Ensure road safety by improving driving skills

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The first step is to change their attitude by having manners and following all the rules of the road. Motorists must:

• Keep left and pass right.
  
• Switch on their hazard lights and headlights in an emergency, while driving at a safe speed.
  
• Avoid driving recklessly by obeying the rules of the road.
  
• Do not drive in the emergency lane.
  
• Try to be tolerant and have patience on the road to avoid aggressive driving.

An effective way to avoid inattention to the road and recklessness is to engage in defensive driving and being more attentive on the road, especially to other motorists. Defensive driving is the act of creating and maintaining an understanding of the road, and any dangerous situations.

Primarily, it is important to be constantly aware and focused when driving, without being distracted by the radio, fellow passengers or cell phone.

Wet conditions

Driving in wet conditions can be hazardous to all motorists, and this risk increases the moment standing water is involved.

Apart from the obvious risk of the car's electronics becoming wet, there is also a high risk of the engine sucking in water or the car aquaplaning. Not only do motorists have to be careful of standing water, but also of flowing water, where there is a high risk of the car being carried off into deeper water.

The best advice one can give when meeting flood water is to slow down and take it easy. If the steering becomes unresponsive, motorists should slow right down to crawling speed. According to Arrive Alive, flowing water applies pressure to contact areas. The higher the speed the higher is the pressure. In the case of flowing water, pressure is not the problem here, but rather the danger of the car beginning to float, making it therefore almost impossible to accelerate and move forward.

Five important driving tips motorists should consider when roads are flooded:

• Avoid flood water, if possible.
  
• Motorists should avoid entering flood water that is moving or more than 10cm deep.
  
• Oncoming traffic should pass first, and then motorists can continue to drive slowly and steadily to avoid creating a bow wave. Brakes should be tested as soon as possible after leaving the water.
  
• Fast-moving water should always be avoided, especially when motorists approach a flooded bridge because they and their cars could easily be swept away.

If motorists do go through standing water or moving water that is less than 10cm deep, they should attempt to stay in the centre of the road where possible and creep through the water extremely slowly, preferably in first gear. To prevent water from entering the exhaust pipe, it is of utmost importance to keep the engine at high revs.

Sources:
Arrive Alive
Subaru