When driving along the road, there driver may need to make sudden and unexpected manoeuvres so as to avoid accidents or any imminent danger.
Emergency manoeuvres involves quick and efficient moves.
Safely performing evasive turns on the road
Evasive manoeuvre driving is important in getting out of situations of danger. Some of the skills that you should learn include making J-turns and U-turns.
Brake failure
• If your brake fails, try pumping the brake pedal to temporarily restore hydraulic brake pressure. If this does not work, apply the parking brake (hand brake) gently but firmly while holding the release button.
• Total brake failure is rare on modern vehicles but if your brakes fail and you manage to stop, do not drive again. Call for help from your mechanic.
Blowouts
In order to drive through a tyre blowout:
• Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.
• Do not slam on the brakes.
• Let your car slow down gradually.
• Pull to the side of the road once you have slowed to a safe speed.
• Activate your hazard lights.
If your wheel goes off the pavement
• Hold the steering firmly
• Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to slow down, avoid heavy braking.
• When the vehicle is under control, steer towards the pavement.
If your headlights go off
• Check the switch immediately
• If the lights remain off, keep to the left and bring your vehicle to a safe stop off the road.
• It is dangerous and illegal to drive at night without lights
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving is safe driving or cautious driving in cases where the driver needs to be more vigilant particularly in an environment that could cause danger. It goes beyond mastering the rules of the road and basic mechanical skills and is taught to experienced drivers.
Importance of defensive driving
• It allows you to be prepared to avoid accidents
• It allows you to provide more protection to yourself and/or passengers
• It is enables you to save lives in situations of danger
• It enables you to save money by limiting wear and tear to your motor vehicle and any unexpected damage
• It prepares you to act accordingly in adverse riding conditions
Defensive driving is important when in the following condition
• Adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog or windy. In these cases, the road surface may change and so you need to apply different techniques to avoid danger
• Different road conditions that may be difficult to manoeuvre such rough terrain, wet surface or sloping surfaces.
Defensive driving techniques
• Improving observation, anticipation and awareness consistent with the riding speed
• Applying sound judgement of speed and distance
• Don’t drive when you are tired, rest before any journey.
Emergency manoeuvres involves quick and efficient moves.
Safely performing evasive turns on the road
Evasive manoeuvre driving is important in getting out of situations of danger. Some of the skills that you should learn include making J-turns and U-turns.
Brake failure
• If your brake fails, try pumping the brake pedal to temporarily restore hydraulic brake pressure. If this does not work, apply the parking brake (hand brake) gently but firmly while holding the release button.
• Total brake failure is rare on modern vehicles but if your brakes fail and you manage to stop, do not drive again. Call for help from your mechanic.
Blowouts
In order to drive through a tyre blowout:
• Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.
• Do not slam on the brakes.
• Let your car slow down gradually.
• Pull to the side of the road once you have slowed to a safe speed.
• Activate your hazard lights.
If your wheel goes off the pavement
• Hold the steering firmly
• Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to slow down, avoid heavy braking.
• When the vehicle is under control, steer towards the pavement.
If your headlights go off
• Check the switch immediately
• If the lights remain off, keep to the left and bring your vehicle to a safe stop off the road.
• It is dangerous and illegal to drive at night without lights
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving is safe driving or cautious driving in cases where the driver needs to be more vigilant particularly in an environment that could cause danger. It goes beyond mastering the rules of the road and basic mechanical skills and is taught to experienced drivers.
Importance of defensive driving
• It allows you to be prepared to avoid accidents
• It allows you to provide more protection to yourself and/or passengers
• It is enables you to save lives in situations of danger
• It enables you to save money by limiting wear and tear to your motor vehicle and any unexpected damage
• It prepares you to act accordingly in adverse riding conditions
Defensive driving is important when in the following condition
• Adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog or windy. In these cases, the road surface may change and so you need to apply different techniques to avoid danger
• Different road conditions that may be difficult to manoeuvre such rough terrain, wet surface or sloping surfaces.
Defensive driving techniques
• Improving observation, anticipation and awareness consistent with the riding speed
• Applying sound judgement of speed and distance
• Don’t drive when you are tired, rest before any journey.
