I totally agree with you on the small adjustments making the biggest difference over time. Took one of those defensive driving courses myself a couple years back, and while the insurance discount was definitely nice, it was the little habits I picked up afterward that really stuck.
One thing I'd add to your mirror adjustment point—it's not just about setting them once and forgetting them. I've noticed that regularly checking and tweaking my side mirrors every few weeks helps keep blind spots minimized. Mirrors can shift slightly from vibrations or bumps in the road, especially if you're driving an older car like mine (trusty old Civic here). A quick check every now and then ensures they're still giving you the best view possible.
Also, another habit that's helped me is consciously leaving more space between me and the car in front of me. I used to think I was already pretty good about this, but after the course instructor explained reaction times and braking distances step-by-step, it really opened my eyes. Now I mentally count out a three-second gap whenever I'm behind someone—just pick a landmark like a sign or a tree, wait for the car ahead to pass it, then count "one thousand one, one thousand two..." until I pass it too. It sounds tedious at first, but after doing it consistently for a week or two, it becomes automatic. Honestly, it's saved me from a couple close calls already.
And yeah, signaling even when no one's around might feel silly at first—but it's all about building muscle memory. Eventually, you don't even think about it anymore...and that's exactly when it matters most.
Good points on the mirrors—I hadn't really thought about them shifting over time, but it makes sense. I drive an older Corolla myself, and now that you mention it, I do find myself tweaking them occasionally without even realizing why. And yeah, the three-second rule feels awkward at first, but once it's second nature, you wonder how you ever drove without it...definitely worth the initial effort.
"And yeah, the three-second rule feels awkward at first, but once it's second nature, you wonder how you ever drove without it..."
True, but honestly, I still struggle with that three-second rule sometimes. I've always been a bit of an aggressive driver—probably why my insurance premiums were sky-high. Took the defensive driving course purely to save money (budget's tight!), and surprisingly, it did help me tone down my habits a bit. Still catch myself tailgating occasionally though...old habits die hard. But hey, cheaper insurance is definitely motivation enough to keep trying.
I get the appeal of the three-second rule, but honestly, it doesn't always feel practical to me—especially in heavy traffic or city driving. On open highways, sure, it's easy enough to keep that gap, but in stop-and-go situations? Good luck. I've tried it on road trips and found myself constantly getting cut off by other drivers squeezing into the space I leave. Maybe it's just my luck or something about my local roads, but it feels like following that rule strictly can sometimes make driving more stressful rather than less.
"Still catch myself tailgating occasionally though...old habits die hard."
Yeah, same here. I think most of us have those ingrained habits we struggle to shake. Defensive driving courses are great for insurance discounts and reminders, but real-world conditions don't always match textbook scenarios. Still, cheaper insurance is definitely a nice bonus...
Yeah, defensive driving courses can feel a bit idealistic sometimes. Honestly though, isn't it better to get cut off occasionally than risk rear-ending someone? I'd rather deal with annoying drivers than insurance claims...but maybe that's just me.
