Defensive driving means focusing on one thing: driving. Make sure that you’re not getting distracted by conversations, the radio, your phone, or anything else. To be as alert as possible, put your phone and other distractions away and turn your radio down. If you’re distracted when talking, don’t participate in conversations until you reach your destination 

Notice things like directional signs, speed limit markers, and signals as you drive. You should also make sure to periodically check your mirrors for a full view of the conditions around your vehicle. Getting into the habit of noticing these thing keeps you alert and ready for anything that comes your way when driving.

• It is very hard to stay alert when driving while sleepy or under the influence. Don’t put yourself and others in danger. Wait until you’re in a better condition, or ask someone else to drive.

 Instead of just focusing on what’s right in front of your car, make sure to regularly scan farther down the road. That way, you’ll be prepared for what’s to come. Look out for things like:

• Vehicles slowing down in the distance.

• Erratic drivers in either lane.

• Hazards in the road, like fallen limbs or sharp turns

Keep a distance of 3-4 seconds (or a couple car lengths) between you and the vehicle in front, whenever possible. This buffer gives you more time to react if the driver ahead brakes suddenly or makes some other dangerous move.[6]

• For instance, count "1 independence, 2 independence, 3 independence" when the car in front of you goes by an object. If you pass the same object before you're done counting, slow down a bit.

Yield to other drivers when required. If you aren’t sure when to do this, check with your local transportation authority for a refresher on the rules. Being patient and giving other drivers their turn -- even when you’re in a hurry -- helps prevent accidents.

• If you encounter a driver who is not observing the rules of right of way, just let them go. It’s better to wait than to wind up in an accident because another driver was impatient.

You can’t read the minds of other drivers, but you can make an educated guess about how they’re going to act when on the road. Adjust your driving in response to this. For instance, if you’re caught behind a brake-happy driver, leave extra distance between your vehicle and theirs so that you don’t end up rear-ending them.

It’s extremely frustrating when other drivers are erratic, don’t follow the rules, or are just plain dangerous. Resist the urge to try to get back at them, however. Getting angry just makes accidents more likely. Take a breath, be patient, and focus on getting to your destination safely.

• For instance, imagine you’re caught behind someone who keeps passing you then slowing down right in front of you. They may just feel like they need to be in front, which can be very frustrating.

• Instead of trying to constantly pass them, too, try moving into another lane, taking an alternate route, or just hanging tight until they’re out of the way

Pay attention to posted speed limits, and adjust your driving accordingly. Keeping up with the flow of traffic, whether on a city street or highway, helps avoid accidents. However, if other drivers are moving at dangerously high speeds, don’t attempt to match them. Try to get to a lane where you can stay at a safe speed, out of their way. 

While you’re staying alert to what others are doing, you’ll also need to help them anticipate your actions. Do everything you can to make yourself visible to other drivers, and to signal when you are turning, braking, etc.

• Check your turn signals, brake lights, and headlights regularly. Use them consistently so that other drivers can see what you’re doing. For instance, try to signal approximately half a block in advance when you plan to turn.

• Avoid blind spots: Don't linger in areas where the driver in front of you can't see you in their mirrors or through their windows.

Rain, fog, snow, ice, wind, mud and other weather features all impact driving. In rough weather or dangerous conditions, you’ll want to do things like:

• Slow down

• Leave extra space between your vehicle and others

• Turn on your lights if it is hard to see

• Be extra careful with turns and steep roads

• Pull over if it feels too dangerous to drive

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Take a nap before hitting the road. A brief twenty minute sleep can help you recharge before driving. If you have a big drive coming up, try to slip away for a short twenty minute nap before getting on the road. Even less than an hour of sleep can provide the rest you'll need to stay alert driving.

Food helps give your body the energy it needs to sustain itself. Prior to driving, have a healthy meal. Opt for energizing foods that will give you the power to stay awake for long hours driving.

• Go for complex carbohydrates and protein. Whole grains and lean protein, like turkey and chicken, can help you stay alert during long hours on the road.

• Avoid convenience foods, such as fast-food, or anything high in sugar or processed carbs. Such foods are likely to make your energy dip shortly after eating.

• Avoid heavy meal before driving

Take vitamins.

