3 Types of Eyesight Ailments That Affect Your Ability to Drive
There are endless medical problems that can affect your ability to drive safely – both temporary and permanent and in this article we focus on your vision.
Car Tip of the Week: Tips For Driving At Night
It’s important not to be deceived into thinking that it’s safer to drive at night because there’s less traffic. As mentioned above, driving responsibly and looking after your eyes are key. So many drivers suffer from nyctalopia – night blindness – that it’s important to stay on the safe side.
Here are a couple of final things to keep in mind, just to round it off.
- The hours of dawn and dusk are among the most difficult times to drive. In the twilight, our eyes are continually adapting to the change of light.
- Only drive when well-rested. Make a point of stopping for at least 15 minutes every two hours to give your body a break. Do some jumping jacks to wake your body up.
- If you feel your eyes growing heavy, your body growing stiff, your reactions slowing or if you find yourself constantly yawning or drifting all over the road, it’s time to pull over for a little bit. Get a cup of coffee and stretch your legs.
- Go for an eye check-up at least every three years to keep your vision healthy.
WATCH: Volvo Engineers Use Gaming To Develop Safer Cars
Volvo Cars engineers call it “the ultimate driving simulator”, but its not just an excuse for them to indulge their inner basement gamer.
Volvo Cars engineers call it “the ultimate driving simulator”, but its not just an excuse for them to indulge their inner basement gamer.
Instead, the Swedish automaker has developed a ground-breaking mixed-reality simulator which it uses to make new strides in safety and autonomous driving technology.
Using cutting-edge technology from the leading real-time 3D development platform Unity and Finnish virtual and mixed reality experts Varjo, the simulator involves driving a real car on real roads.
It combines life-like, high definition 3D graphics, an augmented reality headset, and a full-body Teslasuit that provides haptic feedback from a virtual world, while also monitoring bodily reactions.
This combination of software and hardware allows Volvo Cars engineers to endlessly simulate traffic scenarios on a real test track road while using a real car, all in total safety.
Engineers can gain important insights on the interaction between people and the car for development of new safety, driver assistance and autonomous driving features.
Spikes on the Road: A Sharp Edge to Driving
Here’s what you need to know about the latest threat to road users.
Various reports have emerged recently where criminals throw spikes across the road to immobilise and rob motorists. This new tactic seems to be most prevalent on the N4 highway towards Eastern Pretoria, making it the latest threat to the lives and property of road users.
The nature of the crime, makes it difficult to completely safeguard oneself from the criminals however, there are a few tips that can assist motorists.
If you are driving on any highway at night:
- Ideally, ensure you are off the highway before traffic quietens dramatically.
- Avoid driving over anything in the road including plastic bags as spikes can be concealed in these.
- If there is another vehicle present, drive six seconds or more behind so their driving style can alert you should anything be amiss.
- If the circumstances allow, travel straddling two lanes as it may help you miss spikes being placed in the lane.
- When passing under a bridge, change lanes just before you pass.
- Reduce your speed in order to increase your chances of seeing obstacles on the road.
- If you spot an obstacle before you reach it, move into the emergency lane or onto the grass if that section of the highway allows for it.
- If you do hit a spike, reduce your speed to approximately 40km/h and continue drivingto the nearest place of safety.
- If you do not make it to a place of safety but do obtain some distance between yourself and the criminals, get out of your car and find a place to conceal yourself. Do not panic or engage with the criminals.
- In addition to spikes, criminals also use concrete lintels. If you cannot avoid them, slow down and carefully drive over them.
- Once you have safely moved past the spikes, contact authorities to prevent any other motorists falling victim.
Source: MasterDrive
WATCH: How to Safely Overtake Trucks
Some drivers seem to adopt a ‘Tata ma chance” attitude when it comes to general road safety, including overtaking trucks which usually does not end well for those who miscalculate their ability to do so safely.
With the ever-increasing number of trucks on our roads, there is a growing need for motorists to remember the basics of driving safely around these long-wheelers.
Done incorrectly, overtaking a long truck can be dangerous because, at times, the rear trailer can obstruct a driver’s view of the road ahead. Also, even when fully loaded and weighing anything from 10 to 60 tons, long trucks tend to swerve from side to side within their lane or cross over into another lane; making overtaking unnerving and dangerous.
