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Defensive Driving Courses - How to Choose the Course that is Right For You

There are many defensive driving course providers or defensive driving schools in operation. Many of these providers offer a number of different courses that specialise in improving specific skill sets. The diverse range of courses can be generally categorised into five main areas. These are:

Learner drivers
City driving
Country and gravel road driving
Night and wet weather driving
Four wheel driving or 4WD

Defensive Driving - Learner Drivers

When a learner driver first gets behind the steering wheel, the onus on the development of skills usually rests with a parent or family friend. This is an acceptable method as it is important for the driver to feel comfortable with their teacher when first learning to drive. However, not all parents or family friends are expert drivers and many lack the knowledge of specific advanced driving techniques.

Enrolling in a defensive driving course that is tailored for learner drivers is very beneficial. The learner receives expert training from a professional driving instructor. Skill development in areas such as steering techniques, spatial awareness, parking, ability to read traffic flow and experience in different weather conditions all form part of a learner defensive drive course.

When looking to improve your driving skills, a learner defensive driving course is aimed at new drivers. Experienced drivers would benefit from an update on skills but other courses have been designed to cater for their driving ability.

So the best defensive driving course for a new driver is definitely one tailored for learner drivers. As the learner driver progresses through one of these courses, enrolment in other specific courses will be beneficial.

Defensive Driving - City Driving

The skills required to drive in a city are different to those needed when driving on rural or regional roads.

Typically there is more traffic in the city and the streets are narrower. Parking can be difficult and for a driver not experienced with city driving, it can be very stressful and dangerous.

A city defensive driving course will benefit less experienced drivers and those only familiar with country roads.

You will learn skills in parking, lane navigation, use of road signs, use of gears rather than brakes in high traffic volume, skills for driving safely in car parks and techniques to deal with stress whilst driving.

City roads usually have added considerations such as bus or taxi lanes, clearway zones and highway exit and entry points. These are all covered in a city driving course.

For anyone not familiar with driving in the city this type of course can give you the skills and confidence needed to tackle busy streets and highways.

Defensive Driving – Country and Gravel Road Driving

When driving in the country a motorist negotiates a whole range of different conditions that are not found in the city. These can include long stretches of road, sweeping bends, gravel roads, wildlife dangers, railroad crossings and higher speed limits.

A defensive driving course specialising in skill development to handle some of the conditions is sure way to make your driving experience on those long trips less dangerous.

Due to the nature of country driving, fatigue is a major factor that needs to be contemplated. A defensive driving course will give you the skills to plan your journey effectively and minimise the opportunity for fatigue to cause havoc.

Inevitably when driving on country roads you will come across sections of the road that are not sealed and you will need to continue on gravel surfaces. Driving on gravel can be very dangerous for the inexperienced driver. A defensive driving course will give you the skills for emergency breaking on gravel and skills to control a vehicle on gravel.

Wildlife causes numerous accidents on country roads. Having experienced wildlife wandering onto the road in front of you in a defensive driving course will allow you react effectively if it happens to you in real life.

Country driving can be fun and a defensive driving course tailored to these conditions will give you the skills needed to get out there and enjoy your trip.

Defensive Driving - Night and Wet Weather Driving

Common sense tells us that driving at night or whilst it’s raining can be more dangerous. For most learner drivers it is a requirement to practice driving during these conditions. However, all drivers can do with a refresher to ensure they remain safe behind the wheel when it’s raining or when driving at night.

Defensive driving courses have been developed to help drivers gain the confidence to handle their vehicle effectively in these conditions. Obviously the courses are undertaken during darkness for night driving skills. You will learn about judging distances in the dark and correct use of headlights.

Practicing driving in the wet is usually completed on a purpose built training track that is wet or it can be conducted on the streets when it’s raining. Development of breaking techniques in the wet and how to control a vehicle that skids on wet surfaces are valuable skills to learn.

Defensive Driving - Four Wheel Driving (4WD)

The popularity of four wheel drives (4WDs) can no longer be underestimated. Many people are buying bigger vehicles for the primary reason of moving people.

However, these vehicles are designed to go off-road and eventually owners will want to take their pride and joy to more difficult terrain.

A defensive driving course specifically tailored for 4WDs is a perfect way to learn what your vehicle is capable of and it will give you the skills needed to tackle some of the toughest terrain.

In a 4WD course you will learn all about the use of the low and high range gears and how they will be of benefit when driving off-road. You will also learn techniques to get you out of sticky situations and how to use a winch.

These courses are a must for any driver that wants to take their new 4WD off-road.

Summary

So as you can see there are defensive driving courses for just about any driver and for just about any road condition. Choosing the course that is right for you will be of huge benefit as your driving career continues.

Good luck in choosing the right course and by doing some simple research on the internet or over the phone with a driving instructor, you will be well placed to pick up those extra skills that will keep you and your passengers safe.

specialising in skill development to handle some of the conditions is sure way to make your driving experience on those long trips less dangerous.