If you can decide when to start driving, drive when you feel your most energetic. Pay attention to your natural energy spikes and dips throughout the day, and plan to drive when you're at your most energetic.[4]

• For example, if you start to really wake up and feel energetic around 9 AM, plan to drive around that time of day.

Snacks around 100 calories will help wake you up a little, providing enough sustenance to combat fatigue. Anything heavier than 100 calories may make you crash after eating, so opt for healthy 100 calories snacks while driving.

• Sunflower seeds are often sold in 100 calorie packs and can keep you energized. Stock up on a few packs of sunflower seeds and eat them as necessary while driving.

A single cup of coffee contains about 75 milligrams of caffeine. This is enough to wake you up a little while driving, keeping you alert. Have one cup of coffee if you start to feel tired. This should give you an extra jolt that will help you keep going.

• Keep your eyes open for filling stations and coffee shops along the road. When you feel tired, pull over at one of these places and have a cup of coffee. Plus, you'll get to stretch your legs when not behind the wheel and you could even have a longer sleep if you wish.

This will keep your mouth busy. If you have something that occupies you, this can help you focus and stay awake. Pick up a couple of packs of chewing gum for a long trip. If you start to feel drowsy, chew some gum.

• Make sure to go for sugar-free gum. Sugary gum can cause a sugar crash, leaving you feeling more tired than you were before.

If you have to pull over and eat, go for small portions. Big, heavy meals can cause you to crash and become tired. Go for small portions and tiny meals when you pull over and snack on light foods throughout the drive. A number of small meals will keep you more energized than one or two big meals.

• For example, have half a sandwich at one stop and, when you're hungry again, pull over and eat the other half.

If you're getting tired while driving, pull over and take a nap. A short fifteen to twenty minute nap can recharge your brain, giving you the stamina you need to keep driving. Find a safe place to pull over and nap for about fifteen to twenty minutes.

• Choose a place far enough away from the main road you will not get hit by oncoming traffic. You should also choose a place that is not too isolated, such as car park near a filling station, for your safety.

• Set an alarm. You do not want a twenty minute nap to turn into an hour long nap.

Try taking frequent breaks to help you stay alert. If you're driving a long distance, try to stop 4 or so hours, especially if you're driving on the highways at night. Taking a quick break, even if it's just at a gas station to get a cup of coffee, rejuvenates you so you can keep driving until the next break. 

If you're feeling drowsy, take advantage of your car's stereo system. Turn the music up to at least 90 decibels. This should be disruptive enough that your body will be jarred awake.[9]

• See if your car's radio measures decibels. If it does not, just try to estimate. Turn up the car's radio until the noise is loud enough that you feel awake.

• Only turn the radio or stereo up this high for brief periods when you're tired, however. Habitually listening to music this loud can damage your hearing.

If at all possible, bring someone else along if you're driving on a long journey for several hours. Having another person in the car can keep you alert as the two of you can take turns driving. If you feel very tired, have the other person drive for a while.

The cool sensation of cold wind hitting your face can wake you up. If you start to feel tired, open a window for a few minutes. In addition to providing a cooling sensation, it will create a great deal of background noise. This will prevent you from nodding off

If you're too tired to drive safely, stop driving for the night. Driving when tired is extremely dangerous and can lead to accidents. If you notice any of the following, you are too tired to drive:[13]

• Frequent blinking and heavy eyelids

• Difficulty keeping your head up

• Frequent daydreaming

• Missing traffic lines, drifting into other lanes, tailgating

• Difficulty remembering the last few miles you drove

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Read medication labels carefully. Some medication can cause drowsiness. If you're on any medication, read the label carefully. Make sure drowsiness is not a side effect.

• If a medication causes drowsiness, it may not be safe to use while driving. If you have a medication you need to take regularly that causes drowsiness, talk to your doctor about how to manage driving while taking the medication.

These are the times where your circadian rhythm has a natural dip. It is dangerous to drive during these hours as there is an increased risk of falling asleep at the wheel. If at all possible, refrain from driving between midnight and six in the morning

Alcohol, even in small amounts, causes drowsiness. Do not have anything to drink before you need to get behind the wheel of a car