Specialists warn that most drivers react late or too softly at critical moments.
More and more drivers are discovering that Defensive driving is much more than following traffic rules: It is a discipline that teaches you to anticipate risks, understand how the vehicle responds and make safe decisions behind the wheel.
“It is often confused with road safety, but defensive driving is designed for those who already drive and want to understand how their car reacts when braking, turning or accelerating”explains Abel Ratowiecki, specialized instructor and head of the RTW school, approved by the National Road Safety Agency (ANSV), in dialogue with LN.
Ratowiecki emphasizes that knowing the law is not enough if you do not understand the physics behind the movement. “Each maneuver generates a weight transfer that must be anticipated. If you brake suddenly, the car loads forward; if you turn quickly, it tends to go to the opposite side. There is no technology that corrects a bad decision”he warns.
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Visual anticipation is another pillar: look far away, read the environment and avoid distractions. “The problem is not that people don’t know how to drive, but that they think about everything except driving. Accidents don’t happen suddenly: they start three seconds earlier. If you pay attention, you can avoid them”he states.
Driving posture also plays a fundamental role. Hands in the 9:15 position, slightly bent arms and comfortable legs are key to maintaining control and avoiding fatigue. “A bad position leaves you without the ability to react and exhausts you physically”he points out.
grandpa-drive
Photo: laportadacanada
The instructor also emphasizes the importance of maintaining distance and anticipating other people’s mistakes. “No two crashes are the same. You have to create space, concentrate and assume that others can fail. This way you begin to design possible exits.”
Finally, Ratowiecki emphasizes that assistance systems do not replace the driver: “ABS or stability control act when the error has already occurred. They are aids, not solutions.” And he questions the ease with which licenses are granted in the country: “Taking a turn and parking does not prove that someone knows how to drive safely.”
Defensive driving, more than a technique, is presented as a way of thinking: that of someone who assumes that in traffic, prevention is always worth more than reaction.
Source: Ambito
I’m a recent graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. I started working as a news reporter for 24 Hours World about two years ago, and I’ve been writing articles ever since. My main focus is automotive news, but I’ve also written about politics, lifestyle, and entertainment.
