The horrors of the African traffic jungle

15 Jul, 2018 - 00:07 0 Views
The horrors of the African traffic jungle

The Sunday News

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Lovert Mafukure

Imported cars are coming from a concrete jungle right into the African jungle. They are fast because they were made for the concrete jungle but their speed and the African jungle do not quite fancy each other.

I’m really getting worried about the increasing number of accidents on our roads these days. It’s almost a routine now to see an accident or two on the way to or from work.

The number of cars on our roads is only going to increase and the sooner we embrace it the sooner we can deal with road carnage.

They say speed thrills but it kills, true as it may, it hasn’t hit many of us as profoundly as it should. It’s good to always drive at a safe speed.

I’m not here to impose a speed limit on anyone but safe speed probably is the kind of speed that gives you enough reaction time and stopping distance in the event that something happens.

Rush hour is called rush hour for a reason but we all need to have a defensive driver’s mind, its the only way out.

There are some simple road rules like keeping safe distance so you can be able to stop, respecting traffic lights and road signs.

Forget about all that safety rating stuff on cars! You are your air bag.

Cars have become too fast, too comfortable, too light and not too strong. They have become too fast, they tear to pieces in accidents; people are butchered like they are in a slaughter house.

It’s a sad story but it’s a war that can be won if drivers realise that driving is an everyday examination that you have to pass. All of us have to pass it.

On highways it’s just as bad. Fatigue is common on long drives. You may find yourself drifting into another zone where you are half sleeping and half awake then you lose concentration. It is advisable to pull off to the shoulder of the road as far to the left as you can and take a power nap. It’s better than sleeping on the wheel.

That also brings safety into question, times are hard and other opportunists take advantage of these rest stops to pounce on unsuspecting drivers so always be alert or stop at places where there’s a bit of a crowd or these truck stops.

There are a lot of dangerous drivers on our roads. There is no worse dangerous person than one who is oblivious of his own dangerousness.

The most dangerous people are the ones who think they know it all. Some of these are fancy fast car drivers, they think they own the roads. Yes, some cars are quick to overtake and keep up but what good does it do, if in all that you put innocent people’s lives at risk?

Some drivers need to learn how to overtake. It’s not just about overtaking but overtaking safely. It’s something you learn, it’s an art and it’s as simple as keeping a safe distance, reading the road ahead and going for a clean sweep if the road ahead is clear. It’s not about gambling or hoping there’s no oncoming traffic and cutting people up on blind rises and curves, the solid line is not to be crossed, it’s just as simple as that.

Respect blind rises, the sharp curves and uneven roads, they can easily throw you off course into those jungle battles you will not win.

Do not venture where you cannot see! It is or should be the golden rule of driving, it sounds like common sense but apparently not so common anymore. Buses full of people are the ones you will find doing the oddest of things on the roads.

We do not need any more disasters on our roads.

Simple things like putting some thought into the act of driving can save lives.

The last important thing about safety is the condition of your car. You are responsible for your car. Maintain it well. Keep your suspension fit for those long drives. Weak suspension makes it hard for stability and vehicle control. Do not speed if your car isn’t too fit, in fact do not speed at all. You may not be able to control it with those dips and bumps on our highways.

I will always stress the importance of tyres on any car. They have to be good enough to handle the pressures thrown at them by our rough terrains.

Above all, be courteous. A little polite gesture extended to other road users will go a long way. Sometimes road rage adds onto the statistics.

People drive carelessly, they do not respect others and eventually all we have is a bunch of grumpy drivers. Grumpy drivers do not make happy roads! Drive Safely, lets take it easy in this African Jungle! Happy Motoring.

Share with us your Road Horror stories on the road via email.
@Lovert116
Automart Used Spares Centre – Quality Used Japanese Spares/+263 772 33 99 38 – [email protected]/Facebook: @automartusc

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