Road Safety Tips & Tools > Drivers

When Driving 'Be SMART'
Be alert all the time
Obey traffic rules

Be courteous and be patient
Give way and follow lane discipline
Be considerate of other road users, in particular cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.
Avoid all bad driving behaviour/habit
Speeding : Number one killer!
 
  • Less time to react
  • Easy to lost control
  • Stopping distance further and stronger crash impact
  • Speed limits are to be followed with regard to the conditions on the road, e.g. Go slower in crowed roads and when making turns
Beware of Slippery Roads
 
  • Look out for oily and sandy roads in case of heavy downpours
    • reduce speed
    • maintain a longer following distance
    • turn on the vehicle headlights (dipped) if visibility is poor (that is required by law enacted on 2002-07-01
A safe system for driving
Well before you carry out any manoeuvre - moving off, turning left, turning right, changing lanes, slowing down, stopping, reversing, overtaking or performing any other movement - always carry out the following routine:
  • Think - you should think carefully what you want to do in good time.
  • Look - you should check if it is safe to do it by looking ahead, by looking behind in your mirror and looking all around.
  • Signal - when it is safe, signal what you intend to do. This signal must be correct, clear and given in plenty of time.
  • Look again - check that it is still safe to carry out or complete your manoeuvre.

Always use the think - look - signal- look again routine well in advance of every manoeuvre.
Signal early before overtaking, and check the blind spot. The driver should make a shoulder check and look carefully before overtake.
Follow the 2-second rule and keep an appropriate distance from vehicle in front to avoid collision.
Do not weave through traffic. Keep left unless overtaking.
Do not overtake unless you are sure you can do so without danger to others as well as yourself.
Ensure that there are no signs or markings banning overtaking when you overtake. The road and traffic conditions are appropriate and will not cause any hazard to other road users.
Not to be distracted on the road, by your passengers or by yourself.
Do not use handheld mobile phone/telecommunications equipment whilst driving. If you have to talk over the phone or to communicate, use a hand-free-kit. Keep your conversation short.
Use your direction indicators properly when making a turn/change lane/ overtake. Observe the traffic conditions both ahead and behind and demonstrate your intention to other road users before the actual manoeuvre. Remember to switch off the indicators after the manoeuvre.
Turn on the vehicle headlights (dipped unless on a road without lighting system and no approaching traffic) during the hours of darkness and in poor visibility condition. (This is required by law enacted on 2002-07-01). It is a wrong belief that this will dry out the car battery.
Use the vehicle hazard light correctly.
Do not press horns unnecessarily.
Obey the direction of a police officer.