Safe and Defensive Driving
A system, not a mood
Defensive driving is a repeatable routine. On the approach to any hazard use mirrors – signal – position – speed – look (MSPSL): check mirrors, signal if needed, take the correct position, adjust speed, then look and decide. Every decision is preceded by observation and followed by a check that nothing has changed.
Space and time
The two-second rule is the backbone of following distance. Pick a fixed object ahead; when the vehicle in front passes it, count "one-thousand-and-one, one-thousand-and-two". If you reach the object before you finish, you are too close. Double the gap in rain, at night, or when following a heavy vehicle that blocks your view. Leave extra room when stopped behind another vehicle so you can steer around it if it stalls.
Communication and anticipation
Signal early and cancel afterwards, make eye contact where possible, and never assume another driver has seen you. Anticipate the mistakes of others: a car drifting in its lane, a taxi slowing without indicating, a pedestrian approaching a crossing. Keep an escape route - a gap to move into if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly.
Traps
The two-second rule measures time, not metres: at 60 km/h you cover about 17 m each second, so a two-second gap is roughly 34 m - a figure questions like to test. Also beware answers that involve reacting aggressively: sounding the horn, braking hard to "teach a lesson", or flashing headlights to claim priority.
Rule of thumb: if you have to brake sharply, you were already too close or going too fast for the conditions.