The standard Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations, ANSI/ASSE Z15.1, defines defensive driving as "driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others." This definition is taken from the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course. It is a form of training for motor vehicle drivers that goes beyond mastery of the rules of the road and the basic mechanics of driving

Driving

Driving is the controlled operation and movement of a land vehicle, such as a car, truck or bus.Although direct operation of a bicycle and a mounted animal are commonly referred to as riding, such operators are legally considered drivers and are required to obey the rules of the road...

. Its aim is to reduce the risk of driving

Car accident

A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...

 by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others. This can be achieved through adherence to a variety of general rules, as well as the practice of specific driving techniques.

History

A driver safety program called the Driver Improvement Program was developed in 1964 by Chris Imhoff of the (US) National Safety Counsel. . The program instituted a Defensive Driving Course (DDC). Defensive Driving Courses, along with Instructor Development Courses were offered beginning 1964 and 1965, typically through corporate sponsorships.

Training and Courses

Several government agencies, non profit organizations, and private schools have launched specialty courses that improve the public's driving skills. In the United States a few of the familiar courses in defensive driving include Alive at 25, DDC or Defensive Driving Course, Coaching the Mature Driver, Attitudinal Dynamics of Driving, Professional Truck Driving, and DDC for Instructors. In relation to this, the government has launched active Air Bag and seat Belt safety campaigns that encourage High Visibility Enforcement.

In addition to improving one's own driving skills, many U.S. states provide an incentive to complete an approved defensive driving course by offering mandated insurance discounts or a way to mask a traffic ticket from one's driving record. In some instances these courses are referred to as traffic school or a defensive driving school. States with the biggest incentives are Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and other. A number of private providers offer variety of courses. The method and style of the course carries from course to course.

See also

• Advanced Driving Test
  Advanced Driving Test
  The advanced driving test is a special exam for motorists who can drive to a skill level substantially above average, and candidates who passed are called advanced drivers...
  
  
• Automobile safety
  Automobile safety
  Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of automobile accidents. Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of...
  
  
• Impact Teen Drivers
  Impact Teen Drivers
  Impact Teen DriversPositive Teenager driving facts83% of all teenage drivers grow up to become good successful adult drivers78% of all accidents reported are not due to age but due to lack of experience is these situations...
  
   (in the US)
• Road-traffic safety
  Road-traffic safety
  The term road traffic safety is about the risk of a person being killed or seriously injured while using the road network as a pedestrian, cyclist, motorist or user of on road public transport...
  
  
• Roadcraft
  Roadcraft
  Roadcraft refers to the system of car or motorcycle control outlined in two books Roadcraft: The Police Driver's Handbook and Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook.- Overview :...
  
  
• National Safety Council
  National Safety Council
  The National Safety Council is a 501 nonprofit, nongovernmental public service organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. Headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, NSC is a member organization, founded in 1913 and granted a congressional charter in 1953...
  
  
• National teen driver safety week
  National Teen Driver Safety Week
  National lak;dsf tanner Safety Week annually during the third week of October in the United States. It was established by Congress in 2007.- Background of the Teen Driving Problem :...
  
  (in the US)

External links

• "WHO (World Health Organization)| World report on road traffic injury prevention" www.NJDefensiveDriving.com