Tips for Safe
Driving
1. New Road Rules
The road rules are forever changing to keep in touch
with modern vehicles and traffic conditions, eg NSW
recently introduced a fine for using a child seat in
the front seat of a vehicle fitted with a passenger
side airbag. Every year when you renew your registration
log on to the RTA web site
www.rta.nsw.gov.au and download
the latest road rules, it could save you a fine.
2. Seat Belts
Remember the last time you took an aeroplane trip and the flight safety message said please fit your seat belt "low and tight" well you should do the same when driving. Keep your seat belt low across your hips and remove the slack about every 15 -20 minutes. Correct fitting of your seat belt can reduce internal injuries in a crash.
3. SRS Air Bags
Air bags are a great safety device, but in order for them to have maximum efficiency the steering wheel height must be adjusted to suit the driver’s build. Adjust the steering wheel as low as possible ensuring you can still see all the instruments clearly and that you can operate the foot petals correctly. It is a good idea to be at least 200mm away from the steering column. By the way SRS stands for supplementary restraining system, this means it is used with the seat belt.
4. Braking Technique
In days gone by drivers were told to pump the brakes in an emergency. A more effective technique with the modern vehicle is three-stage braking. Stage 1 is to quickly but gently take the free-play out of the pedal. Stage 2 is to feed in pressure progressively. Stage 3 is to ease off pressure just prior to stopping. The benefits of three-stage braking are that there is less chance of "locking up" and it can be used every time you use the brakes not just in emergencies.
5. Avoid lane changing crashes
As most good drivers know all vehicles have a "blind-spots" where the mirror doesn't pick up, and the only way to safely change lanes is to have a "head-check" before you start steering. The only problem is that not all drivers have a blind-spot check, so it is a good idea not to drive in other vehicle's blind spots in multi-lane traffic. Simply keep behind the line of their back bumper bar or in front of the driver.
6. Driver’s Perspective
MMany drivers externalise after a crash as a means of protecting their self-esteem. That is to say they blame outside influences like the weather or the road condition for their misfortunes. Drivers who externalise often make the same mistake many times "I've only ever had 2 crashes, they weren't my fault the cars in front stopped suddenly". Good drivers internalise, they consider what they could have done differently that may prevent the same situation happening to them again.
7. Strategies to Reduce Fatigue
If you are going on a long trip don't fill up before hand; start with your petrol tank half full. This will prevent the temptation of driving for 400km before your first stop. Before you leave drink 2 glasses of water, and try to drink at least a litre of water every 2 hours. Dehydration is a real problem when driving in air-conditioned vehicles.
8. Vision needs
Many things have an influence on our speed - traffic, weather and road conditions and of course speed limits. Arguably the most significant influence is vision. We can only safely travel as fast as our brain's ability to see, process and respond to information. In order to drive safely we need a minimum of 5-seconds clear vision. If an oncoming vehicle is approaching at the same speed as you, you only have 2 ½ seconds in which to see it and take action if it is on your side of the road. In fog, around corners and approaching crests if you don't have 5 seconds vision SLOW DOWN.
9 Cornering Lines
In days gone by when tyres, brakes and suspension were not as advanced, people were taught to try and straighten out a corner. With modern cars this cornering line is not only unnecessary, it is potentially very dangerous. With increased speeds on the road and the increased traffic the likelihood of a head on collision or running off the road is much greater. For our modern traffic environment a much safer line is to simply slow down and keep left away from the head-on zone.
10 Overtaking Technique
Many people commence an overtaking manoeuvre from immediately behind the slower vehicle. This is very dangerous, not only because you have limited vision but also you are next to the vehicle whilst you build up speed. A far safer way to overtake is to start further back. This allows you to build up speed whilst you still have the ability to abort the manoeuvre if necessary it also minimises the dangerous time where you are along side the other vehicle.
