Interpreting Others

Pay attention to other vehicles’ signals and body language – they often tell you more than just lights.

• 🚗 A car drifting within its lane or braking erratically might be:

  • Distracted
  • Drowsy
  • Uncertain → Give them extra space.

• 🔁 If someone has a turn signal on for a long time and isn’t turning:

  • They may have forgotten it’s on.
  • Don’t assume they’ll turn – they might go straight or turn late.

• 🚦 If a car’s brake lights stay on, they’re slowing or stopping.

  • If they flash repeatedly, it might indicate:
    • Sudden braking ahead
    • A potential hazard or emergency

• 🚶‍♀️ Watch pedestrians’ body language:

  • Someone looking across traffic and edging forward may be about to jaywalk.
  • Anticipate their movement even if they haven’t stepped off the curb yet.

Reading these subtle cues helps you predict actions before they happen – a key skill in defensive driving.