HIGHWAY SAFETY

Drive at a speed suitable to conditions speed kills

Don't combine drinking and driving alcohol and driving don't mix

Observe the road rules make driving more safe and pleasant for all road users

Concentrate at all times concentration assists anticipation

Exercise restraint when in doubt-hold back

Plan your moves deliberation eliminates uncertainty

Give proper signals clearly indicate your intentions at all times

Be alert at intersections most accidents happen in these areas

Know your vehicle control spells safety

Act courteously towards other road users safety and courtesy go hand in hand

Main Causes of Motor Accidents:

Keeping to the Left:

You must keep as close as practicable to the left of the road at all times.

Make certain you keep to the left of the centre line at bends or near the crest of a hill.

The keep left rule does not apply to a road which is marked into two or more lanes going in the same direction.

You must keep entirely within the marked lane - DO NOT straddle the line.

Always try to drive in the left lane. However, on the causeway and freeways select the lane which matches your exit.

Tailgating:

Tailgating means following too closely at the rear of another vehicle. It is a dangerous driving practice.

If the car in front stops, you may not be able to stop in time to avoid an accident.

It can also make the driver in front nervous and cause him to be involved in an accident.

correct incorrect

When following another vehicle in a line of traffic, travel at such a speed that you can stop in an emergency without colliding with the vehicle in front.

SUGGESTED MINIMUM FOLLOWING DISTANCES

Never follow at less than these suggested distances – approximately 1 car length per l5km/h - allow extra in poor weather; where the condition of the road is poor or if your vehicle's tyres and brakes are not in excellent condition.

WATCH FOR THE STOPLIGHT ON THE CAR IN FRONT

Stop-But can you?

50 Km/h, 3 car lengths.

65Km/h, 4 car lengths.

80 Km/h, 5 car lengths.

Most motorists under estimate the distance required to stop their vehicle.

REACTION DISTANCE

BRAKING DISTANCE

STOPPING DISTANCE

REACTION DISTANCE

Reaction distance is the distance travelled during the time interval between seeing an emergency and applying the brakes. For an alert driver this reaction time interval is at least one second. It will be longer if the driver is not concentrating properly.

BRAKING DISTANCE

Braking distance is the distance travelled while the brakes are applied, before stopping.

STOPPING DISTANCE

Stopping distance is the total of the Reaction Distance and Braking Distance, i.e. the total distance needed to stop a car.

The table opposite shows the average stopping distance which an alert driver would obtain when driving a car which is in good condition on a dry sealed road.

REMEMBER

If you are not as alert as you should be

If your tyres or brakes are not in excellent condition

If the road is wet or the surface loose.

These distances could be more than doubled

Km/h

METERS TRAVELLED PER

SECOND 8m 5m30 8 13m

11m 9m REACTRION DISTANCE

40 11 20m

13m 15m BRAKING DISTANCE

50 13 28m

16m 21m STOPPING DISTANCE

60 16 37m

19m 29m

70 19 48m

22m 38m

80 22 60m

25m 47m

90 25 72m

28m 60m

100 28 88m

31m 73m

110 31 104m

Reaction time of at least one second applies to an alert driver & has been used in the above table.

Turning:

SIGNAL AT LEAST 30 METRES BEFORE YOU TURN

At intersections look out for pedestrians, especially children, crossing the street. They have the right of way.

When you near an intersection or junction, and when you turn, ALWAYS move to the correct position on the roadway.

When in a lane marked with an arrow, you MUST move in the direction indicated by the arrow. Make certain you are in the correct lane to go the direction you want.

When your view of an intersection is obscured, it may not be safe to make a turn. large vehicles such as buses, trucks and vans may obscure your sight of approaching traffic. Turn only when your view is clear.

MAKING A LEFT TURN

Signal at least 30 meters before you turn;

Move close to the left hand side of the road before you turn;

Keep close to the left hand side of the road after you turn;

When lanes are marked, you can turn in any lane marked for left turns;

Turn only when safe to do so. Watch carefully for pedestrians and cyclists.

MAKING A RIGHT TURN

Signal at least 30 meters before you turn;

When lanes are not marked move as close to the left of the centerline as you can;

On a one way street turn from the right hand side of the road;

If lanes are marked, you can turn in any lane marked for right turns.

