Obeying the rules can keep death off our roads

Well, the end of the year is just around the corner and for a lot of us it signals a time of family, travel, relaxation and no work!

For others, such as our paramedic force, traffic police and emergency wards, it's probably the busiest time of the year.

As we all begin packing, and googling GPRS coordinates, let us make the work of the emergency services personnel a little easier by remembering a few basic rules of the road. The best way to prepare for a trip will always be to leave early and allow time to travel at a leisurely pace and within the speed limit. One of the causes of fatalities is that motorists become impatient and make poor decisions as a result of being in a hurry.

Head-on collisions rate high on the list of poor decisions, and motorists need to be aware of how to overtake safely. The basic K53 rules still apply, but so few of us seem to remember that we should only overtake when it is safe to do so.

The double solid white lines are there for a reason, and irrespective of how many years of driving experience a motorist has, a solid white line is a clear message that it is not safe to cross it.

Overtaking on a curve or up a hill is probably the most dangerous thing motorists do - both scenarios do not allow for adequate visibility.

If you are being overtaken, reduce your speed and let the other vehicle come past. Do not attempt to race or make it difficult for the car overtaking to pass you.

It is the responsibly of the ones doing the overtaking to ensure that they do so quickly. Too often motorists cut in too quickly ahead of the vehicle they have just overtaken, forcing the rear vehicle to brake in order to avoid rear-ending them.

Unfortunately, motorists also do this in front of trucks, without fully realising that trucks need an incredibly long stretch of road to stop. A fully loaded 18-22-wheel truck could weigh upwards of 56 ton and could need the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop.

Speaking of trucks, motorists need to realise that a truck driver has a few blind spots which literally make motorists invisible.

We have all experienced that moment of fear when, while passing a truck, it swerves into our lane then back into its own lane. I used to think it was a deliberate action on the part of a disgruntled truck driver, until I learnt it was what truckers call a rock-and-roll effect caused by turbulence and not the fault of the driver.

In fact, most truckers are as nervous about being overtaken as motorists should be about overtaking a truck. Motorists need to keep both hands on the wheel and as far right as possible when overtaking a truck. Another thing to remember, is that in wet weather the wheels of a truck cause spray as they rotate, hence use your wipers before and as you overtake a truck.

Speaking of driving in wet weather, make sure you check that your windshield wipers work properly and replace blades which are either damaged or brittle.

In the event that you drive during wet weather, avoid skidding by driving at much lower speeds than usual, but also avoid using the brakes whenever possible, especially if your car does not have ABS.

If your car does begin to hydroplane, keep calm and DO NOT brake or turn suddenly. Gently ease off the fuel pedal until the vehicle slows down enough for you to be able to control it.

We all know that rain reduces visibility, but like children we need to be constantly told to keep a safe following distance.

Rain makes the road slippery and if your tyre tread is not what it should be, your car will drive pretty much the same as you would if walking on banana skins. Apart from rain, watch out for fog and mist as we travel around the country.

The first thing to do when driving through a foggy stretch of road, is to slow down. Also make sure that your fog lights are on, the headlights are on low beam and your emergency lights are also on.

Do not use the bright function (high beam) of your headlights - no matter how low your visibility is.

Why, you ask? Well simply put, the vapours in the fog make the beam bounce back and, instead of providing greater visibility, it actually shortens your range of sight.

Keep as far left as possible to minimise possible oncoming dangers and use the markings on the side of the road to guide you, lest you go off the road altogether.

Use all of your five senses and not just eyesight alone. Your hearing will help guide you against unseen dangers. Turn off the music and roll down the window a little.

You will be able to hear what you cannot see and possibly assess the location of other vehicles. Use the car in front of you as a guide, as just following its lights could be of help.

Of course don't abandon your safety to the other driver and continue to use your own senses as your guide.

Remember that your every move could not only save your life, but that of those in traffic behind you.

Safe travels and happy holidays!