There are two components of defensive driving.

You are the only driver you can control. Stay alert. Stay engaged.
Your Vehicle is the only vehicle you can control. Prepare and maintain your vehicle for driving.

Cognizant

You must stay mentally engaged in driving. Performing any other activity while driving takes your mind away from the task at hand, driving. This includes but is not limited to talking on the phone, whether hands-free or not; eating; reading maps; and texting.

Visual

You must be able to see the road, road conditions, traffic, and pedestrians. Anything that takes your eyes off the road, no matter how briefly, interferes with your ability to visually focus on the road.

Manual

You must have both hands on the steering wheel. Any activity that takes your hands off the steering wheel affects your ability to effectively control your vehicle: Adjusting the radio, eating, texting, shaving, or applying makeup are all activities that take your hands off the steering wheel and keep you from effectively controlling your vehicle.

Audial

Being able to hear the sounds of traffic and the sounds of emergency vehicles is crucial to driving defensively. Listening to music while wearing headphones not only is illegal in Oklahoma, but it also diminishes your ability to hear approaching emergency vehicles. Sometimes, the sound of screeching tires can alert you to a potential hazard you may need to avoid.