Your behavior on the road greatly influences traffic safety. The foundation for safe driving lies in the fundamental rule - not to endanger or obstruct others. There are four types of conduct that collectively constitute ideal driving behavior:
- Adaptive driving behavior.
- Assertive driving behavior.
- Defensive driving behavior.
- Social driving behavior.
Adaptive Driving Behavior
Adaptive driving involves adjusting your speed to match the rest of the traffic, ensuring smooth flow and minimizing inconvenience to others. Remember to abide by the speed limit.
Adaptive driving also entails controlled driving: looking ahead and maintaining a safe distance enables you to brake or stop smoothly when necessary (Stopping distance & 2 second rule)
Assertive Driving Behavior
Being an assertive driver means that you follow the applicable traffic rules firmly and without hesitation in normal traffic situations. This includes avoiding unnecessary waiting and not allowing others to go ahead without reason.
However, in unexpected or unclear situations, it’s advisable to take a moment to determine the best course of action.
Sometimes it is safer to solve a traffic situation in a different way than the traffic rules prescribe. In that case, you act in agreement (through eye contact and hand signals) with the other driver(s) as much as possible.
Defensive driving
Defensive driving means that you try to avoid accidents as much as possible. You do this by making as few mistakes as possible, taking into account possible mistakes made by others, and adapting your driving behavior to the circumstances.
To drive defensively, you need to have traffic insight, pay attention, look ahead and act accordingly.
Defensive driving means sometimes you stop for somebody that should’ve given you the way.
Social driving behavior
You behave socially in traffic when you are willing to help other road users. Even when another (consciously or unconsciously) makes a mistake.
Most dangerous traffic situations are caused by human error.
Social driving is being considerate of others and doing what you can to keep traffic safe for everyone.
Examples
- Giving way to cars belonging to a funeral procession.
- Not driving through a big puddle of rain if it means splashing a pedestrian. ‼️
- Giving a truck driver room to turn.
Vulnerable road users ‼️ Safe driving is also taking into account the interests of other -vulnerable- road users, wanting to help others and accommodate any mistakes others make as best as possible.
Safe driving behavior
Safe driving is behavior in which you drive appropriately, decisively, defensively and socially. You follow the traffic rules, except when not following a rule is safer for you and the road users around you.