Mastering Defensive Driving with the AIR Defense Strategy: Anticipate, Identify, React – DriveSafe Online®

Understanding the AIR Defense Strategy

Anticipate:

• Look Ahead: Defensive driving begins with scanning the road ahead, anticipating the movements of other drivers, and predicting potential hazards. Look beyond the vehicle in front of you to see what lies ahead.
• Traffic Flow: Anticipate changes in traffic flow, such as upcoming intersections, lane merges, or exits. Be prepared for fluctuations in speed and adjust your driving accordingly.

Identify:

• Potential Hazards: Actively identify potential hazards on the road, including other vehicles, pedestrians, debris in the road, and environmental factors. Recognize situations that may require immediate attention or evasive action.
• Blind Spots: Regularly check your blind spots to identify vehicles that may be in your vicinity but aren’t visible in your mirrors. Utilize your mirrors effectively to maintain awareness of your surroundings.

React:

• Swift Responses: The ability to react quickly and effectively is at the core of defensive driving. If a potential hazard is identified, respond promptly by adjusting your speed, changing lanes, or applying brakes as necessary.
• Escape Routes: Always be mindful of potential escape routes. Know where you can move your vehicle if a sudden hazard arises, allowing you to avoid a collision or navigate around obstacles.

Implementing the AIR Defense Strategy

Maintain a Safe Following Distance:

• Anticipate: Keep a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of you. Anticipate sudden stops or changes in speed to prevent rear-end collisions.
• Identify: Recognize the potential for abrupt braking by the vehicle ahead and be prepared to react promptly.
• React: If the vehicle in front of you brakes suddenly, react by maintaining a safe stopping distance. This ensures you have ample time to respond without colliding with the vehicle ahead.

Stay Alert in Traffic Intersections:

• Anticipate: Anticipate changing traffic signals and the actions of other drivers at intersections.
• Identify: Identify vehicles approaching from other directions, pedestrians crossing, and potential red-light runners.
• React: React quickly to green lights by checking for any delayed cross traffic. Be prepared to yield the right of way if another driver fails to stop at a red light.

Watch for Erratic Driving Behavior:

• Anticipate: Be vigilant for signs of erratic driving behavior in other motorists, such as swerving, aggressive maneuvers, or sudden lane changes.
• Identify: Identify potential hazards by recognizing the signs of impaired or distracted driving.
• React: React swiftly by creating additional space between your vehicle and the erratic driver. Consider changing lanes or allowing the vehicle to pass to avoid potential collisions.

Be Cautious in Inclement Weather:

• Anticipate: Anticipate changing weather conditions and their impact on road surfaces.
• Identify: Identify potential hazards such as slippery roads, reduced visibility, or the presence of black ice.
• React: React by adjusting your driving speed, turning on headlights in low visibility, and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles. Consider delaying travel during severe weather conditions.

Use Mirrors Effectively:

• Anticipate: Continuously scan your mirrors to anticipate the movements of vehicles around you.
• Identify: Identify vehicles approaching from behind or alongside your vehicle.
• React: React by adjusting your speed, signaling lane changes, or making space for merging vehicles based on the information gathered from your mirrors.