Defensive driving is a term that not everyone truly understands. Everybody likes to think that they are a reasonably safe driver, perhaps not perfect but generally doing a good job. And that's true. Most of the time, a driver who is involved in a collision has a clean driving record and wasn't doing anything wrong. Think about it: other than in cases of shared liability, usually half of the drivers in a car crash aren't at fault.

Luckily, though, there is something you can do even if you are already a good driver - you can take a defensive driving course to learn techniques for preventing the accident that is not your fault. While it's not possible to control the actions of other drivers, you can control how you react to them and begin to more accurately anticipate them so that you are not in the lane when they drift over, or in the intersection when they run the red light, or stopped in front of them when they slam on the brakes a few seconds too late.

It's more convenient than ever to get this type of education, by participating in a defensive driving online program. These courses are also used to satisfy court-ordered traffic school or supplement a good-driver discount program in some areas, but anyone can take the course at any time, simply to become a more skilled defensive driver.

To take an online course in traffic safety, simply do a little research and find one of the many schools online that offer defensive driving classes. Because you are not taking the course to meet any governing body's specific requirements, you can select any defensive driving course you like, so be sure to look at the reputation and overall "feel" you get from the school. That will guide you in finding the provider that is right for you.

Once you've picked a school, there's usually a small payment, between $20 and $40, give or take, to register for and complete the class. You can complete this transaction totally online, and then go directly to the course material. There, you'll find safe driving tips as well as the latest information on changes in laws and general wisdom in driving technique. For example, many experts no longer recommend the "10 and 2" hand position on the steering wheel, because with power steering and steering column airbags, a lower position is safer and more comfortable. You will also discover what the current laws are in your area, for things such as mobile phone use while driving, and where it is illegal to smoke in the car if there is a passenger under 18 present (California recently enacted this law).

You can wait until a judge orders you to take defensive driving, or never take it and hope for the best. Or you can take advantage of the convenience of online delivery methods and register to brush up on your driving skills, possibly preventing an accident that would otherwise be lurking around the next corner.