This video – courtesy of Arrive Alive – offers a safe demonstration that may help remind us how we can all safely share the road with trucks.
Think Safety Even During the Holidays: Part 1
With the end of 2020 comes a well-earned break after a long and extremely difficult year. In the first installment of our 3-part holiday driving series, we focus on the importance of driver attitude.
With the end of the year comes a well-earned break after a long and extremely difficult year. Typically, there’s a lot of traveling during this period. In keeping with Continental’s Vision Zero strategy that aims to reduce and eventually eliminate road traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities, we encourage all motorists and their families to play an active role in road safety this Festive Season.
One of the most importance elements of road safety is the driver and his or her attitude when behind the wheel. Follow these basics of safe holiday driving:
- Rest Before You Drive: Have a good night’s rest before heading on any long journey. Around eight hours of sleep is ideal.
- Don’t Drink and Drive: Drunk driving is a major contributing factor in road accidents and deaths in South Africa. Consuming just one or two drinks may put you over the legal limit. It’s simple: if you drink, don’t drive. And if you’re driving, be responsible and don’t drink!
- Don’t Drive Distracted: Using a phone while driving has rapidly become one of the biggest causes of accidents around the world, and is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Use a Bluetooth car kit if necessary, and keep your eyes on the road!
- Take A Break Every Two Hours: Take regular breaks throughout your trip, stopping approximately every two hours. Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of accidents – so if you’re tired, stop to change drivers or have a rest.
- Safety Belts: Safety belts must be worn by everyone in the car (both front and rear occupants), at all times. It’s your primary safety device, so don’t take chances! Young children should be strapped into an age-appropriate baby seat or a booster seat.
- Speed: Stick to the stipulated speed limits throughout your journey. Speed limits are set with your safety in mind, as well as that of fellow motorists and pedestrians. Rather take it easy and enjoy the journey!
- Following Distances: Maintain a 3-second following distance from the vehicle ahead, which gives you space to slow down or stop if necessary. If visibility is reduced due to rain or mist, or when driving at night, increase the gap to 6 seconds.
- Keep Left, Pass Right: The age-old rule of driving remains an important one, to ensure the smoothest possible flow of traffic, and to reduce congestion and frustration in traffic. Stick to the left lane, and use the right lane for passing manouevres.
- Emergency Access: If there’s an accident ahead, keep the shoulder of the road clear so that emergency vehicles can make their way to the scene as soon as possible. Clogging the entire road only leads to further delays – both for the accident victims who may need critical medical care (you never know, it could be your family or friends), and for all of the affected road users.
Get a grip and keep BOTH hands on the steering wheel
Because steering looks so simple many drivers become blasé about it’s importance, yet many fatal head-on collisions can be attributed to the driver’s inability to steer safely. Vuyi Mpofu shares a few tips on how to stay safe behind the wheel.
Steering a vehicle quite literally lies in the hands of the driver. The position of your hands on the steering wheel is of the utmost importance for safe driving and is especially critical when the driver has to respond to an emergency situation. You just never know when an emergency may arise and if your hands are not properly positioned on the wheel it could spell disaster.
For example, say you are driving down the road and a child runs out in front of you. Your immediate reaction would most likely be to swerve in order to avoid hitting the child. Now, should you be ‘steering; the wheel with your knees or casually have just one hand lightly holding the wheel, it will be impossible for you to execute a safe and timeous avoidance manourver because by the time your mind registers the danger and you place both hands onto the wheel, you could already have run over the child or swerved so harshly that you lose control of the car.
In South Africa where 30-40% of road fatalities are pedestrian deaths, it is vital to be drive with a sense of preparedeness at all times. Accidents can happen in milliseconds and it is your duty as a responsible motorist to be prepared for any eventuality.
Here are a few more tips to help keep you steer safely:
- Always keep your eyes on the road, and hands-on the wheel.
- Do not drive distracted
- Hold the wheel with both hands so that you have as much control of the vehicle as possible. This also allows you to be ready to negotiate split-second emergencies.
- Keep your grip firm bur do not clench it too tensely. Keeping a death grip on the steering wheel will lead to prematurely tired arms and stiff hands leading to delayed responsive action in the event of an emergency.
- When turn or cornering, avoid crossing your arms over one another.
