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Driving defensively means driving in such a way that you reduce the risk of a crash, which will in turn prevent injury to yourself and others. 

Here are some easy techniques to improve your defensive driving skills:

• Never try to "take back" the right-of-way. If another driver is supposed to yield the right-of-way to you but fails to do so, as a defensive driver you will yield the right-of-way to that driver to avoid a collision.
• Never tailgate. Maintain an adequate following distance from the vehicle in front of you - at least three seconds under ideal conditions.
• Always drive at a speed that is appropriate for conditions. This speed may be lower than, but is never higher than, the posted speed limit, and takes traffic, road and weather conditions into account.
• Always watch the road ahead of your vehicle, checking your mirrors every three to five seconds. Don't allow your attention to be distracted from the task of driving.
• Always keep your vehicle in top mechanical condition. Tires with low air or worn tread reduce your traction and make skids more likely. Your brakes must be working properly for you to stop the vehicle. Don't wait for a breakdown to get your vehicle checked out.