Chapter 7: Safe Driving Practice

Passing the driver’s license exam is just the beginning; becoming a truly safe driver is a lifelong commitment to awareness and skill. Safe driving practices are defensive strategies that allow you to anticipate hazards, manage the space around your vehicle, and react correctly to unexpected situations. Mastering these techniques is crucial for protecting yourself, your passengers, and others on the road, and forms the core of what it means to be a responsible driver.

Safe driving in Tennessee involves a combination of defensive driving principles, adapting to various road and weather conditions, and maintaining a responsible attitude behind the wheel. State laws, particularly those concerning distracted driving, reinforce these practices with serious penalties for unsafe behavior.

Principles of Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is about proactively identifying and mitigating risks. It means assuming other drivers may make mistakes and being prepared to react. The core components are scanning, managing space, and being aware of blind spots.

Scanning

Effective scanning means constantly keeping your eyes moving to get the “big picture” of the road. Avoid a fixed stare on the vehicle directly in front of you.

• Look Ahead: Aim your eyes 10 to 15 seconds down the road (about one city block). This allows you to see developing hazards, like brake lights, swerving vehicles, or pedestrians, with enough time to react smoothly.
• Check Mirrors: Glance at your rearview and side mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds to be aware of the traffic situation behind and beside you. This helps you spot tailgaters or vehicles moving into your blind spots.
• Scan Intersections: Before entering an intersection, look left, then right, then left again. Continue scanning for cross-traffic and pedestrians as you proceed through.