DRIVING AND SAFETY TIPS
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  No matter how good, how fast, how expensive or how efficient your vehicle is, its YOU who determines whether it's a SAFE means of Transport.
“Drivers Skills” and “Drivers Attitude” are 2 key areas which determine your approach behind the wheel.

What is the Attitude of Drivers???!!!

Well, the Drivers Attitude is a culmination of 5 qualities that influence the behavior of a driver. Those are:-
  1. Responsibility
  2. Concentration
  3. Anticipation
  4. Patience
  5. and Confidence
 

TIP #1

As a “Responsible Driver”, you should always be concerned about the Safety of:-

  1. Yourself and your passengers
  2. Of all other road users, particularly the most vulnerable such as children, the elderly people, the disabled, cyclists and motorcyclists
Be “Tolerant”; remember that everyone is entitled to use the road. Look and Plan your Actions Well Ahead to Avoid Danger of Inconvenience. This way you can avoid the temptation to act hastily and perhaps dire consequences.

 

TIP #2

One of the most important qualities of a Safe Driver is “Concentration”.

To be able to drive safely in today's traffic conditions, one must have 100% concentration. If you let your mind wander, even for a moment, the risk of making a mistake is increased enormously and mistakes frequently lead to accidents.

Avoid Driving if:-
  1. You are feeling tired or un-well.
  2. You are thinking about something else.
  3. You are upset or annoyed.
  4. You are suffering from any kind of stress.
  5. You are feeling sleepy; take a break of 5 minutes.
  6. You have to drive in any condition, give yourself more time to react

While Driving:-

  1. Do not let conversations distract you (specially an argument with fellow passenger).
  2. Do not make telephone calls or answer any until and unless necessary. Better to park your vehicle out of traffic safely to make or answer any calls.
  3. Do not make or answer any calls, unless you are using a wireless (hands free) set.
  4. Do not listen to loud music or use headphones of any kind.
  5. Do not try changing CDs / Cassettes / Radio channels
  6. Do not eat / drink because it surely creates distraction
 

TIP #3

“Anticipation” in driving is planning well ahead and acting promptly to deal with changes going around you. It should, with experience, become almost an automatic reaction. It's the hallmark of a good driver.
You need to continually question the actions o other road users. And if you plan ahead, and try to anticipate the actions of other, you can:-

  1. Avoid being taken by surprise.
  2. Prevent some hazards from happening.
  3. Take early evasive actions for those hazards that do develop.
Anticipation and good [planning are essential to develop defensive driving techniques.

 

TIP #4

They say, “Patience” is a virtue. And aggression seems to be common on our roads. But that should not be an excuse while driving.

One should not let bad driving behavior of other motorists lead to any conflict. If you do, you are well on the way of an Accident.

Be prepared to make allowances for someone else's mistakes. In everyone's interest, try to ignore their behavior.

  1. Do not drive in a spirit of retaliation or competition.
  2. Never use aggressive language and gestures.
  3. Please do not try to teach another road user a lesson even if they have caused inconvenience to you. If you do, that could lead to a major accident.
  4. Keep yourself calm at all times specially while driving.
  5. Always show restrain and use sound judgments.
 

TIP #5

A good driver should have good attitude towards fellow motorist and “Confidence”.

Confidence is all part of a driver's attitude and is closely related to Skill, Judgment and Experience.
New drivers will naturally be unsure of themselves, but, confidence will grow with experience. A good driver will avoid being over-confident, as this only leads to carelessness.

Remember, taking risks can cause accidents.

 


TIP #6

Using your driving mirrors regularly and sensibly is essential for safe and eventually good driving.
Learning to judge the speed and distance of fellow motorists takes time. Try the following exercise when your vehicle is stationary:-

  1. Compare the different impressions when you view vehicles through the rear view mirror and side mirrors.
  2. The vehicles may seem smaller in smaller mirrors.
  3. Always look over your shoulder to get the real view.
  4. While stationary, look for blind spots. These are the areas that your mirrors don't always show you.
  5. Using shoulder as a routine helps you overcome these blind spots.

 
 

TIP #7

Driver's mirror is often referred to as the “third eye”. Mirrors are one of the keys to defensive driving. Always use them to keep up-to-date with what is behind and to the sides of your vehicle. If you rotate your look on the mirror quite often, when you finish long journeys, your eyes will not be that tired.

Remember, do not just look into your mirrors, act safely and sensibly on what you see.

When you look in mirrors:-

  1. Always use your mirrors in good time that is before you approach any hazard.
  2. Slow down, change lanes or maneuver.
  3. Act sensibly on what you see and always remember the MSM rule.
 

TIP #8

Regardless of your driving experience, you must make mirrors signal and maneuver routine as integral part of your driving.

Remember this routine:

  1. Mirrors – check the speed and position of traffic behind you.
  2. Signal – consider whether a signal is necessary. If it is, signal your intention to change course or slow down in good time.
  3. Maneuver – a maneuver is any change of speed or position.
Always use the MSM rule before:
  1. Moving Off.
  2. Signaling.
  3. Changing direction, turning left or right or overtaking.
  4. Slowing down or stopping.
 

TIP #9

One vital quality for a safe driver is to keep up-to-date with your position and speed of traffic behind you.
Good drivers should always know as much about the conditions behind as they know about the traffic situation ahead. Traffic positions change rapidly on some roads. Frequent glances in mirrors keep you up-to-date with what is behind. How frequently should you keep viewing the mirrors depends upon roads and traffic conditions. And when on highways, check your mirrors earlier than on ordinary roads.

 


TIP #10

The knowledge of How to, When to and How Much to Brake improves a driver's skills and control. Braking is a vital part of safe driving. The best way to brake is to brake progressively, which is controlled braking over a longer distance. If you anticipate properly, you don't have to brake fiercely. Good anticipation will give you time to brake progressively.

Late and harsh braking is a sign of poor anticipation and reduced safety margin. Whenever you brake, you should consider:-

  1. Safety and peace of mind of everyone concerned, including your passengers.
  2. Wear and tear on brakes, tires and suspension.
  3. Following vehicles whose brakes might not be as powerful as yours.
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