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Road safety
Stay safe when driving.
Article by : SpunOut.ie
With a bit of help from my driving instructor father, here are a few handy tips to keep safe and prepared during what can be a particularly dangerous time of year.
- Pedestrians are as big a part of road safety as cars, so light up! Wear something reflective if you’re out walking wear a high vision jacket, armbands or a reflective belt (none of which cost over a fiver) so you can be seen clearly during the dark nights (and afternoons). This is especially important if you live in rural or poorly lit areas.
- Irish weather is often wet and dull, so make sure to keep your headlights dipped at all times. It’s “defensive driving” and it’ll ensure that other drivers can see you well in advance, and you won’t be blinding anyone as you would with full lights on. Also make sure all your lights are working, that includes indicators and brake lights as well as headlights.
- Make sure your tyres are in good shape. 1.6mm is the minimum legal requirement of thread, anything below that might not only get you in trouble with the guards, but could seriously affect the handling of your car.
- Check under your bonnet. Dirty roads and persistent rain will make the efficiency of your windscreen wipers pretty important, so check to see you have enough screen wash in your window wash wipe bottle. Never put fairy liquid in the wipe though, as it’ll scum up your window. Check your anti-freeze level as well; it prevents the water in your engine from freezing, and keep an eye on your oil levels too.
- It’s imperative that you pay heed and read the road, drive according to the conditions. It’s a point that’s made all the time, but keep the mobile out of your hand, any infringement on your concentration isn’t worth the risk to you or anyone else.
- Irish roads aren’t built for putting pedal to the metal at the best of times, but at this time of year they’ll be out and out treacherous, so for the love of good take it easy. Give yourself more time to get where you need to go instead of rushing it and ending in a ditch somewhere. Also if you’re stuck in traffic, give the car in front a brave bit of space, two seconds of daylight between you and the other car is the standard, more in wet weather. This will, amongst other things, give you plenty of space in the case of having to make a sudden stop.
- Finally, the simple fact is that one drink impairs your judgement, so don’t even consider it.
Further Information:
Info on drink and drug driving
By: Paddy Duffy
