Defensive Driving - On the Public Roads

Like society in reality, the public roads bear as much of a resemblance in terms of complexity and harshness. Think back to the days where you first entered the working society.... You may recall the steep learning curve that yourself have undergone to adapt yourself to the harsh and complex environment. To a driver fresh out of driving school, the same steep learning curve applies. No longer under the sheltered environment of the driving school, the new driver would have to come to terms with the many new road scenarios ranging from the constantly changing road conditions to errant drivers who refuse to give way and engage in bullying and intimidation acts! All these new scenarios add on a new learning dimension to the fresh driver, and forces him/her to adapt to the constant alterations. Learn it fast, learn it right and one becomes a street-wise driver who's able to respond calmly to any situations he/she encountered on the roads. Slow learners, in my opinion, often pay a hefty 'tuition fee' in the form of fines or compensation payment for accidents!

Driving on the public road certainly requires a fair bit of street-smart and logical thinking. The different genres of drivers present on the road give rise to a variety of interactions between drivers. Defensive driving would require one to practice constraints and remain calm in the event of provocative acts on the road. This may be the result of inconsiderate drivers who failed to signal when changing directions, drive recklessly, tailgating and all other forms of actions which would irritate the hell out of the average road users. At the same time, a defensive driver also anticipate well in advance and take precautionary measures against provocative acts by other road users. An example of this would be maintaining a safe car distance to allow space for inconsiderate drivers to suddenly cut in without signalling. Overall my road experience tells me that a defensive driver is usually one who keeps himself/herself out of trouble and pay the least 'learning fees' on the road.

That being said, it is understandable that when emotions override logical thoughts, we would engage in certain thrill-seeking action on the public road, just for the sake of an instantaneous excitement! Do however to remind ourselves that we should be mindful of the road conditions if ever we want to partake in such an act.

In this holiday season, let's urge all to drive defensively and safe our pockets for spending on X'mas gifts for our loved ones instead of letting the cash flow out as 'learning fee' for the road. Not worth it really!