Fleet Tips

50 Tips for Safer Driving

Before you drive…

Every time you sit behind the wheel, are you sitting in a safe and comfortable position with the best possible vision and reach of pedals steering wheel and controls? Take a fresh look at your usual driving position.  Try these checks before commencing your journey:

• Your seat is in a near vertical position, with knees and elbows bent.  Pedals, steering wheel and controls can be operated without leaning forward, turning or over-stretching.
• You are at least 300mm from the steering wheel.  This is the minimum required for an airbag to function properly.
• Rear view and side mirrors have been adjusted so you have full vision without having to turn to see in them.
• You can see the entire control panel.
• Your seatbelt is securely fastened, laying low across the hips without being twisted. All other occupants of the vehicle are wearing appropriate restraints.

At the Wheel:

Be aware of other vehicles on the road, not just the one in front of you, and scan for likely hazards.  Anticipate what other drivers might (or might not) do and how you would respond to hazards.

• Check your distance from other vehicles.  You should be following at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front to allow for emergency stopping.  If conditions are wet or slippery or if visibility is reduced, this distance should be more.
• Drive within the speed limit at a speed appropriate to the conditions.  This may be below the posted speed limit in poor visibility or in heavy traffic.
• Unless you are turning or overtaking remain in the left lane to assist with traffic flow.
• Indicate your intention to turn or change lanes well in advance.  Check over your shoulder for the blind spot as well as checking your rear view and side mirrors.
• When changing lanes, adjust speed to merge smoothly with other traffic – make your move positively.
• Check at intersections for vehicles which may be travelling illegally through a red light across your lane.
• Weather conditions, the time of day and even the colour of your vehicle may affect its visibility.  If you are having difficulty seeing other vehicles, their view of you will also be reduced.
• Pedestrians and cyclists may be even harder to see in reduced visibility conditions.
• Have consideration for other motorists.
• It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone while driving.  If your phone rings, pull over when it is safe to do so before answering.  Statistics show that a person using a mobile phone while driving can have slower reactions than if they were over the blood alcohol limit.

Weather and Road Conditions:

• After a dry period, rain causes oil build up on the road to be very slippery.
• Braking distances are increased and grip reduced on wet or slippery roads, so reduce your speed and increase the distance between vehicles.
• Use dipped headlights to increase the visibility of your vehicle.
• Torrential rain will decrease visibility - pull over and wait for visibility to improve.
• Beware of large areas of water on the road where you cannot judge the actual depth.
• Use demist to keep windscreens clear.
• Use engine braking to reduce speed by changing to a low gear, especially in icy conditions.
• Remember that ABS brakes are less effective on dirt or gravel.
• In a front wheel drive vehicle, sudden acceleration can cause the front to lose grip, whereas in a rear wheel drive vehicle the rear can lose grip and cause the vehicle to spin.  

Driving at Night:

• Visibility of other road users can be severely reduced at night.  The glare of oncoming vehicles' lights may blind you.  Increasing the distance from the vehicle in front can allow more time to react to pedestrians, cyclists and poorly lit hazards.

 On a Long Trip:

• Keep the windscreen, headlights and brake lights clean of grime and bugs.  Make this part of your rest break routine.
• Keep children entertained with non-distracting activities – ensure they have adequate sleep the night before travelling.
• Watch out for other drivers who may be fatigued and driving dangerously
• Look for animals on the road, especially at dusk and dawn.
• Where there are overtaking lanes or on the freeway keep to the left lane unless you are overtaking.  Always indicate your intention to change lanes.

 Avoiding Fatigue:

• Get sufficient sleep the night before driving long distances.
• Avoid beginning a long journey late in the day or when you would normally be asleep - your concentration may be greatly reduced.
• Check whether your medication may affect your driving ability.
• Keep the temperature comfortable, with fresh air circulating.
• Take adequate rest breaks of at least 15 minutes every two hours.  Getting out of the vehicle and moving around will promote blood circulation and help keep you alert.
• Learn to recognise the signs of fatigue – these include drowsiness, yawning and sore eyes.  Fatigue reduces concentration in a similar way to drink driving.
• Keep alert by anticipating emergency scenarios and how you would react.
• Share the driving and check on each others alertness.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Remember fatigue can also occur on short journeys if you have not had adequate sleep and are driving when you would normally be asleep.
• If you are fatigued, do not drive.  You may be endangering the lives of your passengers and other road users.

 What to do in an Accident:

• Stop as soon as you can do so safely and call emergency services if necessary.
• Use headlights and hazard lights to warn other drivers.
• Post someone to warn and slow down oncoming traffic.
• Check out for hazards such as power lines down and flammable goods.
• Switch off the motors of vehicles involved in the accident.
• Don't smoke.
• Clear the road of broken glass and debris.
• If you are involved in the accident, exchange drivers' names and addresses, owners' names and registration numbers of other vehicles involved.

 Alcohol:

• The amount of alcohol a person can have and stay below the legal blood alcohol limit varies greatly depending on their weight and body fat and whether they have consumed food.  Generally men can have two standard drinks in the first hour and women can have one and then both can have one standard drink per hour.  It is better to totally avoid alcohol when driving.