Final answer:
Defensive driving seeks to preemptively identify driving hazards to prevent collisions, with safety measures like seat belts and airbags enhancing survival rates in accidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
In all instances, defensive driving attempts to avoid collisions by identifying, in advance, potential and immediate hazards. The goal of defensive driving is to minimize the risks associated with driving by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others. This proactive approach to safety can include maintaining a safe following distance, being aware of your surroundings, and being prepared to respond quickly and effectively to avoid accidents. Defensive driving techniques are crucial because car damage can be very expensive, particularly when caused by drivers without car insurance.
The concept of collision theory is also applicable to road safety when analyzing the relationship between speed and stopping distance. In addition, understanding the effects of elastic and inelastic collisions can help in anticipating the outcome of potential accidents. Vehicles have evolving safety features, such as seat belts and airbags that make use of physics concepts like impulse to reduce the severity of injuries. Moreover, laws requiring use of seat belts reflect society's effort to protect individuals from preventable harm caused by collisions.