Staying safe on the road is every traveler’s dream and there are a few simple precautions one can follow. Getting behind the wheel of your rental car comes with lots of excitement, yet also it can be dangerous. Often drivers get distracted or affected by unpredictable weather conditions, a reason you must observe safety measures. In this article, we bring you a complete list of defensive driving tips to assist you in confidently driving around Ugandan roads with minimal risk of road accidents.
The advantage of adopting defensive driving technique is that you and the rest of your colleagues can also be safeguarded while on your journey to explore Uganda or any part of East Africa. Defensive driving means driving without having a preventable accident. It comes with a set of skills that guide drivers to anticipate and react to any potential hazards on the road. Practicing defensive driving techniques can help minimize the risk of accidents and keep you plus your colleagues safe. Here are the top defensive driving tips to make a safe self driver Uganda holiday.
Do not get distracted.
Always try as much as you can to avoid any distractions and focus on driving- this is one of the important tips and practices for defensive driving. There are many ways one can get distracted while he or she is behind the wheels and including engaging in conversations with passengers, using a mobile phone, adjusting the radio and attending to personal grooming, etc. Distractions often increase the risk of road accidents, as your mind gets diverted and you won’t be making appropriate decisions.
You can avoid any kind of distractions while on the road; these include putting your phone away, managing what is surrounding you, limiting any form of conversation, and being attentive and managing your music and navigation prior to hitting the road.
Stay Alert
Paying maximum attention to what surrounds you is key when driving and is one of the significant aspects any driver should take into consideration. The main areas of interest to keep in mind include speed limits, road signs, traffic signals and be mindful of other road users. When it comes to defensive driving, you must have good driving habits and always avoid dangerous situations.
Look ahead down the road
Always scan the road further ahead so as to identify any potential hazards and respond to them early enough. Looking beyond your immediate vicinity of the car allows you to prepare for several situations ahead. Important habits to help you look ahead down the road –maintain a forward focus, scan the whole width of the road, practice smooth transitions, and anticipate traffic patterns.
Respond to other drivers
Keeping a safe following distance so as to minimize the risk of rear-end collisions and can provide you more time to react to any sudden changes while in traffic. A significant distance should be kept between you and the next vehicle and don’t forget to keep the 3-4 seconds rule, adjust the distance for various conditions, always be prepared for sudden braking, adjust your speed, and anticipate other driver’s actions.
Respect the rules of right of way
Yielding to other drivers where need be is a good thing and important driving etiquette. Therefore, familiarize yourself to local right-of-way rules, especially if you plan to embark on a self-drive tour in Uganda or Rwanda self-drive safari. Always be patient, communicate your intentions, yield to pedestrians, and be cautious at intersections, and more.
Anticipate other driver’s restrictions
It is not easy or even impossible to read the minds of other drivers but you can always make educated guesses about their actions depending on their behaviors and driving patterns. At all times, adjust yourself each time you are behind the wheels to the above observations as they can limit on the risk of road accidents. Keep watch of the turn signals, observe driving patterns, leave extra distance for brake-happy drivers, be cautious around large cars, be ready to face aggressive drivers on the road and more.
Control your speed
While you may want to reach your destination as soon as possible, be mindful that overspeeding can lead to road accidents. The disadvantage of speeding is that it reduces your ability to react to unexpected situations and puts you at risk of collisions. Tips to control your speed include keeping up with traffic flow, observing posted speed limits, be cautious in adverse conditions, avoiding speeding, and staying out of the way of aggressive drivers.
Don’t resort to road rage
Nothing leaves one frustrated like coming across erratic drivers and yet you can’t retaliate or allow anger to take over you. Allowing anger to take over you can lead to accidents and also worsen situations. In such situations of anger, try as much as you can to take a deep breath, change lanes/find an alternate route, be patient, practice empathy, report all dangerous drivers, and avoid taking things personal.
Let others know what you are doing
While on the road, you won’t be alone and to enjoy your road trip, you must maintain a safe driving environment. Tips to keep in mind –avoid blind spots, use your signal consistently, check your lights regularly, maintain consistent speed, be cautious when braking, and more.
Adjust your driving according to weather conditions
Driving in unfavorable weather conditions can be challenging and requires extra cautiousness and adequate preparation. Useful tips –slow down, leave space between your car and the next one, be keen on turns and steep roads, use your lights appropriately, and others.
In conclusion, gaining defensive driving skills/techniques is essential for your safety on a road trip in Uganda/any part of the world.
