We are already in the festive season with Christmas Day just a few days away.
There is need for every motorist to drive with a defensive mentality and attitude in order to contribute to an accident free festive season.
Accidents are devastating to our families, our communities and the country as a whole. Defensive driving is a set of driving skills that allows you to defend yourself against possible collisions caused by bad driving behavior and poor weather conditions.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), road traffic injuries are the eighth leading cause of death, after heart disease, stroke, lower respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diarrheal diseases, HIV and Aids, trachea bronchitis and diabetes.
Road traffic injuries are further said to be the number one cause of death in the 15 to 29 age group worldwide.
It is, therefore, very worrisome because the youths are the future of any country or community and your contribution towards reducing accidents is indeed critical.
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Today l would like to share with you several defensive driving techniques that are essential to aid you from avoiding accidents this festive period that includes:
Eliminate distractions
Scientists have studied the reasons behind the large number of car accidents that occur every year, and the most common cause is that the driver has been distracted.
For this reason, eliminating distractions is number one among top 10 defensive driving tips.
Limit the number of distractions that you have in the car, such as paying attention to your children, using your mobile phone, eating or getting involved in some deep talking with other passengers in your car.
The wives are encouraged to avoid at all costs from getting the children to create any form of distraction during the entire trip.
Focus on the horizon
Rather than keeping your eyes fixed on the car right in front of you, keep your eyes on the horizon as you watch the traffic ahead of you.
You will be able to see any activity that may cause an accident, and it will give you plenty of time to adjust accordingly.
Stay in one lane as much as possible
Many car accidents happen when a person suddenly changes lanes and gets rear ended. Choose a lane and stay there as long as possible.
Learn to reduce the speed as a function of driving because apparently this is what causes most drivers to change the learn by trying to avoid reducing.
Keep an eye on lane changers
If you aren’t the one changing lanes, then you need to keep an eye on those who are.
Many drivers try to slip between cars, even if it is too dangerous to do so. Watch all of your mirrors so that you can see anyone who may be approaching you quickly.
Slow down to let them pass if necessary because you are not in a race.
Watch blind spots
While some people may not zip in and out of traffic, others carelessly move into another lane without checking their blind spots.
In order to avoid getting struck by one of these drivers, stay out of the blind spots of the cars around you.
You can accelerate so that they can see you clearly, or you can slow down so that you are a safe distance behind the other car.
Avoid eye contact
Scientists have found that road rage is escalated when drivers look directly at one another.
Most people who suffer from road rage are looking for ways to anger others rather than getting angry about something that has just occurred.
Avoid making eye contact with these drivers, and continue driving as you were.
Check intersections
Intersections are where many accidents occur.
Many drivers will simply start driving when the light turns green, but not everyone stops when the light turns red.
Check your left side for any cars that are ignoring the red light, and then look to the right before you start driving through the intersection.
Know the rules of swerving
It is very important that you only swerve if you are unable to prevent an accident otherwise.
In order to swerve safely, you should make sure that the lane that you will be entering is empty, and return to your lane immediately to prevent further problems.
Keep your distance from bad drivers
If you notice that someone is showing signs of being a bad driver, then you need to keep your distance.
You may want to change lanes and slow down to let the car pass so that you don’t have a chance of it rear ending you.
If you need to pass a bad driver, try to keep a good distance between you.
Don’t tailgate
When you drive too closely to another vehicle, you increase your risk for an accident because you leave yourself very little room to avoid an accident.
Try to stay at least three to four seconds behind the person in front of you. If you have a larger vehicle, you will need to allow more room so that you will have enough time to stop.
Tailgating is on just about every top ten defensive driving tips list, and for good reason.
Driving is not as easy as it appears. Break up your driving time by taking a 15 to 30-minute rest every two-to-three hours is recommended to reduce the fatigue and anxiety to arrive.
Get out of your vehicle and walk around and relax for a while. This will help to loosen tired muscles and rest tired eyes.
Use this time to inspect your vehicle as that will also improve your alertness.
It is essential that those who are in the same vehicle with you understand that you are actually performing a “driver job” although you maybe a father or mother or sister to the other occupants.
Proper planning before your journey can help reduce much of the holiday traffic congestion that leads to impatience and accidents.
If you look ahead and keep your eyes moving, you will spot potential hazards more easily. Once you have identified a potential hazard and decided what to do, act immediately.
Most highways will be congested as people go to their rural areas.
It is advisable to avoid travelling a day or two before the actual holiday like Christmas Day because of bad traffic congestion.
A motor vehicle is technical equipment that can only perform well if well maintained and functioning properly in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards.
There are basic checks that include the fluids, the tires, the brakes, the lights, the windshield wipers and the coolant that a good driver must do before embarking on a journey.
Allow me to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Thank you for patronising with me on this column and this coming year there are exciting opportunities that shall be available to you to buy and sale your cars or spare parts.
*Stanley Makombe has 24 years’ experience in this industry, currently handling vehicle imports from Japan, Thailand, UK and South Africa into African countries. He writes in his own capacity and can be contacted on +254 743 900 590, on X @Stan_Carsales, email: stanley@stanleymakombe.com, www.stanleymakombe.com