Defensive Driving and Traffic SafetyTips

Traffic Safety Tips

• Always check the  vehicle  prior  to driving it.(Use the checklist   provided this website forms for your daily inspection)
• When driving, keep a safe  distance,  at  least  3  seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Do not change lanes unless you  are 100% sure it is safe to do so. Do  not only  rely  on  your rear view mirrors because they have blind spots. Look over your shoulder.
• Always stay within the  speed  limits  and  do   not  over  speed. You       will    have more time to react if you drive under  the  speed  limit.
• Your safety belt must always be  fastened  when  driving  a vehicle. Ensure that everyone in the  vehicle is buckled up.
• Never drive a vehicle  after taking   medication that makes you drowsy.
• Never use your mobile phone while driving.
• Obey traffic signals
• Avoid reckless drivers on the road to the best of your ability.
• Stay clear of reckless drivers and do not attempt to overtake them; You do not know what to expect next.
• Ignore foul hand signs and  abusive language.
• By apologizing, even  though   you were in the right,  might just  diffuse another driver’s ego.
• Always be on the lookout for pedestrians, cyclists, cars  entering intersections and objects on the road.
• Always use your vehicle signals. If necessary, also use hand  signals  to tell other road users   what  your intentions are.
• Do not overload  pick-up’s and delivery trucks.It will become unstable and tires  will burst due to extra weight and pressure.
• Drive to the right and  use the left lane  to  pass  a  another  vehicle to the left.
• Vehicles entering an  intersection  or traffic circle from the left, should  give other  traffic  already  in  the  circle  or traveling  from  the  left,  the right   of way.
• Never stop suddenly on a highway, pull into the emergency lane instead

 Buses And Mini-Buses

• Always keep your bus clean on the in and outside and   ask  passengers  to remove their rubble.
• Plan the route you are going to use to get to your destination, before hand.
• Always use routs   that  you  are familiar with.
• Always drive to the right side of the free-way and never overtake  unless  it is absolutely necessary.
• Never over speed,  stay  within the speed limits.
• If you drive  at  a moderate   speed, you  will  have  more  reaction  time during a crisis.
• If you become sleepy while driving a vehicle,  it’s  better to  stop  and take a rest. Always    designate  someone   to  stay  awake  with  the driver to  prevent him  from  falling  asleep  behind  the steering wheel.
• Designate more than  one driver to relieve   the    other   when   driving long distances.
• If you experience a breakdown or a flat tire with   your   vehicle  while driving,  do  not  step on the brakes. Gear down to  slow down  speed until  it’s safe  to lightly  apply breaks. Park the vehicle completely off  the  road  if  possible.  Turn on your  hazard  lights  and  place  the triangles a  minimum of  25 meters behind and in front of the vehicle.
• Do not stop on  free-ways to take a rest, rather stop at  a  gas  station or  a  designated place where your vehicle  will   be   completely  off   the road.
• Be on the lookout for pedestrians and animals.
• Drive your Bus  or  Mini-Bus, using  both hands. Due the configuration of  your vehicle,  it  has  a  greater  wind resistance and you could easily loose grip  on  your  steering  wheel during high winds or poor road conditions.
• During high density fog or  dusty conditions,  turn  on   the head lights (low beam, not high) as  well  as  the hazard  lights  to warn other vehicles of your presence.
• When you have to cross  a road  or intersection,  ensure there  is no oncoming traffic.
• Be extra cautious  when  driving towards   intersections  and  traffic lights.