What is "Defensive Driving"? Do Teens Need It?

Defensive driving is a skill every teen driver should have, but what exactly is defensive driving?

In essence, defensive driving is the ability to "defend" yourself as the driver of a vehicle against possible threats to your safety and risks of accidents. Good drivers are those who drive on the defense, not the offense, and every teen on the road should know a specific set of skills to help themselves stay safe and also protect others on the road.

If any of the following describes your kids, they may need to take a defensive driving class in your area before you hand over the keys:

• They've had trouble following house rules or other parameters you set for them
• They make rash decisions that show little insight or forethought
• They've had trouble with motor skills and reaction time while playing sports
• They're highly nervous behind the wheel during learner's lessons
• They have issues with authority, notably teachers or police

So, what will your kids learn if you sign them up for defensive driving?

Lots of stuff! They'll be taugh the basics of traffic laws and regulations in your state, of course, as well as plenty of rules-of-thumb for general motor vehicle operation. But more importantly, they'll learn how to spot problems before they happen so they can take preventative measures and keep themselves out of an accident.

Teenagers should be able to tell how to spot an intoxicated driver on the road before an accident happens, and defensive driving will help. They'll also learn strategies for dealing with friends who drive unsafely or even irrationally, and also the best way to de-escalate road rage situations. Teens should know exactly when to involve the police in a highway situation and also what to do immediately following an accident if one should occur.

Your teen doesn't have to be a bad driver or even a high-risk kid to need defensive driving classes. In fact, studies show that teens who do take driving lessons are statistically less likely to be involved in an accident than those who don't. And with over 30% of all teen drivers involved in a crash within their first year of driving, stats like that are significant.

Not only will your teen be safer on the road, you may actually lower your car insurance rates significantly, too. If saving money and the safety of your teen aren't good enough reasons to sign up for defensive driving classes, nothing is!