How To Overtake Safely

A driver may want to overtake if he catches up with the vehicle ahead of him. Overtaking cannot be avoided at certain times due to the presence of slower vehicles on the road. When overtaking is done wrongly, it can be dangerous and can lead to road traffic accident. To overtake safely, you must take into consideration certain factors before and when overtaking. The following tips can help to overtake on the road safely.

• Check to ensure that the road is clear and then look at your mirror to make sure that no vehicle is trying to overtake from behind.

• Keep a reasonable distance between your car and the vehicle you are about to overtake. In other words, don’t drive too close or too far from the vehicle ahead. Driving too close can obscure what is in front of the vehicle which can be dangerous. On the other hand driving too far from the vehicle ahead before overtaking may make you miss your chance of overtaking which can lead to road accident.

• Hold the steering wheel of your car with your too hands.

• Ensure you give enough warnings to the driver of the vehicle ahead before overtaking. You can do this by pressing the horn or flash the light of your car.

• Before returning back to your original lane, ensure that there is enough distance between your car and the vehicle you have overtaken. You can use your mirror to check this.

• Don’t follow a vehicle that is overtaking or in the process of overtaking other vehicle as it can be very dangerous.

How To Make A Safe Turn While Driving

Safe turning is necessary to avoid road traffic accident. There are some requirements a driver must fulfill to have a safe turning during driving. Below are some of them.

• A driver must use signal indicator early and correctly before negotiating a turn. This makes your intention to turn and your direction known to other road users.

• Do not speed to the point or junction where you intend to make the turn. Slow down when approaching the point of turning.

• Ensure it is safe to turn before turning. Not checking properly can lead to road accident.

• Make good use of your mirror.

• Ensure your car is positioned correctly before negotiating a turn. Turning right has a different positioning from turning left.

• Observe carefully at road junctions before making a turn. Look left, then right, then left again before turning.

How To Negotiate A Right Turn Safely

Turning right is easier and less dangerous than turning left. However, if requires special care to achieve a successful right turning. The following tips can help you negotiate a right turn successfully.

• Start signaling from about 40 meters to the junction where you wish to make the turn and slow down.

• Move closer to the right

• Before making the turn, check both sides of the road and ensure it is safe before making the turn.

• Avoid turning wide. Keep to the right margin while turning.

How To Drive Through A Bump Safely

Bumps are like long-ridge material constructed on the road to prevent drivers from moving their vehicles at high speed. Bumps are provided in areas where people cross the road often such as roads close to or at school premises.
Some drivers drives at high speed even in places where there are road signs warning them of speeding. But, with bumps, the driver has no option but to slow down when he sees a bump. Follow the steps below to cross a bump safely.

• Slow down when approaching a bump by changing your gear to one.

• Release the clutch as soon as the front tyres of your car have climbed the bump. This is to enable the wheel to roll down smoothly.

• Repeat the steps above for the back tyres or wheels.

How To Drive Safely Up Hill

Driving up hill is different from driving down hill and driving on a level road. So, different techniques most be applied when driving on such roads. Driving up hill requires extra care so as to avoid road traffic accident. Follow the tips below to drive safely up hill.

• Avoid high speed when driving up hill.

• Ensure your vehicle is thoroughly examined before driving up hill. Focus on the brake and steering.

• Don’t follow closely a vehicle driving up hill. Ensure the vehicle ahead has succeeded in driving safely uphill before you start moving. Failure to do this may lead to road traffic accident as the vehicle ahead may roll down and hit the vehicle behind especially if the vehicle ahead is carrying heavy goods.

• Avoid overtaking when driving up hill as it is very unsafe to do so.

• If you must park your vehicle during the process of driving uphill probably as a result of emergencies, ensure you do so without posing threat to other road users. You can do this by turning the wheels to the left as far as possible to prevent it from rolling backwards in the traffic. Turn your wheels to the right if your country permit left lane drive.