What is defensive driving?

When you're behind the wheel, staying safe isn’t just about following the rules. It’s about expecting the unexpected. That’s the heart of defensive driving. According to the Canada Safety Council, defensive driving means "driving to prevent collisions, in spite of the incorrect actions of others and adverse conditions."

A defensive driver doesn’t just react to traffic; they anticipate problems before they happen. They stay fully focused on the road and adjust to the behaviour of other drivers. They also know how to adapt to changing conditions, whether it's bad weather, heavy traffic, or an unpredictable pedestrian.

Let's break down why defensive driving is important, how practicing it can make you a safer, more confident driver, and how it affects your insurance premiums.

Why defensive driving matters in Canada

Defensive driving isn't just a good habit. It's an important skill for handling Canada's diverse and often challenging road conditions. Between icy winter roads, wildlife suddenly darting across highways, the long stretches of rural roads, and a significant increase in population and, thus, drivers, defensive driving is a must if you want to stay safe. Here's what you need to know:

Canadian winters

Our winters are no joke. Snow, ice, and freezing rain can turn even the most familiar routes into a challenge. That’s why Transport Canada recommends switching to winter tires during cold, snowy, or icy conditions, as they provide better traction than all-season tires. Other essential responsible driving practices in winter include:

• Slowing down to match road and weather conditions

• Keeping a safe distance

• Being ready for unexpected stops

Canadian wildlife

And it’s not just the weather you have to watch out for. Wildlife collisions are also a risk, especially at dawn and dusk. Big animals like deer and moose don’t give much warning, so staying alert near wildlife crossing signs could save your life.

In fact, between 2000 and 2020, wildlife-vehicle collisions claimed 570 lives in Canada, according to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF). More than half of those crashes involved moose, while deer were involved in about 32% of them.

Rural driving

If you’ve ever driven on a rural highway, you know they come with their own risks. In fact, more than half of Canada’s fatal crashes happen on rural roads, according to Transport Canada. This is due to things like:

• Higher speeds

• Limited lighting

• Slower emergency response times

More drivers

If you haven't noticed, Canada's population has been growing quickly. According to Statistics Canada, in 2022 alone, the country added over 1 million people—a record-setting 2.7% increase. And in 2023, our total population reached 40 million.

This means more vehicles on the road, leading to increased congestion and a higher likelihood of traffic accidents. In fact, Transport Canada reported that in 2022, motor vehicle fatalities were up 6% from 2021. As traffic volumes rise, so does the importance of defensive driving.

Examples of how defensive driving saves lives

Defensive driving isn’t just about being cautious. It’s about being ready for anything. Below, we've created some scenarios to help you understand where and how defensive driving can help:

Sudden stops in traffic

• You're cruising along when traffic ahead comes to a dead stop.

A defensive driver keeps a safe following distance and scans the road ahead constantly, giving them enough time to brake safely instead of rear-ending the car in front.

Icy roads in winter

• The temperature is below 0 °C and it snowed overnight.

Black ice is almost invisible, and even the best drivers can lose control if they hit a patch unexpectedly. Defensive drivers slow down in snowy or icy weather and maintain a safe following distance to avoid sudden braking.

Aggressive drivers

• Someone is tailgating you

Rather than speeding up or slamming the brakes to "teach them a lesson," a defensive driver calmly changes lanes or pulls over when safe to let the aggressive driver pass, avoiding a dangerous situation.

A distracted pedestrian

• A pedestrian steps into a crosswalk while texting and not looking

A defensive driver watches for pedestrian zones, school zones, prepares to brake in busy areas, and anticipates that not everyone follows the rules.

Defensive driving checklist to help sharpen your skills

Want to sharpen your defensive driving skills? Here’s a quick checklist to keep you safe on the road:

• Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel at all times

• Keep distractions (like your phone) out of reach

• Always leave enough space between you and the car ahead

• Look beyond the car in front of you to spot potential hazards early

• Slow down at yellow lights—do not speed up to try to beat the red

• Slow down in bad weather, on gravel roads, or when visibility is poor

• Always assume other drivers might make mistakes and be ready to react calmly

• Don’t engage with aggressive drivers

• Pull over if you’re tired

Also, this might seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating: part of being a good defensive driver is following the rules of the road. Take a little time to brush up on the traffic laws in your province and city, as they’re there to keep everyone safe. Knowing and following the rules not only helps you avoid tickets but also makes you a more predictable, safer driver for the other road users around you.

