I think that proper defensive driving is about identifying risks around you and achieving separation from those risks proactively. That can involve "classic" de

I think that proper defensive driving is about identifying risks around you and achieving separation from those risks proactively. That can involve "classic" defensive driving stuff like going the speed limit, staying in your lane, etc. But it can also involve passing a driver who's clearly not paying attention so they (and their decisions) take place behind you, where they can't hurt you. For example, if I'm behind a vehicle that's constantly braking because the driver is screwing around with their phone, I'm passing the fucker. That vehicle is dangerous and being operated by a moron, and I'm not going to subject myself to that risk. Similarly, if I see a car weaving through traffic in my rearview, I'm going to temporarily close the gap with the car in front of me so that the wannabe street racer doesn't get tempted to swipe in front of me. These are both things that classic defensive driving tell you to absolutely never do, but for me, they mitigate the most proximate risks.