What should you understand by defensive driving?

Defensive driving is crucial for maintaining safety on the road, as it emphasizes the importance of being aware of your surroundings and anticipating the actions of other road users. The two selected aspects—"not insisting on your rights" and "allowing for other people's mistakes"—align with this principle.

1. Not insisting on your rights: In a driving context, this means understanding that being overly aggressive about your rights on the road can lead to dangerous situations. It involves yielding when necessary, even if you technically have the right of way, to avoid potential accidents.

2. Allowing for other people's mistakes: This aspect is about acknowledging that other drivers may make errors. Being prepared for these mistakes can prevent accidents. Driving defensively includes anticipating potential hazards and being ready to react appropriately.

Stopping as a precaution at every crossroads, while it may enhance safety, is not part of defensive driving as defined by German traffic laws. Instead, it can lead to unnecessary delays and may not be practical in every situation. Defensive driving focuses on awareness and anticipation rather than constant stopping. Understanding these elements is essential for safe driving practices on German roads.