Defensive driving is safe driving Published Aug. 18, 2008 21st Space Wing Safety Office PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- As you wait patiently at a red traffic light, it turns green and you prepare to proceed through the intersection. Luckily, you're a defensive driver and stop before being struck by that car that just ran a red light. How many times has this happened to you? Every time we get into a vehicle, we're at risk. Even though you may be a safe driver, the other person you're sharing the road with may not be. This is why you must be a defensive driver in order to be a truly safe driver. Defensive driving is mainly asking yourself "what if?" whenever you drive. "What if someone runs the red light?" "What if the car in the lane beside me suddenly pulls into mine?" You must be ready to react to the unexpected. Scanning the road ahead of you for hazards and checking your mirrors every three to five seconds will heighten your awareness of what is happening around you. Try to always have an escape route in the event you must avoid a hazard; if that car in the lane beside you does suddenly swerve into yours, do you have anywhere to go? If possible, give yourself space to maneuver in the event someone tries to occupy your driving space without notice. Do I have enough stopping distance if the car in front of me suddenly slams on their brakes? This is where the two-second rule comes into play. Watch the vehicle in front of you pass a fixed point and begin counting "one thousand one, one thousand two" If your car reaches the point you chose before you finish counting, you are following too closely. In poor road or visibility situations you need to add at least one second to the equation. If your daily commutes to and from work are the most stressful times in your week, you're probably in the majority. Traffic congestion can lead to frustration and poor driving habits if you allow it. Consider altering your schedule in order to have more time to get where you are going, or change your route to avoid the worst congestion. Maybe you can improve the comfort of your vehicle by adjusting your seat to a different position or adding a pillow. Also, try to give other drivers a little leeway. We all make unintentional mistakes when driving, so don't let your emotions dictate how you drive. Remember to drive safely, watch out for the other person and keep your emotions in check. It's no guarantee you won't be involved in a traffic accident, but it will significantly improve your chances of avoiding one.