activity while on the road. It simply means that any driver can read the flow and movements of traffic to slide into the traffic flow, seamlessly without causing problems!

Cues and signals are vital to mesh into the traffic flow

Driving is all about reading cues and signals that should be familiarized with, but sometimes there is a problem caused by ignorance to traffic rules. Reading all signals should put anyone, at least one step except for those who refuse top mean in.

Either way Defensive or offensive driving does become a double-edged blade depending on how responsibly it is applied

Developing the sixth sense when driving!

Another aspect of driving besides following the traffic rules and significant driving skill; is developing a driver ‘sixth sense that kicks in when needed. Another term is using peripheral vision to catch any threats on the extreme side, to avoid accidents.

Decisiveness when driving is important!

One of the most significant is decisiveness and decision making when driving a car! Long-time drivers will be used to getting around without stop and go, unlike newbie drivers who are like ducklings taking to water now. Road rules don’t mean a thing, so getting the gumption to commit to a course of action is important.

Driving skill moving forward and committing to experience and knowledge, that should be developed which is important!

Now, these are the skill-sets that most drivers should develop and keep anyone safe, with the car intact! In time; all drivers will learn that defensive driving and offensive driving is a mirror skill that should be balanced.

Defensive driving: keeping bases covered and out of harm’s way!

Out on the road; there are several things to look out for and defensive driving is the shield that keeps everyone safe! Just think of all the chaos on the road and how it never really happens to fulfill itself fully.

Learning defensive driving is the key to move about and forward on the road, between defensive or offensive driving choosing defensive is much better.

Consider driving as a chess game; and the road is the chessboard, with the goal of reaching the destination unfazed and unscathed. Continually scanning and using the experience to predict how to drive defensively, and manage from the car's sensors and inputs. But, don’t forget personal judgment as built through experience too.

2. Defensive driving - is it suitable for you?

The benefits of defensive driving

• Keeps anyone one step ahead while driving, to avoid possible hazards.
• Avoiding road traps and making sure that there is no excuse for traffic enforces to give a ticket!
• Helps avoid inconveniences likes potholes, tail-gating drivers, PUVs that stop anywhere, and any other inconvenience while driving on the road.
• Gives an extra peace of mind when children are in the car. Defensive driving is the invisible armor that keeps anyone safe from the blatant disregard of mindless drivers for proper driving!
• Without defensive driving awareness; anyone can be at the mercy of irresponsible taxi, jeep, bus, and other PUV drivers who act like they own the road.

Defensive driving keeps anyone one step ahead while driving, to avoid possible hazards

The disadvantages of defensive driving

Too defensive is not good, because of indecisiveness while driving is a deadly mix. That is the cause of accidents which happens in sudden stops or misreading the situation.

• Does not give a good driving flow and an erratic way of driving will jeopardize others.
• Sometimes it takes time, and the drive can be slow!
• Too defensive driving is not very advisable because it is not safe and efficient.
• At times there will be a need for an aggressive driving mode, not always defensive.
• Some rough drivers will annoy defensive drivers because they think they’re pushovers.

Too defensive is not good, because of indecisiveness while driving is a deadly mix

>>> Read more: Beginner’s guide to defensive driving in the Metro

3. Offensive driving: beating them to the punch is a sure-fire formula for trouble

For some, this is not always advised, especially when it is not within a safe envelope of driving. Offensive driving is the absolute and polar opposite of defensive because this mode of driving erratic, too fast, disregards polite driving, and is how most rage drivers drive too! 

Although to be fair; when in emergencies this is a good skill, but only for this instance and nothing more. Many public utility vehicles are driven in this manner that draws anger from private motorists as well. 

Driving offensively is inherently dangerous and should be avoided unless really needed though. This way of driving will get anyone to his destination fast, but the trouble may not be worth it.

Driving offensively is inherently dangerous and should be avoided unless really needed though

Benefits of offensive driving

• The best defense is driving offensively to get ahead, and driving relaxed later!
• Getting stuck in the lane will not happen, because driving offensively means shifting lanes aggressively to get ahead of the defensive drivers.
• When involved with rage driving nut; driving offensively may scare him off. Most PUVs will not mess with a driver who is driving offensively against them, because they aren’t pushovers.
• Gets to the destination faster, compared to a slow and defensive driving mode!
• Some people get a high from driving fast and lose, unlike slowpoke safe drivers.

The best defense is driving offensively to get ahead, and driving relaxed later

>>> Also check: Tips to stay calm behind the wheel and avoid road rage.

Drawbacks when you are an offensive driver

• Anyone who drives this way is inconsiderate and causes more traffic, and does not follow traffic flow.
• Offensive driving is unsafe and could result in a serious accident.
• Many offensive drivers are often caught in fender-bender situations, because of carelessness and inconsideration.
• Not the best way to drive with children in the car! Especially if the car is a small car!
• Drive like this; and for sure the cops will be issuing a ticket, because of this intelligent way to drive. 

Many offensive drivers are often caught in fender-bender situations, because of carelessness and inconsideration

There it is, and defensive or offensive driving should be sorted out! Both have their pros and cons, but definitely must have good points too. Mastering both skills is important, and that will make everyone a better driver! Always remember how to make both meshes and flow with everyday traffic for best results!