The Driving Test

All drivers complain from time to time about bad driving from others on our roads. This is especially true from those of us who drive for a living. We spend more time on the road than the average motorist and subsequently witness more driving errors and dangerous situations. Many motorists feel that the standard of driving on our roads is deteriorating year on year.

However, have you ever considered how our roads and driving standards stack up against the rest of the world? I think you may be surprised!

According to a study carried out by- aneki.com

The world’s top 10 safest countries to drive in are:

1) San Marino
2) Malta
3) Uruguay
4) Singapore
5) Netherlands
6) Switzerland
7) Norway
8) Japan
9) Sweden
10) United Kingdom

As you can see the United Kingdom have made it into the top 10 safest roads. Is this good enough? Can this be improved?

We believe that all road deaths are preventable. This can only be achieved via a multi-pronged approach, fueled by significant investment. Road design is major contributing factor. Safety should always dominate the design of any new roads, over and above speed limits and convenience. Only with this zero tolerance to road deaths mentality can things improve significantly. Yes the Scottish government seem to be making strides towards this end with reducing the legal drink drive limit and plans to reduce urban speed limits throughout many major cities but more can be done. We believe that stricter policing will be the main factor in improving road safety.

So don’t complain when you see a speed camera- remember that lives are saved by such measures.

Over the past decade, governments around the world have shown a high commitment to reducing the number of collisions and casualties we see each year. One way of achieving that has been by promoting education about road safety, even from a very young age. This range of programmes is sometimes started from pre-school and continues until further education. The main goal is to ensure the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motor vehicles drivers –both now and later on in life. This way the idea of safely driving is embedded within us from a very young age. This attempt will not only reduce casualties but will also help acknowledge the risk of traffic offences. Here are smart strategies every driver should know, in order to protect themselves and others on the road: 1. Skidding Out of Control In many countries, rain is a common occurrence. That’s why this situation is realistic, as your car can easily skid on a wet surface, thus spinning out of control. In this situation, it’s important to take your foot off the gas, and then to very gently steer the car towards one point in the distance. The vital aspect to remember is to not over-steer or press the brakes violently, as this can cause a rollover and won’t stop you from skidding. Preventive Measures: Your driving should directly complement the weather conditions you are facing. If it’s raining, snowing, or icy, the best thing to do is slow down. Additionally, don’t underestimate speeding limits, especially during these weather conditions. 2. Fog Clouds Your View Certain weather conditions create fog which not only affect your visibility but rather create inadequate road conditions –wet and slippery. You need to drive slowly and use your fog lights, however never switch on your bright lights, as the light will ultimately be reflected back to you. Preventive Measures: Unless you’re caught in these conditions, don’t drive. It’s essential to reduce your speed and to open your windows to listen for traffic you are unable to see. 3. Tire blows on motorways Picture this scenario: you’re travelling to and from work each day, having to pass the motorway on both occasions. While happily going home, you hear a loud noise and what feels like you’re run over a speed bump. This is more or less how it feels to have your tire blowout. When you’re on a rural or urban road, this is more manageable. But what do you do when on the motorway? First of all, be mindful of maintaining control of your car, not trying to pinpoint where and what could have gone wrong. There is no need to look out the window or peak over the steering wheel. A common misconception is that you need to push hard on the brakes; however, this may spin you out of control –putting yourself and others in danger. The second thing to follow after regaining control is to hold the steering wheel with both hands, allowing the car to gain a […]