[RiderS]

My Thoughts:

Defensive driving is not limited to following the correct rules but more about being aware of the surroundings and anticipating the likely actions of other road users and taking appropriate precautions. Always expect the unexpected and prepare yourself for a worst scenario mentally in any given situation, this will keep you diligent on roads while driving.

[PrasannaDhana]

1. Look the farthest ahead while you drive. Gives you clear anticipation of traffic

2. Don't tailgate, avoid tailgaters

3. Use RVMs frequently. If you find someone driving/riding aggressively, let them pass

4. Be considerate to two wheeler riders, specially old people, women and people riding with kids. Also have patience with L board cars

5. Never brake aggressively unless you have to. Even then, look who's in your back

6. If the signal is yellow, just slow down smoothly.

7. Always stick to your lane. Can't stick to the lane? Slow down!

8. Be mindful of the fact that large vehicles (buses and lorries) have large blinds blindspots. Avoid moving into their blind spot. Always honk once while overtaking a lorry/truck (if daytime) or flash your hi/low beam (if at night)

9. Don't expect dogs/cattle to judge your speed. If you find a cattle in your path, Always move towards its backside. Remember, cows/Buffalos never move backwards. Slow down if you find cattle approaching. While slowing down, make sure you have no one tailgating you

10. Don't try to teach traffic lessons to anyone. They don't learn and it isn't worth it

11. Don't expect all humans to have common sense. Many don't.

12. A bus has stopped at the bus stop on a highway? Always expect someone to cross the road from the front of the bus. The person will be in your blind spot and you will be in their blind spot

13. Don't involve in road rage. Be the bigger person and move on

14. Long journey? Highway driving? Well, 90-100 kmph cruising gets you to the destination at the same time that 130-150 kmph aggressive driving would. Maximum delta would be 10 to 15 minutes. But driving at 90-100 will be much stress free, relaxing to you and the occupants and the car, while also giving excellent FE & reducing wear and tear of your car

15. Approaching a blind turn/curve? Always expect some idiot to ride/drive the wrong way. Reduce speed.

16. Approaching intersections, again, slow down!

17. Don't overtake around curves. Don't overtake multiple vehicles at a time.

18. On single lane roads,Keep left, all the time.

19. Emergency situation? A hard braking isn't always the solution. Braking + trying to evade impact by keeping cool and calm will save lives. Also, engine braking is vital.

[subie_socal]

Though I have only earned my license 4 years ago, and I'm in my rosy parts of my 20's, TeamBHP and channels like WhamBaam have influenced me a lot to refine my driving. Sure enough, I do still get agitated when some person beside me is navigating (I prefer phone/Android Auto navigation). But much improved than I was when I was newbie driver.

Some pearls I follow when the vehicle is in my command:

1) Be utmost patient. Driving requires your full concentration and attention. Even in situations where your vehicle fails in the middle of traffic, be alert and do the needful first, to not cause inconvenience to fellow road users around you

2) Adjust your RVMs till it minimises blind spots.

3) Prioritise pedestrians if the situation is favourable. Ideally one should stop for them, but this is India and things work differently. So stop for pedestrians or vehicles trying to cross, IF and WHEN it is possible.

4) Be polite and don't use your high beam unnecessarily.

5) Expect the unexpected. You cannot predict every action.

6) Only be in the command, when you're mentally and physically sane.

7) Respect your vehicle's limit. Even in my limited exposure to NH, I've seen people attempting what they shouldn't in puny Altos and Eons.

8) Respect cyclists and heavy vehicles.

9) If you are riding a two wheeler, don't be a jerk and dart across lanes, unnecessarily.

[tushar_j]

Excellent coverage by everyone!

Here are my 2 cents:
Since you will be driving defensively, you will be mostly driving relatively slower. You will be seen as a severe hindrance to rash drivers. In this case - always be predictable. What I mean by this is - you, as a defensive driver, stay your course and speed whatever you are currently doing. And any changes you make, make them very slowly. Predictability conveys intent to a large extent. If your intent is very clear, others will work your way around you, rash drivers or not. Rash drivers (in many cases) have that judgement to evade you given your current trajectory and speed. Any sudden acceleration or braking on your part will result in collision, altercation, or at best, scraping.

Based on above, try to understand intent. On 2-wheelers, for e.g., sometimes you will see a person repeatedly turning his head right, instead of giving right-side indicator. This gives good sense of intent and helps you tune your defensive driving. I know all this is not fool-proof, but it definitely helps a lot.

Road knowledge is different from driving knowledge. Many people do not know how to drive, but based on the areas they are familiar with, they can predict with high accuracy as to which type of vehicles will behave, in which manner, at which particular road/junction. Try traveling with a local and you hear things like - 'go slow here', 'keep on the left on this patch', 'this area has people crossing randomly, if you even as much as scratch them, the whole village will descend upon you', etc. Focus on control of the vehicle is top priority. Road knowledge is the unspoken next priority.

[Venkat_Figo]

2 rules I always follow:

- Anyone who wants to cut me off, I let them.
- Anyone wants to squeeze between me and other vehicle, I slow down & try to create as much space between me & the other vehicle as possible.