- Hold the steering wheel at the 10-and-2 o’clock position or the 9-and-3 o’clock position. Picture the steering wheel as an analogue clock face with 12 o’clock as the apex of the wheel. With your left hand, hold the wheel at either the 9 or 10 o’clock position and hold the other side of the steering wheel at either the 3 or 2 o’clock position with your right hand.
- 10-and-2 is better suited for older cars or any others with larger steering wheels and no power steering.
- 9-and-3 has become the new norm for modern cars equipped with power steering, smaller steering wheels, and airbags.
- Mind your thumbs. While driving on paved roads, hold the wheel with your thumbs hooked around the steering wheel. If you turn off-road, them along the steering wheel’s rim, as if you were giving two thumbs-up.
- Hooking your thumbs under the rim while driving off-road could set you up for injury. Your tyres could strike obstacles hard enough to jolt the steering wheel in your hand.
- If you are driving on a paved road with your hands at 9-and-3, nestle your thumbs along the wheel’s spokes where they meet the rim.
If you suspect that your vehicle is not steering 100% the manner it should, consult an expert as soon as possible.
10 Tips for driving safely in the rain
Driving safely in wet weather requires an adjustment in your driving style. Here are our top-ten tips for minimising the risk of having an accident.
- Slow down: You are more likely to have better control of your vehicle when you drive at a slower-than-usual pace. Also, reducing your speed gives you time to react in the event of any eventuality such as another car losing control.
- Avoid large pools of water: When possible, avoid driving through large bodies of water as they could be covering potholes. Rather, opt to drive slowly at the shallowest part of the water (edge of the puddle) reduce your speed and drive cautiously.
- Allow for extra travelling time: Plan ahead, be patient and prepare to arrive at your destination later than usual. Chances are that there will be a lot of slow moving traffic along your route.
- Brake sooner and with less pressure: Gently braking reduces the chance of your tyres skidding while braking sooner allows for a longer stopping distance thereby minimising your chances of rear ending the vehicle ahead of yours.
- Increase your following distance: The more space you have between your car and the one you are following the safer you are. Keeping a safe following distance is good practice even when driving in good weather.
- Demist your windows and windscreen, using your demister function and not a piece of cloth, your sleeve or tissue! Switch on the air con as this will help clear the fog quickly.
- Turn on your headlights: This increases your visibility to other motorists but can be dangerous if you use your high beams. Switching your headlights to ‘bright’ could blind other motorists as the extra light is likely to bounce off the water droplets, causing a distraction to on coming traffic.
- Give trucks a wide berth: As a general rule, always pass large vehicles as quickly as possible. In wet weather though, the spray from their tyres can make it extremely difficult to see which is why passing them as soon as possible or only when absolutely necessary is imperative.
- Don’t cross running water: Not only could the water be deeper than you think but it could be flowing faster than the eye can see. Attempting to drive through flowing water could result in your car being swept away thereby endangering the lives of everyone in it.
- Pull over if visibility is low: If the downpour is so heavy that you can’t see ahead of you, pull over in a safe spot and wait it out. Remember to turn on your emergency lights so you are more visible to other motorists.
The Golden Decree For Navigating A Traffic Circle
There are 2 types of circular intersections in South Africa: traffic circles and mini-circles. This article only refers to traffic circles.
Traffic circles are sometimes referred to as roundabouts and are designed to allow traffic to flow easily and quickly. That being said there is a lot of confusion about how to navigate safely around them, but once you know and understand the rules that govern traffic circles, you’ll breeze happily through them.
- To turn left (taking the first exit / 9 o’clock):
- Use the extreme left-hand lane when approaching the circle.
- Signal to the left and turn left when safe to do so.
- To continue straight (taking the second exit / 12 o’clock)
- Select the left hand lane (unless road signs indicate otherwise) as you approach the circle.
- Enter the circle when it is safe to do so.
- Pass the first exit and immediately signal left to indicate that you will be leaving the circle at the next exit.
- To turn right (take the third exit / 3 o’clock):
- Select the right hand lane (unless otherwise instructed by a road sign) as you approach the circle.
- Enter the circle when safe to do so and travel around it.
- Signal to the left only after you have passed the second exit.
- Make sure there isn’t another vehicle entering the circle to your left (usually at the second exit) as you point your car towards your desired exit.