How defensive driving affects your insurance premiums

Good driving habits don’t just keep you safe; they can also save you money. Here's how:

Fewer claims mean lower premiums

When you practice defensive driving, you're less likely to get into accidents, which means fewer claims on your record. Fewer claims often translate into lower insurance premiums over time, because insurers reward safe drivers who are seen as low risk.

Defensive driving helps avoid traffic tickets

But it’s not just about avoiding accidents. Defensive driving also helps you avoid traffic tickets. Speeding, running a red light, distracted driving—any of these infractions can lead to tickets that stay on your driving record for years. Insurance companies see tickets as red flags, which can cause your premiums to increase. The more tickets you rack up, the more you’ll pay.

Taking a defensive driving course could earn you a discount

Another great way to potentially save is by taking a recognized defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer discounts if you complete an accredited program. It’s a smart move that not only sharpens your defensive driving techniques but could also put some extra money back in your pocket.

This is especially important for new and young drivers. Drivers aged 16 to 24 typically face higher premiums simply because they have less driving experience. Building a clean driving record early and taking a defensive driving course can go a long way toward lowering those costs faster.

In short, practicing safe driving habits with defensive driving skills doesn’t just help you save in the short term; it builds habits that protect you (and your wallet) for life.

Common myths about defensive driving

When people hear “defensive driving,” they sometimes picture slow, overly cautious drivers inching along the road. But that’s one of the biggest myths out there. Let’s clear up a few more:

1. Defensive driving means driving slowly

Not true. Defensive driving is about awareness and making smart decisions. It does not mean crawling along and holding up traffic. It’s about adjusting to conditions, not just going slow for the sake of it.

2. If you follow the rules, you don’t need to worry

Following the rules is important, of course, but defensive driving goes a step further. It means being prepared for other drivers not following the rules. It’s about anticipating the mistakes of other drivers before they happen.

3. Experienced drivers don’t need to drive defensively

Even if you’ve been driving for decades, distractions and overconfidence can sneak in. Defensive driving is a skill worth keeping up, no matter how long you’ve had your license.

4. Defensive driving only matters in bad weather or busy traffic

Sure, those are high-risk situations, but even on a sunny, quiet road, things can go wrong fast. A pedestrian can step out in front of you from behind a parked car, or a deer could walk out into the road. Defensive drivers stay alert no matter the conditions.

What bad driving behaviours lead to car accidents in Canada?

If you want to be a great defensive driver, it helps to first understand what not to do. Certain driving habits are responsible for a huge number of collisions every year, and by avoiding them, you’re already taking a big step toward staying safe. Here are the top three:

Distracted driving

Distracted driving is one of the biggest culprits, especially texting behind the wheel. According to Transport Canada, distracted driving contributed to 22.5% of fatal collisions and 25.5% of serious injury collisions in 2021.

When your eyes (or mind) aren’t fully on the road, your reaction time drops fast. And when your reaction time drops, your chances of getting into an accident go way up. Even a quick glance at your phone can make all the difference between stopping in time or not. According to CAA National, using a mobile device while driving increases the likelihood of a collision by 3.6 times.

Aggressive driving

Tailgating, speeding, weaving through traffic, and road rage—aggressive driving is another major cause of accidents in Canada. It doesn't just put you at risk; it endangers everyone around you. In fact, according to Transport Canada, in 2022, excessive speed contributed to 21.9% of fatal collisions in Canada. Defensive driving means keeping your cool, giving others space, and focusing on getting to your destination safely, not quickly.

Impaired driving

Getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous. Impaired driving slows your reactions, clouds your judgment, and leads to risky decisions. According to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, alcohol-impaired driving accounted for approximately 1 in 4 road deaths in Canada in 2020. Plus, if you’re caught driving over the legal limit, you could face serious criminal charges in Canada.

Reach out to BrokerLink today

Driving defensively is the best way to keep yourself and others safe on the road. Even better, when you drive safely, you minimize the odds of an accident, which in turn can result in cheaper car insurance rates. Thus, driving defensively can not only save lives, but it can also save you money.

Speaking of saving money on car insurance, BrokerLink can help you do just that. We are a full-service insurance brokerage with a long-standing reputation in Canada. To find out how much car insurance will cost you, reach out to BrokerLink for a free quote.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

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