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Tips and Education

Drivers

When Driving 'Be SMART'

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.

  • 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
  • Always be caution about the blind spots. Signal early before changing lanes. Make a shoulder check and look carefully before changing lanes.
  • 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 headlamps during the hours of darkness and in poor visibility condition. Where a system of street lights is in operation or in the face of approaching traffic, the lighted headlamps must be dipped.
  • Use the vehicle hazard light correctly.
  • Do not press horns unless in dangerous situations.
  • Obey the direction of a police officer.
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