The festive season is upon us. Many South African motorists are heading for holiday destinations, which usually include long drives on busy roads.
Up to 90% of car accidents relate to mistakes drivers make while driving. We learnt a great deal about safe or defensive driving in the process of attaining our driver’s licences. It is best to operate in the same manner that leads you to pass your driver’s licence test. Nevertheless, some driver safety tips may be useful for South African motorists. Here are several points to note before you get behind the steering wheel again.
Seat belts
All occupants of a car should always wear their seatbelts. It can be a life-saving decision because it reduces the risk of dying in a car accident by up to a staggering 45%. Make sure that small children are properly buckled up in their safety chairs on the back seat as per safety regulations.
Driver fatigue
Driver fatigue can be subtle and slowly creep up on drivers.
- Make sure you get enough sleep before your long driving trip, which should be a minimum of 6 hours.
- The excitement and determination to get to your holiday destination could cause motorists to ignore the warning signs of driver fatigue. Be mindful of these sings:
- often yawning;
- struggling to keep your eyes open; and
- paying attention is difficult.
- Avoid drinking any alcohol during your trip.
- Make use of high-quality sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun’s glare.
- Don’t eat high-calorie food. These ‘heavy’ foods may include eggs, potatoes, oatmeal, meat, soups and other foods.
- It is beneficial to drive with two qualified drivers as you can share the journey together while having someone to talk to as well.
- Take breaks during your long journey by stopping and getting out of your car along your route at, for example, petrol stations. Take 15-minute breaks every 2 hours or after you have driven 160km.
- Take a quick nap if you are feeling tired at your stop along your journey if you think that you need it. Be mindful to stop where it is safe to do so within a designated resting area or parking lot.
Remember to check your blind spots
What are blind spots? In short, these are visual areas around your car that you can’t directly see while in your normal driving position.
For example, carefully check over your right shoulder, centre mirror and side mirror to look for any vehicles before you change lanes. A car accident could occur if you fail to see a passing car that is present in your blind spot. Some vehicles can help you with this particular blind spot, where a warning system is triggered if a car is present in this blind spot.
Safe following distances
Vehicles of all sizes need space and time on the road to come to an emergency stop and for stopping in general. The larger the car, like trucks, the longer the distance and time it takes to stop. Don’t cut off trucks. Give trucks the room that they need to operate safely. Remember to practise the 2-3 second rule and the 4-6 rule when driving in poor weather conditions or on imperfect road surfaces. The above rules refer to the time it takes to drive between two points on the road.
Allow cars to pass you in a safe manner if they are driving too closely. You want to avoid them crashing into the back of your car if you need to make an emergency stop.
Distractions
Avoid texting while driving and don’t let your passengers distract you from driving safely. Motorists need to be fully aware of their surroundings and be ready to react to an emergency on the road.
Vehicle maintenance
A roadworthy car is a safe car. Here are some examples of essential elements of vehicle roadworthiness. Tyres that are in poor condition will fail to stop your vehicle adequately in an emergency. Make sure that your car’s tyres are inflated correctly as well. Ensure that your windscreen is clean and that your wiper blades are in good condition too. A reliable engine is especially crucial for long-distance driving. A car’s suspension should be in a roadworthy state as well.
Don’t be reckless and don’t speed
Be patient while driving. Reckless driving behaviour can increase your chances of causing a car accident because you didn’t think about your actions properly. Obey all street signs and traffic lights.
Stick to the demarcated speed limits. Speed limits are there for you and other motorists’ safety. To avoid speeding and being late, leave early for your destination instead.
Please drive safely on our roads. It may save your life and others’ lives too.
Life is full of unavoidable uncertainties, especially when driving your car. So, have you considered getting affordable car insurance too? Feel free to consider getting a quote for affordable car insurance with PMD.
Road Safety Tips for the Festive Season
Vehicle Suspension and Safe Driving
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
How can we Drive more Defensively this Festive Season? https://t.co/TuAvUYtA0o #ArriveAlive #DefensiveDriving pic.twitter.com/L97baPGxM9
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 20, 2019