Six easy guidelines for safe driving

DECEMBER is a joyous time of year, a time to celebrate the successes or put to rest the disappointments of the past year and to unwind and recharge for the year ahead.

It is also when people take to the roads en masse to visit family, go on holiday and get away from it all.

With all this extra volume on the roads, Tiger Wheel & Tyre is cautioning motorists to take it easy out there and to follow some basic guidelines to ensure your safety on the road:

• Manners matter:

Indicate early, drive smoothly, overtake only when it is safe to do so, brake early and show gratitude to other courteous drivers, while resisting the urge to run discourteous drivers off the road and teach them manners.

• Stay alert and awake:

Do not get behind the wheel if you are drowsy. Leaving at 03:00 to avoid the traffic may seem like a good idea, but if you have had insufficient sleep and your passengers are dozing off instead of interacting with and helping you to stay awake, it can be the worst idea in the world.

• Keep your distance:

Always maintain at least a three second gap from the car ahead. A following distance is often mistaken for a gap to slot into by other drivers. If that happens, take a deep breath and fall back another three seconds. Getting annoyed will not help, but getting out the way will. If it is raining or dark outside, double the gap to six seconds.

• Anticipate and compensate:

Yes, there are many incompetent drivers out there. You can’t change that, but you can minimise their effect on you by anticipating their next move.

If someone shows a penchant for weaing in and out of traffic, fall back and let the moving missile get out of your driving space. Also, do not rely on the car ahead of you for all your driving cues. Look to see what cars further ahead are doing. If they are braking, slow down.

• Enjoy the journey:

Instead of trying to set a land-speed record, stop every two hours to stretch your legs instead. If you are travelling with passengers and especially with small children, plan frequent stops for everyone to get some air, enjoy the scenery and to work off steam.

It may take longer to get there, but when you do you will be relaxed and ready to roll.

• Tick the checklist:

Before you start your journey, make sure your car’s fluids are all topped up, all hoses and belts are intact and properly attached and that your tyres and spare tyre are in good shape and inflated to the correct pressures.