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10 Common Driving Mistakes South African Motorists Make

vuyi on March 30, 2023

We all know that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a big no-no and as such cannot be categorized as a mistake.

Drunk driving plays a huge factor in road fatalities annually but there are other causes of accidents and fender benders. Here are just 10 of the most common bad driving practises which can be seen on our roads almost daily.

1. Speeding

Driving at a speed that is unsafe for the current road, weather and lighting conditions can make it difficult, if not impossible to control your vehicle effectively. Bringing a speeding vehicle to a stop or trying to avoid an obstacle on the road can have fatal consequences as you may lose control completely. Speed limits are designed to keep drivers safe and it is dangerous to exceed them. Regardless of your environment, aim to drive at a pace which allows you to safely manoeuver your vehicle through curves, down a hill or in the rain.

2. Unsafe Lane Changes

Executing a safe lane change involves quite a few essential steps such as checking your mirrors and blind spot, adjusting your speed, turning on your indicators, finding a safe gap then merging smoothly into the lane. It is important to remember to look out for cyclists and bikers as these motorists are incredibly vulnerable in an accident.

3. Distracted Driving

Three things are critical for safe driving being: your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road and your mind on the task at hand. Driving distracted negates these essentials, putting all road users at risk. Multi-tasking is not something motorists should attempt to do because of the ever changing environment of the road and general traffic. Anything can and most likely will happen without notice and you need to be ready to react immediately – something you may not be able to do if you are texting, eating or your eyes are on the radio controls.

4. Not Maintaining A Safe Following Distance

Many motorists drive distracted resulting in their following the vehicle ahead of them too closely. The best way to ensure you have a safe cushion of space between your car and the one ahead is to wait for the leading vehicle to pass a fixed point on the road, then start counting to three. Should you pass the same point before reaching the count of three then you are most likely following too closely. As a general rule of thumb always increase your following distance at night, when driving behind a truck, in bad weather or when driving behind a motorcycle or cyclist.

5. Driving Too Slowly

This may surprise a few but driving too slowly for the current traffic conditions can be dangerous. Driving too slowly forces other drivers to either slow down or attempt to pass you and the more often cars pass each other, the greater the chances of there being a collision.

6. Failing To Read/Understand Road Signs

Road signs are there to give motorists information relating to the road or traffic conditions. It is important not to ignore them as you could find yourself driving too fast into a curve or blasting through a stop sign.

7. Drifting Between Lanes

Failure to stay in your lane is a definite way of annoying other motorists or causing an accident. In many instances drifting between lanes is due to driving distracted but can also be thanks to poorly marked roads or unskilled driving practises. With the exception of changing lanes always aim to steer your vehicle within your chosen lane.

8. Driving An Unroadworthy Vehicle

Sadly, driving a less than mechanically sound vehicle is common practise on our roads which leads to avoidable road accidents. Ranging from worn brakes, faulty indicators and tail lights, to cracked windscreens, dim headlights and damaged wiper blades, driving a vehicle which isn’t in tip-top condition puts you and other road users at risk. When you think about it, the cost of changing certain car parts is far less than the cost of repairs to a car so it’s worth getting your vehicle regularly by a professional.

9. Poor Evasive Skills

Being attentive on the road is a highly underrated driving skill, but one which could save your life. Should a toddler dash onto the road in front of you, or if a parcel falls off the truck in front you, you need to be ready to take evasive action. Attentive driving includes being aware of your surroundings and knowing where the open spaces are that you can escape to.

10. Driving While Drowsy

Similar to driving under the influence, there is no excuse for driving while drowsy. A safe drive includes being alert, attentive and in control of your vehicle, all of which you cannot do if driving while drowsy. Make sure you get sufficient rest before getting behind the wheel as tiredness can be fatal.

4 Ways to Beat Rising Fuel Prices

vuyi on August 9, 2021

South Africans are facing one of their largest increases to fuel prices yet after petrol increased by 91c per litre and diesel by 55c per litre on Wednesday 4 August 2021.

It has already been a tough year for South Africans and motorists who now have to fork out much more for fuel than ever before. The fuel price increase come on the heels of a difficult economic situation due to lockdown and because of recent unrest.

The best way to reduce petrol consumption is to change your mindset which in turn will affect your driving attitude for the better. Here with a few tips to help you readjust your driving habits and save fuel.

