Editing Defensive driving (section)

{{Short description|Practice of anticipating dangerous driving situations}}
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[[Image:Two-second-rule diagram.png|thumb|329px|The [[Two-second rule (road)|two-second rule]] tells a defensive driver the minimum distance to avoid collision in ideal driving conditions. The red car's driver picks a tree to judge a two-second safety buffer.]]

'''Defensive driving''' describes the practice of anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others when operating a [[motor vehicle]].<ref>American National Standard Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operation, American Society of Safety Engineers, Des Plaines, IL, 2006</ref>{{Efn|The US standard Safe Practices for Motor Vehicle Operations, ANSI/ASSE Z15.1, defines defensive driving skills as "driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others." This definition is taken from the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course.}} It can be achieved by adhering to general guidelines, such as keeping a two- or three-second gap between the driver's vehicle and the vehicle in front to ensure [[Assured Clear Distance Ahead|adequate space to stop]]. It is a form of training for drivers that goes beyond road rules and the basic mechanics of [[driving]] techniques. Defensive driving reduces the risk of collisions and improves road safety.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The importance of defensive driving|url=https://www.shell.com/business-customers/shell-fleet-solutions/health-security-safety-and-the-environment/the-importance-of-defensive-driving.html|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-19|website=www.shell.com|publisher=Shell Global|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928061247/https://www.shell.com/business-customers/shell-fleet-solutions/health-security-safety-and-the-environment/the-importance-of-defensive-driving.html |archive-date=2020-09-28 }}</ref>