The road can be a very dangerous place, accidents happen every single day and we must be vigilant at all times when we are behind the wheel. Safe driving in Australia requires everyone on the road to be conscious of standard safe driving practices. Driving safely doesn’t start when you turn on the ignition, it is a lifestyle that involves taking proper care of your vehicle! Let’s go over the guidelines that will help keep you and other drivers safe as you drive!
Your Parked Car – The old saying “Safety begins at home” is true for your car as well, in regards to how and where you park it! Ideally, your car would be securely parked in a locked garage, out of the elements and away from any possible thieves or vandals. if not a garage, then a car port with a roof over it would still be better than under the sky. Of course, not everyone has those options and so their cars have to be left out in the sun and exposed to the weather. You can still do things to help protect it from nature’s cruelty, fitted car window shades will keep the harmful rays of the sun from damaging the interior of your car, which can become as hot as an oven! Another thing you should have in place is some kind of theft deterrent like a car alarm. The mere sight of an anti-theft bar on the steering wheel will make most would-be car thieves walk away.
Perform A Vehicle Check Before You Go – Before you get in and drive off it’s very important to perform a basic vehicle check to avoid breakdowns and ensure you have a safe trip.
- Check Tyre Condition– Tyres are what come between you and your car and the road, so their good condition is vital. Be sure to check for adequate tread depth which ensures your car keeps a proper grip on the road, which is especially critical when driving under wet conditions. Next check for correct tyre pressure, which will ensure optimal performance while also giving you a safer ride!
- Brake Inspection– The brakes are your car’s most important safety feature, when you need to stop moving they do the job for you! Your brakes are important when driving in heavy traffic as well as out in the bush, you never know when a kangaroo is going to bounce out in front of you and you need to stop quickly! If the brakes feel soft or there is a delay when you step on them get them serviced right away!
- Check Fluid Levels – Just like your body needs blood to function, your car needs fluids to run properly. Be sure to perform regular checks of oil, coolant, brake, and windscreen fluids so you can keep your car running smoothly and safely.
- Check The Lights– Your car’s lights perform a number of critical functions, day and night! Your headlights allow you to see what’s ahead in darkness, and also let other cars know you are there, they should be kept on at all times, even in the daylight! Your signal and brake lights let other drivers know what you intend to do which avoids collisions. Inside your car you have dash lights behind your gauges that are needed to tell you how fast you are going, how much fuel you have, and alert you to engine trouble. Be sure that all of these are functioning correctly so you can maintain good visibility and communication on the road.
Keep A Well-Maintained Vehicle – The very heart of vehicle safety is regular maintenance. This is more than just about keeping your car running; it’s about making sure it’s safe for you to drive. Implementing a proactive approach to this is the key to preventing problems before they have a chance to arise, especially considering how vast and wild Australia’s roads can be, it could save you a long wait for help on a lonely outback road.
- Regular Servicing– Every vehicle comes with a recommended servicing schedule and it is in your best interests to adhere to it! Regular servicing, including filter replacements, oil and fluid changes, and system diagnostics, is essential to keeping your vehicle in top condition, which also makes it safe to drive.
- Replace Worn Out Parts– Nothing, no matter how well made it is, lasts forever, and wear and tear on your car is an inevitable fact of life. It’ very important that you replace worn out parts, especially critical components like the exhaust, tyres, suspension, and brakes! Once again, this is about more than maintaining your vehicle’s performance, it’s about ensuring your time driving out on the road is as safe as it can possibly be.
- Regular Washing– You may think that this hasn’t much to do with safety, but it does! Bugs, dust, oil, and grime collect on your headlights and windscreen, making it difficult to see, which is extremely dangerous! That same sticky crud will also make your car’s body rust and corrode over time, which can lead to breakdowns, and those are always a safety hazard!
Be Prepared For Emergencies – Before you set off, especially on a long cross-country trip, it’s mission-critical to make sure your car is truly ready for the journey ahead and you are prepared in the event that something should go wrong!
Emergency Kit – You simply must have an emergency kit in your vehicle, it is a non-negotiable safety item! Australia is big and the distances between towns can be incredibly long, so you should be prepared for the worst! Your kit should include a kit of essential tools so you can make minor repairs yourself and get to the next town for further help. You must also have a first-aid kit, a torch with functioning batteries and a set of spares, roadside hazard warning signals like cones and flares, and a set of battery jumper cables. Don’t forget a few bottles of water!
Being safe on the road begins with being properly prepared with a well-maintained car!
