POWER check
When checking your vehicle, the POWER check is the easiest to
remember. This stands for Petrol, Oils, Water, Electric, and
Rubbers. Everything under each heading should be visually checked
at least once per week.
Two-second gap
At all times maintain a two-second gap from the vehicle ahead, no
matter what speed you are travelling. When it is raining, a foggy
night, or any combination of these, the gap should be doubled to
four seconds.
Safety gap between vehicles
When you stop behind another vehicle in a line of traffic, always
ensure you are able to clearly see the bottom of the vehicle's rear
tyres. This ensures you are not too close to the other vehicle.
Also, as you commence to move your two-second gap will already be
in place.
Keep left
Keep to the left at all times unless overtaking. The right hand
lane is for overtaking, or turning right. Use it for driving
straight through only if the left lane is obstructed by road works
or parked vehicles, or if it is not useable for any reason.
Indicate early
Where practical, use your indicators for at least 30 metres before
commencing to turn or change lanes, to tell other road users what
you will do.
Drive with anticipation
Expect the unexpected and be aware that we all make mistakes
sometimes. The other driver may forget to indicate, or to look to
see if you are near by. If you have anticipated this may happen, it
will not be a surprise.
We should be driving as a team, not as individuals, be prepared to
let the other driver in, rather than blocking them out.
Stop at lights or stop signs
When you stop at the lights or at a stop sign, your car should be
behind the thick stop line. There are some intersections, where if
you stop over the stop line and a truck or bus turns into the
street that you are leaving; it will collide with your
vehicle.
Plan ahead
Always plan well ahead. Your line of sight should travel parallel
to the road, not down onto it. This makes it easier for you to
prepare for anything that may happen long before you get
there.
Overtaking
Overtaking is probably one of the most dangerous manoeuvres a
driver can perform, especially on a two-way carriageway. Quite
often the vehicle you overtake is only travelling slightly slower
than you are. Make sure that you have enough room to go well past
the overtaken vehicle before you move back to the left. Don't cut
them off.
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS)
Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) prevent the wheels of a vehicle
from locking under emergency braking. They enable steering control
with the brakes fully operating, enhancing the drivers chances of
avoiding a hazard.
ABS does not necessarily stop a vehicle in a shorter distance than
ordinary brakes. If you drive a vehicle with ABS, still keep the
same two-second gap from the vehicle in front. ABS should only be
relied upon in an emergency braking situation.
Drive smoothly
Drive smoothly and make decisions early so that you can accelerate,
brake and change gears smoothly. It will make your vehicle last
longer, cost you less, and it is far more comfortable for your
passengers. Rough acceleration, braking, or steering, can easily
cause your car to skid.
Negotiating a curve
When you are negotiating a curve in the road, try to flatten the
curve out as much as you can. This will give you a better view
around the curve, a smoother path and it will decrease the
potential of the car commencing to skid. For a left curve, approach
as near as is safe to the right of your lane, when you can see
where the road straightens out ahead, gently move across to the
left of the lane and finish back in the middle of your lane. Use
the opposite sequence for a right curve.
Night driving
Night driving can be quite difficult. Oncoming vehicles' headlights
can dazzle you and you must keep alert to the lights and
reflectives of cyclists and motorcyclists. Pedestrians can be
impossible to see. Traffic lights can appear to blend in with
advertising signs.
Leave yourself more space from the car in front, as this will
create more time for you to be able to see what is ahead and
prepare for anything that may happen.
Driver courtesy
Be courteous and share the road:
Personal safety
While driving, take some personal safety precautions:
Park safely:
