Don’t be a crash test dummy

The Automobile Association (AA) has shared some advice for people looking to obtain their driver’s licence.

“As we have seen widely reported in the media, we all know how easy it is to buy a licence, but don’t even think of it,” the association cautioned. “[Car accidents] are one of the top causes of unnatural deaths and if you don’t get the right training before you venture out on the roads, your crash risk is extremely high.”

The AA said it was important for drivers to receive proper training and pass the driving test legitimately so that they are equipped with the necessary skills. According to the AA, driving schools are the best way to learn the skills needed.

“Pick a reputable driving school; look for one that has been in business for many years. Check online to see what others think of their service and ensure that your instructor has a current, valid instructor’s certificate, issued by the licensing authorities and that the instructor’s vehicle is clean, presentable and roadworthy,” the motoring body advised.

A driving school, which is a member of the Southern African Institute of Driving Instructors (Saidi), will give you extra peace of mind because Saidi members have access to additional training and updates to legislation.

The AA also advised learner drivers to change to a different driving school if they were not satisfied with the service.

“Driving is one of the most dangerous responsibilities you will have in your adult life, so make sure you learn from an expert who has your best interests at heart,” the AA stressed.

Once you have your driver’s licence, it’s easy to discard all that was taught at licence level and drive the way you please, but the AA advises against that type of thinking.

“The content of the driving test is only a framework of basic skills. Good drivers actively work on improving their skills throughout their driving career, by reading up on new developments in safety and technology and attending training courses.”

The association reminds motorists about the following three most important skills that are taught before the driving test:

• Always check your blind spot before manoeuvring; even in modern cars with blind spot monitoring systems, the car might not be able to alert you to a vehicle on a collision course with your own at a merge area or more than two lanes away. Checking your blind spot helps prevent many different kinds of crashes, including rollovers, sideswipes and loss of control, which could lead to heavy impacts with objects at the roadside, such as barriers or trees.
• Always maintain a following distance of at least two seconds, or longer in poor visibility or rainy weather. This gives you time to react to changes in the traffic and use your car’s safety systems to best advantage.
• Always drive at a sensible speed for the conditions, which can sometimes be lower than the speed limit. If you drive too fast for conditions, you won’t be able to stop or swerve in time. Inappropriately low speed can be just as dangerous, so make sure you don’t endanger other traffic by driving too slowly on high-speed roads such as freeways.

The AA said drivers who constantly improve their skills are less likely to have accidents.

“Better driving depends on knowledge. Make sure you improve your knowledge for as long as you drive,” the AA concluded.

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