1. Anticipate conditions

Adopt a defensive driving style so you can anticipate changing traffic conditions before they happen. You should drive looking 12 seconds ahead of you. This will allow you to see traffic slowing ahead of you or traffic light changes well before they happen; allowing you to timeously adjust your own speed to avoid coming to a complete or sudden stop.

2. Do not speed

Drive at speeds that suit the current conditions and avoid speeding. Reducing speed by 20kph in certain instances can reduce fuel consumption by 20%. Often speed is also accompanied by fast lane changes, sudden acceleration and harsh braking. Not only does this increase fuel consumption but it also costs you more in maintenance. Increasing your speed will only make minimal, if any, difference to trip times.

3. Plan ahead

Plan each journey to save fuel. It can help you avoid traffic jams; help you choose the most fuel-efficient routes and avoid leaving too little time. It will also help you avoid rushing which makes driving fuel efficiently almost impossible.

4. Drive nicely

As mentioned already, inconsiderate driving increases fuel consumption. This includes unnecessary lane changes, harsh acceleration and speeding. Instead, keep to the road rules and follow techniques such as keeping your engine revs between 2500 and 3000rpm. This can result in a saving of up to 20% in fuel consumption.

Use fuel-savings tips to reduce the impact of high fuel prices and get the most out of each full tank.

Source: MasterDrive

CAR TIP OF THE WEEK: Adjust your speed and braking distance

vuyi on July 5, 2021

In winter, it is wise to drive a little slower than normal, and to always leave enough space between you and the car in front of yours.. What many motorists don’t know is that it takes from four to 10 times more distance to stop on ice and snow than on dry tar.

Also, try not to brake abruptly. In winter weather, sudden braking can lead to a loss of traction, so don’t slam on brakes. If you feel your tyres starting to slip, try taking your foot off the accelerator and gradually steer in the opposite direction of where you are skidding.

CAR TIP OF THE WEEK: How to Calculate a Safe Following Distance

vuyi on May 4, 2021

For some curious reason some motorists seem to think that they closer they drive behind the vehicle in front of theirs, the sooner they will reach their destination but all they do is create an unsafe driving environment.

Keeping a safe following distance is one of the most basic safety tips most drivers seem to forget, yet by creating space between your car and the one ahead of yours all drivers immediately minimise bumper to bumper crashes and frustration.

Regardless visibility, weather conditions and traffic volumes maintaining a three-second following distance is a safe thing to practise.

To calculate a three-second following distance:

Identify an object on the side of the road ahead of you
When the leading vehicle passes that object, start counting as follows – one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three
If you get to the object in less than three seconds, your following distance is too small and needs to be extended.
Simply let off the accelerator and create more space.

In poor weather conditions such as fog, rain and snow, your following distance should be increased to at least six seconds. The more adverse the weather becomes; the more space needs to be created between your vehicle and the one ahead of yours.

Driving in stormy weather

vuyi on January 26, 2021

Southern Africa is the site of a weather anomaly as tropical storm Eloise, clashes with another weather disturbance, ex-Eloise. The result has been severe weather conditions across South Africa from mild rain to flooding. Drivers need to exert extra caution and be prepared for the challenges this will create.

First and foremost, try to stay off the roads or if you cannot, avoid low-lying bridges, areas prone to flash floods or large pools of water in the road. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Driving in rain

Turn on your headlights.
Leave larger following distances so that you have more time to respond if something goes wrong.
Aquaplaning (skidding) is one of the biggest risks in rainy weather.
- If you do aquaplane, slowly lift your foot off the accelerator.
- If you start to skid, do not slam on the brakes.
- Do not jerk your steering wheel in an attempt to guide the direction you want to go in, rather continue steering in the direction you want to go
If the downpour becomes extreme and there is a safe place to pull over, and wait for it to subside.

Pools of water:

Estimate the depth of the water. Avoid driving through water that comes to the middle of the tyre or higher.
Most drivers risk driving through a pool of water but roads that collect water are more vulnerable to collapse and it is easy to underestimate their depth.
Where possible, drive in the middle of a road where the water is at its lowest.
Be prepared for off spray from passing cars which can be blinding.

