All About Summer Driving

Alcohol – Socialization is a new format during the summer months. BBQ and social events invariable involve alcohol. Make arrangements through a designated driver, family member, or taxi so that the temptation to drive even a short distance, is removed. Drinking and driving do not mix.

Blind Spot – Every road vehicle and road users has blind spots. Get to know where they are on your car and always consider those on other vehicles, especially large trucks. Remember, if you can see their mirrors – they can see you. In the open road and on dual carriageways, do not sit in the blind spot of another vehicle, where you can travel on their back, but out of reach of their mirrors. If they move there is little chance of avoiding a collision, simply because you are too close to each other laterally. Always look for the motorcyclist in your blind spot.

Collision Avoidance – With the vast majority of collisions occur due to pilot error, the burden is on us not to go where angels fear to tread. Take a good position in the traffic flow at junctions, roundabouts and corners and negotiating bends. Keep your concentration on your driving, especially towards the end of travel where it is easy to go the distance you plan ahead. Turn off your concentration when you turn off the ignition.

Defensive Driving – Invest in an advanced driving program that will realign your conduct and update your standard and beyond your driving test the local government. The skills associated with advanced driving are built on a systematic analysis of the road, weather and traffic, using good anticipation, Sound Judgement of Speed ​​and Distance combined with good observation. There is no burden to carry.

Eyes and ears Exam – If you can not see – you can not respond – even to your hearing. If you have not had an eye check in the last two years, will get one. You may be the last person to realize that you need glasses. An eye test is quick and cheap to get rid of doubts and if you need improvement, there is an inexhaustible range of frames to suit your style. Always have a pair of quality sunglasses in your car. Do not necessarily buy a pair of fashion. You need a good polarized lens with UV filter. Also check your hearing and you can hear the sense of other dangers. If you work in a noisy environment or use a regular MP3 player, a hearing check is vital. Hearing loss is a strong musical depth real and serious problem.

First Aid Kit – Carry a first aid kit in your car. There are many available in pharmacies and organizations like the Automobile Association that are very appropriate, simple and uncomplicated. Keep disposable gloves and a mask if you come upon a person in need of emergency assistance.

You have an L-driver with you? – If you have a student driver with you and who want to use the opportunity to add their experience to keep them within their comfort zone existing before allowing them in traffic or difficult situations of the road. Worked properly, it can be very beneficial for the new driver. Mistake and now you have a question of relationship influence the rest of the trip.

Hydroplaning – Aquaplaning occurs when your tire is filled with standing water that can not get rid of because of the speed of the road. Usually this happens at 80kph and above. Keep your tires at the optimum. Check for Air Wear ‘n’ before you travel: watch for permanent water bodies and slow down. If you start to hydroplane ease off the accelerator, keep your direction straight and wait for the tires regain grip normal. Your brakes and steering do not work when the car was aquaplaning that the car is “floating” on a film of water. Only when the tires get rid of water from the return of grip.

Impaired – Impaired driving while covering the form drinking and driving, drugs leads to drowsy driving. If you take medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist if this medicine affects your ability to drive. Avoid self-medication, which you are taking prescription drugs before driving.

Jump – If you need to jump start your battery, follow the rules of your owner’s manual. Better yet – replace the battery because of the additional requirements of air conditioning and extra chargers / consoles.

Children – 12 and under should ride in the back seat of your car at the age appropriate restraint. Keep them hydrated, avoiding soft drinks and sugary foods to avoid disintegration of harmony in the car. Have stops where they can exercise and fresh air.

Lights – Let people know you are there always drive by on your low beams. Do not drive on the parking lights and fog lights front fog lights that are designed purely for fog, casting their light diffracted at the bottom left and right to pick up the eyes of cats, milestones or markers track . Make sure all lights are working 24 / 7 and if you travel in Europe, you must spare bulbs by law.

Maps – Plan your trip and put your cards with you. Cards will compliment your satellite navigation system. Gather knowledge of the areas outside your direct line to travel through your cards, so you do not think you are off course.

National Security Program – The Road Safety Authority, the Garda Siochana and Topaz are ongoing initiatives at national level where drivers are encouraged to rest while on a long journey. Driver Reviver their program should be adopted by all drivers.

