December 2010 - When attaching “L” or “P” plates on the front window of your car be sure to place them away from the driver’s view to avoid creating a blind spot. The top left corner of the front window where the wipers don’t reach is often the best place. Think about where you position GPS navigators and reversing camera screens too because they also create blind spots. Fluffy dice, crystals, air fresheners and similar things hanging from the inside rear view mirror will also be a problem for good forward vision not to mention attracting the attention of the South Australian Police Department who are not amused by unnecessary restrictions to a driver’s view. Just think before attaching anything in the driver’s view, keeping safe, easy when you think about it. 

November 2010 - Zip merging can be at least frustrating but sometimes can be potentially dangerous when other drivers don’t know or choose to ignore their legal obligations.

When you are on a road where the traffic is merging from two lines to one line, you must give way to a vehicle on your left or right if any part of that vehicle is ahead of your vehicle.

Sounds easy when you read it but not so easy when other drivers are involved.

 Most drivers just force their way through, so try this technique, firstly keep a safe distance from the car in front while watching the other cars around you, if you are on the left of the road you should signal to merge to the right or if you are on the right side of the road you should signal to your left even when your side may appear to be still straight ahead, the rule sees both sides as equal. The other drivers usually will let you do your zip merge as you have taken control of the situation by letting the other drivers know with your signal what is going to happen and your action might jog their memory or conscience into complying with the law. Don’t forget to check your blind spot for any aggressive drivers trying to push in and if there is driver like this , just let them through and feel good about being a safe and forgiving driver, they might not know it but we do know good road manners never goes out of style!  

As you complete your merge remember to cancel the signal and be very careful to maintain a safe following distance because we now have the same amount of vehicles squeezing into half the number of lines.

October 2010 - Beware the dangers within……..Modern cars have become very safe mode of transport, however we mustn’t loose sight of the dangers within the car.

For example when we are travelling at 60 kms/hr everything within the car is also travelling at 60km/hr.  If we brake extremely hard for an emergency, or even worse we crash into another object our seatbelts and air bags can save us from serious injury.  Unfortunately, anything that is not restrained within the car (loose bottles, torches, handbags, unrestrained animals etc.) will travel through the cabin at the original 60 km/hr smashing into everything within the car before possibly exiting through a window.  Something as simple as a torch or drink bottle rolling under the brake peddle would stop you from using the brake effectively and being able to stop.

Consider storing loose objects in the boot for safety and secure animals with appropriate restraints available from your local pets shop or department store.

September 2010 – Most people are unsure about when or if to indicate when leaving a roundabout.

This is something that we should be aware of as the current penalty is 2 demerit points and the associated fine is approximately $240. The South Australian Handbook states: "At all times, you should signal with your indicators to let other drivers know your intentions. Immediately before leaving the roundabout (i.e. when passing the exit before your exit) you must signal with your left indicator, unless it is impracticable to do so. This applies to turning left and right or continuing straight ahead. This tells drivers waiting to enter the roundabout where you intend to exit. "

August 2010 - How often do we here people say after a crash “Where did he come from?......he came from no where……I didn’t see him “

Lets be fair about this, other drivers don’t come from “no where“, they came from where we weren’t looking so that’s why we didn’t see them.

Being able to see and being seen are steps we can take to make our driving safer.

At this time of year we often go to drive our cars early in the morning or late at night and find them covered in condensation due to the cold and damp air. Some drivers just get in and drive using the wipers to clear the front window on the outside and wiping a little “port hole “ on the inside of the front window in an effort to see where they are going while the mirrors and side windows are still misty on the outside and rapidly misting up on the inside. These drivers are only kidding themselves; they can not see enough to drive safely.

Try this approach; firstly secure the car with the hand brake and in neutral for a manual and hand brake and Park for an automatic car. Start the car as normal, switch on the rear demister, then turn the heater fan on and position the heater to demist the front window and switch the air conditioner on but on fresh NOT recycle. In this mode the A/C will deliver fresh and dry air that will quickly clear the dampness out of the car and constantly push warm and dry air through the cabin to keep the windows clear on the inside. Now put the headlights on.

Using a squeegee (available at little cost from the cheap shops) walk around the car wiping the windows and mirrors and taking the opportunity to check your lights are all working.

You can now start your journey with good vision, your motor will have a chance to warm a little and therefore is less likely to stall and by leaving your lights on you will have a better chance of being seen by those other drivers who are not smart enough to do what you have done.

We can now see and be seen, being safe is not really that hard.

