To ensure road safety, drivers must be fully aware of and abide by the rules and regulations as set out in the Highway Traffic Act (Canada) and the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations (U.S.).

The ultimate responsibility of safe driving under any conditions or circumstances falls on the driver; no policy or procedural statements can eliminate that responsibility.

Each driver must be prepared to employ defensive driving techniques every time they drive to ensure safety when other motorists do something unexpected, weather or road conditions suddenly deteriorate, mechanical malfunctions occur or if anything else happens that may require evasive actions for the safe operation of the vehicle.

Sometimes it may be best to just stay off the roads altogether if there is a likelihood of dangerous conditions.

A good, safe, defensive driver is one who:

• Knows and obeys the rules of the road.
• Exercises care to avoid making any driving errors of their own.
• Anticipates the mistakes of other drivers who may lack skill, use poor judgment or make unsafe maneuvers, which could jeopardize road safety.
• Has learned to drive proficiently in different situations like highway or city driving, day and night driving, or driving under various weather conditions.
• Uses extra care to avoid being involved in an accident or a close call due to weather, road conditions, traffic, or the actions of pedestrians and other drivers.
• Keeps windows and mirrors clean with mirrors properly adjusted to provide the best possible view around the vehicle.
• Is continually alert and watching for accident-producing situations in advance where defensive action may be required and is always prepared to react to the unexpected.

A safe driver:

• Knows how to safely take quick evasive actions in emergency situations and can control the vehicle in the event of skidding, tire blowout, mechanical failure, jackknife or other emergency situations.
• Does not make erratic or unpredictable maneuvers such as sudden lane changes which pose a serious safety risk.
• Gives up the right of way in order to prevent the risk of an accident.
• Is well acquainted with the controls, features and safe operation of the vehicle they are driving and exercise proper use of lighting systems, windshield wipers, turn signals etc..
• Is observant of other vehicles traveling into blind spots and accounts for them in their driving behavior.
• Avoids blind spots of other vehicles.
• Avoids drifting into “tunnel vision” or “highway hypnosis” by continually looking ahead of and around the vehicle and checking mirrors for other traffic.

Americas roads would be so much safer if every driver:

• Drives at appropriate speeds for the weather, traffic and road conditions.
• Is observant while approaching and passing crosswalks or when driving in the vicinity of playgrounds, schoolyards, and parking lots.
• Is cautious of bicyclists or children playing anywhere near the roadway.
• Remains centered properly in traffic lanes using appropriate signals and timing while changing lanes.
• Accounts for wind conditions by reducing speed and being prepared for sudden gusts which could push vehicle into another lane or off the road.
• Is observant of construction or speed reduction signs.

Thousands of lives would be saved each year if everyone:

• Uses common sense when a vehicle is tailgating or driving dangerously or aggressively, by changing lanes or pulling to the side of the road if necessary if and when it is safe to do so using appropriate signals and timing.
• Recognizes that road features such as intersections, curves, hillcrests, bridges, railroad crossings and tunnels generate increased hazards and exercises the care necessary in negotiating these features to avoid creating an accident risk environment.
• Is fully aware of the track of the vehicle and exercises proper control while negotiating curves and turns to avoid running over curb, damaging signs, light standards or cutting off or damaging other vehicles.
• Allows ample space between vehicles of at least a three second interval (more if any adverse conditions exist) to provide safe reaction time.