Occupant Restraint – Seat belts and air bags systems work together to ensure the safety of occupants in a collision. All passengers must wear seat belts at all times. Children must be restrained in approved seats / boosters appropriate to their size. The location and function of your car airbag system. Never put a child under 12 in the front passenger seat. If the air bag deployment, they can be seriously injured.

Telephones – Mobile phones are an integral part of our lives. On long trips, they can be a lifesaver for you or others you arrive. If your car does not have Bluetooth as standard, you should buy a headset to use your phone hands free. Do not make long conversations on your phone. It is best to take a rest area and make a call. Make sure you have a car charger.

Quiet – Set your heating and ventilation to create a comfortable environment for everyone inside. Children can enjoy DVDs, game consoles, MP3 and books to keep the mood of your car quiet and distraction free to take you uninterrupted.

Rest Stop – integrated into your course according to the needs of you and your passengers. Choose areas where you can enjoy rest rooms, food, cheap and fresh air. Try to avoid engaging in heavy meals, soft drinks and loading sugar hits very young children, if not the next step of your journey will be far from relaxed.

Smart Car – The modern car has many systems of active and passive safety. These systems work every time you start your car and follow the different aspects of the behavior of cars. If any of these surveillance systems to detect a change from the standard of the car they will activate to restore the stability of cars and / or protect those inside. Read your owner’s manual or contact your Service Manager to get a feel of your cars systems. Drivers must know what the following letters refer to, ABS, EBD, ASR, TCS, SRS, WIPS, ESP. Current innovations and future include collision avoidance systems, drowsiness detection devices of the driver.

Two-second rule – Over 40% of all collisions are rear shunts. In built-up areas (50kph Speed ​​Limit) to take a position following three lengths back own vehicle to the vehicle ahead. Above 50kph, apply the rule of 2 seconds. Here you choose a stationary object or a shadow line / wheelie bin / along the road as a marker. When the vehicle ahead passes that object, count one thousand one, one thousand and two. You should not pass this subject before arriving at two. Double the guidelines in wet conditions.

Use common sense – the long trips require you to plan for your own driving ability, the needs of your passengers, the planned route in mixed traffic and weather conditions prevail. Build in some flexibility for that extra stop or overnight to minimize the risk to everyone.

Vehicle Emergency Kit – Keep in mind that you do not need to make any tool in the shed that will clutter your boot, add weight and increase your fuel consumption. Your emergency kit should include jumper cables, reflective jackets and warning triangle, a blanket, water and some non-perishable food, a flashlight, not to mention your mobile phone chargers.

Work Zones – Road construction, temporary or long-term are areas where construction workers and their service vehicles operate. Very often they are controlled by reduced speed limits, traffic lights or stop and go systems. Spare a thought for those workers that you think of speed thanks to their work area. How do you want to trade up your entry at this speed you mow the lawn?

X-Rated – Keep your cool, if another road user does the unexpected. Their indifference you may not be suitable for your immediate revenge. Road Rage is not acceptable behavior, where combatants use at high speed, 1500 kgs + devices. If another driver to engage in unreasonable conduct do not engage with them. It is best to get in and let them move forward rather than engage in a more serious question.

Yellow road signs – we call them advanced warning signs mean just because they warn of dangers road ahead. Look for the panel and look for dangers. Expertise you the rules of the road and road signs. If you have access to the current theory test DVD – test your knowledge.

Zzzzzz – Driving Fatigue and Dozy are serious questions that cause many road accidents. Divide your conduct, if possible, but not where you sleep and allow an L-driver to take over. Then you must remain in a supervisory role. Most collisions occur when people are alone, occurring during the hours late-night/early-morning. Some may also occur in the afternoon when a driver has had a heavy lunch and system diverts its energy to the digestive function is very little concentration, where the micro-sleep. Do not try to drive through it. Pull into a rest area: have two cups of coffee / tea: take a nap for 20 minutes and then take a short walk before you start your trip again. It is worth recalling that in a micro-sleep of a vehicle travels the length of Croke Park before the driver wakes up.