[Christ]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...where the heck do you drive? On your own private roadways or something?

...sorry, but the public roads accommodate both the Good, the Bad and the Ugly and defensive driving is merely one tool in a drivers toolbox which other drivers haven't learned or used.

..."be aware" is an excellent guideline, but will NOT stop someone from blindsiding you when they've lost control of their vehicle.

P.S.--I actually prefer staying off of congested highways for all the above reasons, but (unfortunately) idiots are "...everywhere..." not just on the highways.

It's not where, but when.

I try to time my trips for times when I know I will encounter the least amount of traffic, because for one, I don't like to be around other drivers most of the time, and for number two, I'm not interrupting other people's driving with my own driving style. I drive slow, I know that. I prefer to not have everyone and their brother honking like a jackass because I didn't pull away from a green light before it turned green.

You're right, defensive driving won't save you from someone else's stupidity all the time... but you said a good defensive driver. To me, at least, there is a difference.