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5 Basic tips to driving safely this new year

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This new year, let’s practise safe driving to keep the road safe not only for you but for everyone else. According to a report, traffic accidents that result in injuries or fatalities have fallen by more than 30 per cent in the first half of 2020. There were 2,565 such accidents recorded from January to June last year, down from the 2019 corresponding figure of 3,832. This, of course, was largely due to the nationwide Circuit Breaker initiative that has restricted movements of the country and caused a drop in traffic on the road.

Naturally, we rejoice at the number of lower traffic accidents! However, the lack of traffic is seemingly enticing to motorists who enjoy the high speeds. Speeding violations have increased by 5.2%. There were 94,359 speeding violations in the first six months of 2020, up from 89,718 in 2019. As the country’s Covid-19 situation is gradually improving, the government has eased its restrictions and allowed us to return to “normal”. Now that we can finally take our cars out for a spin, it is imperative for us to not throw caution to the wind and remind ourselves to practise safe driving.

1) Eyes on the road

The first important rule of safe driving is to be focused—eyes on the road no matter what. Distractions such as text messages, a toddler crying or chatting with your friends and family might seem harmless at first glance, but they can cause you to take your eyes off the road. Avoid putting yourself and your passengers in danger by practising these tips:

1. Put your phone on silent while driving, and if possible, put it out of sight.

2. Avoid having a conversation with your passengers until you stop at a traffic light.

3. No eating or drinking while driving.

Remember that when you are on the road, you are also responsible for the safety of other drivers, motorists and pedestrians. The mildest distractions that cause you to take your eyes off the road for even a split second can spell doom, which is why you need to always stay alert when driving and be aware of your surroundings.

2) Follow the speed limits

As mentioned earlier, the lack of traffic on the road has caused many motorists to ignore the standard speed limit. To be a good driver who respects their own life and others on the road, you must adhere to the speed limits in your area. Always be on a lookout for speed limit signs and slow down when you are driving nearby schools or pedestrian-heavy areas. Bear in mind, it is a speed limit and not the recommended speed. Adjust your speed appropriately such as if you are stuck in slow-moving traffic or if the weather is rough. Understandably, you might be in a rush to your destination, but never sacrifice safety for speed. A good driver would always prioritise the safety of others before their agenda.

3) Are you feeling well?

We are not just talking about drunk driving. If you just finished a long, exhausting day at work and could barely keep your eyes wide open, avoid driving. You may think a little drowsiness and the occasional yawns would not impair your driving, but the truth is, driver fatigue is no different from drunk driving.

If you are tired, your reaction time is severely slowed and it will affect your driving performance. Similarly, if you are out drinking with a couple of friends, do yourself and others a favour and order an uber or ask a sober friend to drive. If you are caught drunk driving in Singapore, the penalty is a fine of not less than S$2,000 (up to S$10,000) or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both for first-time offenders. While for second-time or subsequent offenders, jail is compulsory. The jail penalty is up to 2 years with a fine of not less than S$5,000 and not more than S$20,000. You would even be disqualified from driving for a minimum of 5 years. With those heavy punishments in mind, ensure that you are mentally and physically fit before you take the wheel!

4) Be patient

Dangerous driving such as cutting in lanes, weaving in and out of traffic and violating traffic signals is not only dangerous but it could land you in serious trouble with the law and even leave you with jail time. Practising patience on the road and giving way to others can help avoid unnecessary confrontation with other drivers too. Aggressive driving and road rage is unfortunately common in Singapore, given that we live in a high-pace city that requires us to always be on the move. However, this could be rectified by driving patiently and practising kindness on the road such as occasional lane giving or even turning your signal light on before swapping to a different lane.

5) Regular checking

When was the last time you serviced your car? If you want your car to last long and avoid costly repairs, regular maintenance of your vehicle is extremely crucial. That means having experts to check every nook and cranny of your car—from transmission fluid, brake and power steering fluid, to coolant and car battery. No matter how good of a driver you are, if your car is not in a good condition, you could potentially be a hazard to other drivers on the road. Be it from engine failure while you are driving in the middle of a highway, damaged windscreen during pouring rain, or a flat tyre that affects your steering and handling of your car, routine maintenance is one of the most effective ways to practise safe driving as a good driver relies heavily on their car’s condition.

It takes a lot of mindful practices to be a good driver. Signalling, giving way to other cars and observing the speed limit, all of these come naturally to drivers over time. So start practising safe driving by applying these 5 simple tips every time you take your car out for a spin! Practice makes perfect.

With more than 12 years of automotive industry experience, Carfeels continue to provide first-class car maintenance services and performance tuning. If your car is not fit to be on the road and is due for a service, book an appointment with us now!

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