Driver Education: defensive driving and insurance

Part of Driver Education (0.5 credit). This module covers universal U.S. basics. Check your state handbook for exact numbers.

Defensive driving

Following distance: keep at least a 3-second gap. Pick a fixed object; when the car ahead passes it, count. Add more time in rain, at night, or behind large trucks.
Scan: look 12–15 seconds ahead, check mirrors every few seconds, and check blind spots by turning your head before changing lanes.
Space cushion: leave room around your car so you always have an escape path.
Be seen and predictable: signal early, use headlights in poor visibility, and avoid other drivers’ blind spots.
Expect mistakes from others: cover the brake near intersections, school zones, and parked cars.
Never drive impaired or distracted: alcohol, drugs (including some legal medicines), fatigue, and phones all slow your reaction time.

Practice: at 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second. With a 1.5-second reaction time, it covers about 132 feet before braking even starts.

Almost every state requires drivers to carry auto insurance or to prove financial responsibility. Minimum amounts vary by state.
Liability pays for injuries and damage you cause to others. It is the part states require.
Collision pays to fix your car after a crash. Comprehensive pays for theft, hail, fire, or hitting an animal.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you when the at-fault driver has little or no insurance. Some states use "no-fault" personal injury protection (PIP).
Premium is what you pay for the policy. Deductible is what you pay first on a claim. A higher deductible usually means a lower premium.
Teen drivers usually cost more to insure. Clean records, good-student discounts, and completed driver-ed courses can lower rates, depending on the insurer.

Keep your license, current registration, and proof of insurance in the car.
After a crash: stop, check for injuries, call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked, move to safety if possible, and exchange names, insurance, and plate numbers. Take photos. Report the crash as your state requires.

Which coverage pays for damage you cause to someone else’s car? (Liability.)
Your deductible is $500 and repairs cost $2,000. How much does insurance pay? ($1,500.)
What is the minimum following-distance rule in this course? (3 seconds.)