Fast-flowing water

Never drive through fast flowing water as it is very difficult to judge its depth.
If you are caught in fast-flowing water unexpectedly, drive slowly and steadily through while in first or second gear.
Once you are through the water, lightly touch your brake a few times to dry them off.

If you are in danger of being swept away abandon the vehicle but only if you can get to a place of safety. Rather be overcautious because it is better to be safe than

8 Daily Driving Habits to Keep You Safe on the Road

vuyi on October 15, 2020

Weather you are a seasoned driver or are newly licensed, it is imperative to cultivate good driving habits.

As any motorists will tell you developing bad driving habits is all too easy, but by consciously making a daily effort to drive with care and consideration, it is possible to significantly improve your on-road safety. Here are a few basics to keep in mind next time you turn on the ignition:

Maintain a safe constant speed and avoid weaving in and out of lanes.
Use the 2-3 second rule to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle ahead of you. Increase this to 4-6 seconds when towing a trailer and or when driving;
- in bad weather conditions,
- at night
- on gravel
Reduce your speed to suit the road, traffic and weather conditions you are driving in.
Always have an escape route – space to manouver your vehicle should your immediate path of travel be unexpectedly blocked.
Be aware of the position and proximity of other vehicles within your surroundings.
Keep to the speed limit at all times, as driving too fast could compromise your ability to stop the car safely.
Always drive defensively.
Obey all the road rules including:
- stopping at red traffic lights,
- slowing down when approaching an amber traffic light,
- giving way to pedestrians, joggers and cyclists
- yielding correctly at all intersections (traffic circles and 4-say stops)
- coming to a complete stop at STOP signs

Remember that driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol could lead to accidents, injury or in extreme instances, fatalities.

Driving In High Accident Zones

vuyi on June 30, 2020

Every driver has seen a roadside sign warning them that the section of the road that they are driving on is a high-risk accident zone. When a driver sees one of these signs, they should change their driving style and increase their awareness levels to be ready to respond to unexpected challenges.

Assess the situation to determine what makes that stretch of road dangerous and adapt your driving to account for this.
– eugene herbert, managing director – masterdrive

The managing director of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, explains areas that have high accident rates with warning signs of this, require changes to your driving to meet the situation. “It is up to you to assess the area and identify what makes that particular area high risk. Van Reenen’s Pass is one of South Africa’s more notorious high-risk areas because it is vulnerable to bad weather and a dangerous area for trucks to travel.

“In this instance drivers need to drive with more caution especially when weather conditions are bad and ensure they follow the instructions along the route that separate cars and trucks. Additionally, keep an eye out for vehicles that may swerve into oncoming traffic.”

There are a number of other conditions that can make a road into a high-risk area. “Concealed accesses, high traffic volumes, a blind rise, animals that may wander into the road, high incidents of negligent driving, low visibility, roads prone to potholes and weather conditions are just a few challenges that can make an area high risk.

“Assess the situation to determine what makes that stretch of road dangerous and adapt your driving to account for this. Even if you cannot immediately identify the risk, be just as cautious as what you would if you did know,” says Herbert.

Examples of driving styles that you can ensure you are following include:

Slow down so that you have extra time to react should a car suddenly enter the road from a side road unexpectedly or to react to many other hazards
Increase your following distances to give yourself additional time and space to react to the actions of cars ahead of you or to concealed obstacles
Look 12 seconds ahead as you drive so that any potentially dangerous situations do not catch you unaware
Watch the reactions of drivers in front of you. Additional time and space gives you the opportunity to notice if all the cars ahead are veering to one side of the road to avoid something like a pothole and allows you to react to the hazard timeously and carefully
Always drive with your headlights on to increase your visibility to other vehicles or pedestrians
Be prepared for slippery roads by paying attention to your surroundings and learning what to do should you lose control of your vehicle
Do not drive fatigued as it can make something as simple as a straight road extremely dangerous because your ability to pay attention and react quickly, among other issues, is affected
Be patient and courteous in heavy traffic. Losing your cool or preventing others from entering a lane creates dangerous as well as volatile situations

Roads where you are at a higher risk of crashing are not unusual, making preparation for it essential. “Follow the principles of defensive driving on these roads and be ready for any challenge you may encounter to ensure you emerge from these areas as safely as possible,” advises Herbert.