Defensive driving lessons in a real car

Defensive driving, taught in a real car

Most crashes are not caused by a lack of car control; they happen because a driver did not see a hazard coming. Our in-car defensive driving lessons train the habits that keep you out of trouble: scanning far ahead, keeping space around your car, anticipating other drivers’ mistakes and staying calm when something goes wrong.

Skills we practice

• Space cushion: a following distance of three seconds or more in good conditions, at least four in rain and six or more on snow
• Scanning and mirrors: looking well ahead, checking mirrors often and blind spots before every move
• Highway driving: using the acceleration lane, merging at speed, keeping right except to pass, exits and lane drops
• Intersections: stale green lights, left turns across traffic, red-light runners and right-on-red after a full stop
• Vulnerable road users: stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks, passing cyclists with space, school buses
• Move over: changing lanes or slowing for stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks and cars with hazard lights
• Distractions and fatigue: phone use, passengers, highway hypnosis
• Night and wet roads: headlights on whenever the wipers are on, glare, and hydroplaning, which can begin at about 35 mph

Who takes defensive driving lessons

Newly licensed drivers who want more highway experience, parents who want their teen better prepared than the road test requires, drivers who have had a near miss, and anyone about to start a long daily commute on routes like the Parkway, I-78 or Route 22.

This school is licensed by the State of New Jersey. License #000184. Fully insured.