{"organism":"Page","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","children":[{"organism":"Metadata","model":{"title":"Defensive driving: Essential skills for road safety","text":"\u003Cp\u003EGood driving isn't enough. Defensive driving anticipates danger for greater road safety. Discover the mindset and techniques.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","links":[{"name":"Mastering the art of defensive driving: a comprehensive guide","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving.html"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/_jcr_content/root/metadata.shellimg.png/1710384072311/defensive-driving.png","alt":"hands on the car wheel","width":3798,"height":2145},"date":"2024-03-13T07:08:00.000Z","tags":[{"name":"Vehicles","value":"vehicles:"},{"name":"Drive Well","value":"shell:business/business-customers/drive-well"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/metadata"},{"organism":"ContentOwner","model":{},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/contentowner"},{"organism":"Container.Header","children":[{"organism":"Container.Raw","ref":"https://www.shell.com.au/_jcr_content/root/header/inherited.model.json","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/header/inherited","model":{}},{"organism":"Breadcrumb","model":{"links":[{"name":"Home","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/"},{"name":"Shell fuels","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels.html"},{"name":"Go Well Content Hub","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub.html"},{"name":"Mastering the art of defensive driving: a comprehensive guide","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving.html"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/header/breadcrumb"}],"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/header","model":{}},{"organism":"Container.Main","children":[{"organism":"Container.Section","children":[{"organism":"PageHeader","color":"brand1","model":{"title":"Mastering the art of defensive driving: a comprehensive guide","text":"\u003Cp\u003EWe delve into some advanced defensive-driving techniques that will enhance your safety on the road.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/_jcr_content/root/main/section/item.shellimg.png/1710384064259/defensive-driving-new.png","alt":"hands on the car wheel","width":3840,"height":960},"date":"2024-03-13T07:08:00.000Z"},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/main/section/item"},{"organism":"Container","children":[{"organism":"Author.Info","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/author_copy","model":{"links":[{"name":"By Shell on March. 13, 2024"}],"image":{"src":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/_jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/author_copy.shellimg.png/1710304370956/shell-pecten.png","alt":"Shell Pecten","width":2500,"height":1405}}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/text","model":{"text":"\u003Cp\u003EBeing a conscientious driver, you prioritise safety above all else. However, there's another crucial element to consider: defensive driving.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n"}},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/text_1077948173_copy","model":{"text":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat is defensive driving?\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDefensive driving is essentially a collection of various principles, tactics and techniques intended to help you reduce the risks associated with driving. It's an acknowledgement that the roads are a dangerous, unpredictable place and a commitment to expect and be prepared to deal with the worst-case scenario.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhat defensive-driving techniques should I use?\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDefensive driving all flows from driver mindset and attitude, which is vital because this has a huge bearing on how you act behind the wheel. A defensive-driving mindset means recognising you're about to engage in a potentially dangerous task and getting your head right first.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIt means putting away the mobile phone and other distractions, not eating or putting on make-up while you drive and choosing not to drive if you're tired, affected by alcohol or highly emotional, all states when we are susceptible to making poor decisions.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOnce you've got your head right, you can try these tactics to keep you safer.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGet your driving position right\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EA defensive-driving mindset means knowing you might need to perform an emergency manoeuvre at any time and if you're not seated correctly you could struggle to control your car. There are \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/roads-safety-and-rules/vehicle-safety-and-compliance/driving-posture\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esome basic tips\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/b\u003E to make sure your driving position is correct (defensive driving or not).\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EYou should be able to put your foot behind the brake pedal and touch the firewall without stretching your leg too much (this will ensure you can brake effectively) and touch the top steering wheel with the bottom of your wrists without stretching your arm too much (this will ensure you have full steering control).\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EYou also want to set your seat height so your eyeline is level (this will ensure you can look up the road) and you should keep your hands in the nine and three o’clock position (this will ensure you have maximum wheel-twirling capacity).\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESlow down\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\r\n\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EObviously speeding is a big no-no but you can still drive at a legal speed and be going too fast for a particular scenario. There are many cases when dropping below the posted limit is likely to keep you out of trouble, from wet weather or fog to passing a traffic jam in the next lane. If in doubt, slow down – it's the simplest way to buy more braking distance (i.e. time) if something unexpected happens.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EStay back\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\r\n\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFurther to the above point, keeping your distance to the traffic in front will also buy you additional braking distance should you need it. Follow the three-second rule (i.e. travel three seconds behind the vehicle in front) but you want to leave more distance in wet weather, fog or other potentially hazardous situations.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EScan and anticipate\u003C/b\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\r\n\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAnother key aspect of defensive driving is being eternally vigilant to possible dangers. You want to look beyond the car ahead of you and scan up the road while engaging your full anticipatory skills. Some dangers on the road creep up from behind, so perform regular mirror checks around every three seconds to ensure you're fully aware of what's going on around you in all directions.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENever drive in another vehicle's blind spot\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBeing seen is an integral part of driver safety and this tactic ensures other drivers won't lose sight of you and potentially stray into your path. From your perspective, having your car's nose approximately level with their rear quarter panels is the no-go zone.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPolish your emergency-driving skills\u003C/b\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAttitude and anticipation can go a long way to lowering your exposure to risk but there's no substitute for knowing how your car reacts in an emergency manoeuvre and having the techniques to control it. If you want to truly be the safest driver you can be, invest in a defensive-driving course with one of Australia's many driver training organisations.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n"}},{"organism":"PageTags","model":{"tags":[{"name":"Vehicles","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/tag-search.html?tag=vehicles%3A"},{"name":"Drive Well","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/tag-search.html?tag=shell%3Abusiness%2Fbusiness-customers%2Fdrive-well"}]},"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/page_tags"},{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop/text_copy_copy_copy_","model":{"text":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Csup\u003EDisclaimer\u003Cbr\u003E\r\n\u003C/sup\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Csup\u003EViva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.\u003C/sup\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003C/i\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\r\n"}}],"colspan":8,"id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop","model":{}},{"organism":"Container","children":[{"organism":"PromoSimple.Text","color":"inherited","id":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving/jcr_content/root/main/section/simple_copy_copy_cop_672712310/text","model":{"title":"You may also be interested 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driving: a comprehensive guide","text":"Good driving isn't enough. 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Discover the mindset and techniques.","date":"2024-03-13T07:08:00.000Z","links":[{"name":"canonical","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving.html"},{"name":"errorUrl","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/error.html"},{"name":"hierarchy","value":"en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving"},{"name":"homeTitle","value":"Shell Australia"},{"name":"homeUrl","value":"https://www.shell.com.au/"},{"name":"locale","value":"en-AU"},{"name":"title","value":"Mastering the art of defensive driving: a comprehensive guide | Shell Australia"},{"name":"textDirection","value":"ltr"},{"name":"template","value":"base"},{"name":"contentPath","value":"/content/shell/countries/australia/en_au/shell-fuels/go-well-content-hub/mastering-the-art-of-defensive-driving"},{"name":"externalDisclaimerText","value":"Shell plc Legal Disclaimer\r\nYou are now leaving the Shell website.\r\nThe link you have selected will direct you to a website that is not controlled by Shell plc or any member of the Shell Group. 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