Better late than never

“It is better to late Mr Driver than the late Mr Driver.” Remember that good old slogan and countless others designed to educate and humour drivers. The point, however, is that accidents don’t have much humour about them.

A good way to become a safe and trustworthy driver is to follow laid-down rules of safety and courtesy. You may just lose a few extra minutes of your time but you will rarely get into dangerous situations.

While driving in the city or on highways never change lanes without flashing your indicator lights. Show your fellow motorists that you wish to change lanes or take a turn, as the case may be. If, for any reason, your indicator lights are not working use hand signals.

Avoid using horns unduly in residential areas. Blasting your horns shows extreme annoyance with another motorist and is construed as bad manners in Western countries. Even if you feel your annoyance is justified use the horn only for short blasts. In any case do not use air-operated horns in cities or towns.

Avoid harsh braking in traffic conditions. If your vehicle brakes down use help and push the same to the corner of the road so as not to obstruct traffic. Use the hazard warning lights to indicate a brake-down.

Do not leave the keys hanging in the ignition switch if the driver of the vehicle is not in place — especially if children are in the vehicle. Always keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you to enable you to stop in time if urgent braking is required.

Ensure no object that you may be carrying is kept loose or unsecured. In an accident or in urgent braking the same may hurt your or some pedestrian. If the vehicle is parked ensure that the handbrake is drawn and the vehicle is in gear to avoid any untoward mishap.

Always ensure that you give right of way to an ambulance. Please understand that there may be a patient in the vehicle to whom even a minute’s difference would mean the difference between life and death. Also the same would apply in the case of the fire brigade.

While travelling in the city or on the highway avoid using the high beam of your headlights if other vehicles are approaching from the opposite side. Always ensure all indicator lights and the operating gear of the same is working. Pay attention to brake lights and headlights.

Do not use a mobile phone while driving your vehicle, as it is dangerous for yourself as well as others. Always obey traffic rules and signals — they are for the benefit of both you and your fellow motorists. Also, by obeying the rules, you will ensure safety and avoid confusion.