I used to think defensive driving was the stupidest thing when I first got my license. Then I got a motorcycle and it's a miracle I didn't die. Realized that defensive riding on a motorcycle is really necessary if you want to ride for a long time. Now I actually take joy in defensive driving and treat it like a game.

"this guy is going to try and sneak in at the last second of the merge, I'm going to leave a little more space so I don't have to hit the brakes" yup

"this guy just turned his turn signal on and then off again, bet he is going to turn at the next street. I'll back off a bit so I don't have to hit my brakes when he turns" yup

It's fun to pretend like you can predict the future and safe too.