Good drivers see trouble coming and always leave themselves an out. These habits — looking far ahead, keeping your eyes moving, and holding a cushion of space — are what turn near-misses into non-events.
Look well ahead
Scan the road at least 12 seconds ahead to spot hazards early — that's about 166 m at 50 km/h and 333 m at 100 km/h, so at open-road speed, look as far as you can see. Keep your eyes moving, too: use your mirrors to check the sides and behind often. It catches dangers forming around you and keeps you alert on long drives.
Keep a safety cushion
Hold a safe distance in every direction — ahead with the two- or four-second rule, behind by letting close followers pass (slow down and move over), and to the sides by keeping clear of driveways, parked cars, cyclists and children.
Stay focused
Ignore distractions — music, passengers, scenery, advertising — and concentrate; never take your eyes off the road longer than you must (at 90 km/h, two seconds is 50 m). If you have to look away, check well ahead and behind first, don't look away when you can see a possible hazard, and don't let the car drift off course.
Always have an escape route
Keep identifying possible escape routes as you drive — most are to your left, so note wide shoulders and places you could safely steer off. When there's no safe escape, reduce your speed and increase your following distance so you can stop in plenty of time.