Defensive driving and preparation are more than skills; they’re a strategic art. Here are 10 laws you can learn to master to better protect yourself and your passengers:

Law 1: Command Visibility

Control your presence and make your car impossible to ignore. Always use headlights, keep your windscreen spotless, mirrors clear and well-positioned, and brake lights working.

Example: Lerato travels to work at 6 am and ensures her lights and hazards are on in the thick fog, ensuring trucks and taxis can’t pretend she wasn’t there.

Law 2: Outsmart Your Ego 

Always second-guess your “gut” when driving. It’s tempting to think you’re the best driver, but that’s your ego talking. With loadshedding, potholes, and frenzied traffic, many citizens think we’re unshakeable. Check yourself and stay humble.

Example: Mark thought he could quickly sneak in a text at the robot with a “quick glance” at his phone but found himself causing an accident.

Law 3: Master the Art of the Exit

Defensive driving includes leaving enough space in front, behind, and to the sides to pivot away from any danger. Always keep in mind where the pavement, shoulder, or next safe pull-off area is. Continuously scanning for exits is useful, so when things go wrong.

Example: Macy kept her wits about her on the R21, swerving safely when a bakkie spun out ahead.

Law 4: Guard Your Mind

Remember, your attention is your last line of defence. Phones and passengers can sabotage your focus on the road, and that can mean disaster.

Example: Charmaine glanced at her boyfriend’s WhatsApp, but she missed the car that slammed brakes ahead.

Law 5: Anticipate Chaos

Plan before it happens! Defensive driving is the art of expecting the unpredictable and being two steps ahead. If you are only reacting, you are too late.

Example: Sharlene always slows down for a pedestrian crossing. One day, a schoolkid sprinted onto the road. She was ready, and nobody got hurt.

Law 6: Don’t Let Anger Drive

Road rage should never be looked at as power—it should be seen as a vulnerability. When tension runs high in traffic, a hot head can escalate a minor mishap into a more serious accident.

Example: Sipho’s fuse blew when the BMW swerved in front of him. His revenge? Chasing the car down Main Road until he rear-ended a third vehicle.

Law 7: Know Your Weaknesses

Own your limits, whether it’s fatigue, illness, or stress. If you are completely tired or anxious, your focus could be off, and your reactions will be slower. Rather, pull over for a rest or ask someone else to drive.

Example: Mandisa had to pull over at the Engen stop for a coffee and a stretch before driving another hour to the venue.

Law 8: Keep Your Allies Close

Every passenger in your car is a co-pilot, and it’s up to you as a driver to set the tone and the rules. Make seatbelts a non-negotiable, discourage rowdiness so that you can focus on the trip, and empower your passengers to speak up if you slip up.

Example: Once, Tumi’s friend spotted a car speeding through a red light and shouted a warning. Tumi hit the brakes – disaster averted!

Law 9: Know Your Biases

Cognitive biases, like overconfidence (“It won’t happen to me”), optimism bias (“It’s never happened before and won’t now”), and everyday routines, can trick you into risky behaviour. Question these and recognise when your mind slips into autopilot.

Example: Tanya assumed her quick reactions would keep her safe. On a rainy evening, her car skidded at a stop street – nothing serious, but enough to jolt her out of her overconfidence.

The accidentANGELS Law: Planning for a car accident

Master these laws and you’re protecting yourself from possible chaos and controlling it, too. For only R149pm, guarantee yourself private hospitalisation when it matters most.

Example: When Lisa’s accident landed her in the hospital, her accidentANGELS membership meant no fighting with public queues – just world-class private care so she could have a better and quicker recovery.