"U" TURNS

This diagram shows the correct way to make a right turn.

How to make a right turn where traffic lanes are marked.

You may make a "U" turn, if you can do so safely and without interfering with vehicles or pedestrians, at any place except:

on a freeway; in a one-way street; within 30 meters of any traffic control lights;between a "NO U TURN" sign and the far side of the next

intersection.TURNING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS

You may turn at traffic lights on the green signal. If turning right, give way to traffic coming straight ahead.

If there is a green arrow signal you may turn in the direction of the arrow, even when the main signal is red.

Give way to pedestrians crossing with the lights.

Signals by Driver

You must signal what you are going to do before:

turning to the right or left;changing lanes; making a "U" turn; pulling out to overtake; pulling out from the kerb;diverging to the right or left; slowing down or stopping.

A turn signal should be given by flashing lights, "indicators", if you have them fitted. Your brake lights may signal that you are slowing down or stopping.

If you are moving signal at least 30 meters before starting to turn, changing lanes or overtaking.

Remember to turn off your indicator after you have completed your move.

If your vehicle is not fitted with indicators or brake lights you must give your signals by hand.

This signal means - I am about to slow down or to stop.

This signal means - I am going to turn right; or I am going to overtake a vehicle, or I am pulling out from the kerb.

Signals in Roundabouts

You must signal to show where you are going to leave the roundabout.

Put your left turn signal on at the letter S, approximately 90 degrees before you leave the roundabout.

OVERTAKINGif in doubt - HOLD BACK

Do not overtake unless you can do so safely. When in doubt - hold back.

HOW TO OVERTAKE

be sure the view ahead is clear for a safe distance. Allow yourself enough space to get back into line after overtaking

check behind for other traffic

signal at least 30 metres before pulling out

do not move back into line until you are well clear.

OVERTAKE ON THE RIGHT

When overtaking a vehicle travelling in the same direction, you MUST pass on the right except:

when directed by a Police Officer

where there are two or more lanes for vehicles travelling in the same direction or on a one way street, and you can overtake in safety on the left.

when a vehicle has signalled to turn right.

DO NOT OVERTAKE

any vehicle slowing or stopped to give way to pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing or children's crossing

any vehicle stopped at a railway crossing

a vehicle which has stopped at an intersection unless the driver signals what he is going to do clearly

on or nearing a blind bend, the crest of a hill or any place you will not be able to see ahead clearly while overtaking

at NO OVERTAKING lines. These are shown by a continuous (unbroken) line on YOUR side of the centre line, or by a double solid line. The only time a driver may cross the double lines is when he wishes to turn right, make a "U" turn, or when directed so by a Police Officer.

BEING OVERTAKEN

The vehicle which is overtaking has the right of way.

keep your vehicle as far to the left as possible.

do not speed up to try and prevent other drivers from passing you.

E.g., in the illustration above car A is not allowed to overtake car B, if this would cause him to cross the unbroken centre line.

Intersections:

Large numbers of crashes occur at intersections.

You must take extra care when driving through an intersection.

Always travel at a speed which will allow you to stop quickly in an emergency.

INTERSECTIONS WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Where traffic lanes are marked, use the correct lane for the direction you' wish to go.

You MUST NOT change lanes if they are marked with a continuous white line.

UNCONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS

An uncontrolled intersection is one that has no traffic lights, STOP or GIVE WAY signs, or a pointsman.

There is one basic rule which applies to all four way uncontrolled intersections (crossroads) GIVE WAY TO THE VEHICLE ON YOUR RIGHT.

If two vehicles approach an intersection and there is the risk of a collision, the driver who has the other driver on his right must give way.

When two vehicles approach an intersection from opposite directions the vehicle turning right must-give way to a vehicle turning left or going straight ahead.

In the following illustrations "A" may overtake “B"

BECAREFUL:- Do not assume that because you have the right of way, you will always receive it.

UNCONTROLLED THREE WAY INTERSECTIONS

All traffic on the terminating road must give way to All traffic traveling along or turning from the continuing road.

Note: In these illustrations “B" gives way.