July 2010 - Many drivers have problems with blind spots. Sometimes they are surprised when other drivers change lanes and run them off, or other drivers go to change lanes or turn at corners and are beeped or abused by drivers they didn’t even see, these occurrences are typical blind spot issues. Some drivers think that their vehicles don’t have blind spots and that their mirrors show everything around the car. Try this easy test, (in a safe location) firstly sit in your car and ensure your seating position is correct and adjust the mirrors to get the best view possible. Now ask a friend to walk slowly all the way around your car keeping about three metres away from the car while you watch them in your mirrors, there are places where you will be unable to see your friend. These places are blind spots.

To avoid problems when you are driving there are some easy steps you must take. Firstly, when travelling to the left or right of other traffic on the road ensure you can see the other driver’s eyes in their mirrors, if you can’t see their eyes just drop back until you can see their eyes. If you can see their eyes in their mirrors - they can see you - and they will be less likely to run you off when they change lanes and you will be driving more safely.

Another action you can build into your driving is to quickly check your own blind spot before changing direction or turning to ensure that your own Blind Spot is clear. Remember that if you change lanes and effect another vehicle, or turn and fail to give way or cause danger you would be breaking the rules and possibly causing a crash not to mention demerit points and fines.

By adding this simple technique to your driving, we can all make the roads safer for everyone to use.

June 2010 - The rear end crash is the most common crash on our roads. It is caused by inattention and following too close to the car in front.

Smart drivers keep three seconds back from the vehicle ahead, this allows the driver to read the road ahead and avoid any problems before they develop. When the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly for some reason, the driver with the three second gap will have plenty of time and space to easily avoid crashing into the car ahead. That’s very important because the way the law works, in simple terms is "You hit, You pay!" so avoid fines and demerit points and keep a three second gap. The method is easy, just watch the vehicle in front pass a reference point up ahead and as it passes start counting …..one thousand and one….one thousand and two …. one thousand and three…and so on, until you pass the same point. If you can count up to one thousand and three or more, you are far enough back to be safe. Be smart….. and be safe….it's simple.

May 2010 - Drivers are often unsure how they should use acceleration lanes.

Acceleration lanes are designed to allow traffic entering higher speed zone roads from lower speed roads (i.e. entering the freeway or expressways) to match their speed to the traffic on the faster road before joining that road.

Used correctly, acceleration lanes help to make our road network safe and efficient and isn’t that what all good drivers strive for every day?

DO’S - The correct procedure is to hold back in the acceleration lane until a suitable gap in the traffic on the road you intend to enter appears, we should then accelerate along the acceleration lane trying to match our speed with the gap in the traffic on the road we are entering. We should leave the acceleration lane by crossing the broken line at the end of the lane and blend into the gap in the traffic without causing the other vehicles to alter their speed or position or compromising their safety.

Each driver should enter as they get to the front of the line of cars waiting in the acceleration lane and enter as described above.

DON’TS - A driver should not drive up to the end of the acceleration lane and wait there for a gap because they would then have to accelerate from zero to the speed of the traffic on the actual road which could result in the faster traffic being slowed down and a Fail to Give Way situation occurring or possibly Driving Without Due Care, both offences attracting a fine and demerit points.

Drivers should never “push in” by crossing the unbroken line painted on the acceleration lane and jump into the gap ahead of the cars waiting at the front of the line for that gap.

Not only is this action illegal (crossing an unbroken line) but displays extremely bad manners and creates the potential for a crash to occur.

April 2010 – The modern bicycle is a fast machine with limited braking ability, so whenever turning left always check your blind spot before turning. Due to the narrow profile of bicycles, they can also be hidden by roof pillars of your car. Remember to move your head not just your eyes when making observations.

March 2010 - Almost one in five crashes happen at traffic lights. When approaching an intersection controlled by traffic lights, complete a 360º observation check before entering the intersection. Even when the lights have been green for some time, always check your mirrors, cover the brake and check all directions of traffic in case the lights change as you make your approach.

February 2010 - Remember to pull over off the road before answering your mobile phone.

January 2010 - Remember to ensure that all children and passengers have their seatbelts securely fastened before you set off in your car. There are large fines for not wearing a seatbelt and the driver is responsible for ensuring that all passengers are wearing a seat belt.

December 2009 - Fatigue is a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. When you are driving longer distances factor in stopping for breaks to rest, and take a co-driver where possible.

November 2009 - Driving with your headlights on low beam when in rural and remote areas during the day will make it easier for other vehicles to see you.

October 2009 - Keep your windsceen clean inside and out to ensure good visitility. Dirty windshields decrease visibility and increase reflection.