The Sunday News
Lovert Mafukure
We really ought to change our behaviour on the roads. Our highways have become so dangerous it has really become a worrisome issue. It’s funny how all of a sudden you find Subarus hooked up on houses and Altezzas balancing on bridges. If it’s not that, it’s the popular Honda fit being a menace as usual going about its business of fetching people.
Whatever happened to being polite, giving way, respecting other road users? Maybe this economy made us all lose it.
Tips for highway driving
Personally having witnessed the need for fire extinguishers, triangles and reflective vests, I think they are good all road users. As much as we are harassed by the police for these things, they are essentially for our own good. These days there are cars that love heat and fire, cars that are just happy to burn like the Golf 4s. Maybe it’s something to do with them cheating emissions tests? It is good to keep these because they can save lives and property of course. The use of triangles to warm other motorists of your broken down car protects not just you but other road users especially at night when visibility is limited.
Safe Speed
Some clever person said speed thrills but it kills. It’s good to always drive at a safe speed. Im not here to import 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. It can be a burst tyre or it can be a cow or a stupid donkey wandering up about on the highway. You will need enough time to react and stop. If you cannot see the road ahead clearly then by all means reduce speed to a safer speed that gives you an advantage should there be any obstacles. Cars, buses or trucks do not negotiate well with obstacles, they always lose the battle. 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 it’s 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.
Be alert
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. 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.
Learn how to overtake properly
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 that 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 peoples 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.
Respect blind rises, the sharp curves and uneven roads. Give them enough respect because 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 in some instances it’s 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. Come to think of it, these accidents are also causing the cash crisis. As more cars are being lost to accidents, new ones have to be imported and that is adding to the import bill…hmm just a thought.
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 over speed if your car isn’t too fit. 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 crazy, they do not respect others and eventually all we have is a bunch of grumpy drivers. Grumpy drivers do not make happy roads! Drive Safe! Happy Motoring.
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