Road Safety Tips To Know Before Driving a Car

Understanding Road Rules and Speed Limits

Australia has strict road regulations that every driver must obey. One of the most important rules is about driving under influence, with a limit of blood alcohol set at 0.05. Random breath and drug tests are conducted by police throughout the nation, and driving under the influence is a serious crime. Also, Australia uses the metric system so all speed limits are in kilometres per hour. Generally speaking, speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas (unless marked otherwise) and between 100 km/h and 110 km/h on most highways: No-one has to be told that speeding is heavily policed, with fines for the slightest infraction often implemented via hidden speed cameras.

Conducting a Vehicle Safety Check

But first, you need to inspect your vehicle before embarking on a trip. It helps when the road conditions won’t surprise you — and they can in Australia, with everything from sudden weather changes to kangaroos on the road. Check that your brakes work properly — the brakes are key to bottoming out both in the city and in the middle of nowhere. Check tyres for adequate tread depth and appropriate pressure, especially in wet conditions. Also check fluid levels such as oil, coolant and brake fluid to keep everything running smoothly. Make sure all lights, including headlights and indicators, are working for visibility and communication on the road.

Planning and Awareness for Safe Journeys

You can make difference in safety on the road, with proper awareness and planning. This is especially true if you are travelling through more remote parts of the country, where there may not be many fuel stations and services for a long stretch. Prepare a different road to take in case of road blockades or unforeseen detours. This is also why it's so important to check the weather forecast (Australian weather can change quickly and impact driving conditions). If warnings for severe weather are in use, wait to travel or choose a safer path.

Driver Well-being and Avoiding Fatigue

When it comes to road safety, your state of mind and body is a huge factor. While you have the option to drive using a ridesharing service, it is crucial to be well-rested before doing so as fatigue is known to have a highly negative effect on reaction times and decision-making abilities. On a long trip, you need to stop and step out every so often — plan on taking a break every two hours where you walk out and refresh and stretch. If you are getting tired, watch for yawning or difficulty in concentration. If necessary, delay your trip or opt for other forms of transportation. Drivers who are unwell should refrain from driving, milling over whether they can drive and not be at risk, because being unwell can affect focus and motor control.

Practicing Defensive and Responsible Driving

Adhering to road rules and adopting a defensive driving strategy helps ensure the safety of all road users. Always buckle your seatbelt and make sure your passengers do too. Do not get distracted like use of mobile while driving etc. because this type of acts decrease reaction time of the person. Stay calm when confronted with aggressive driving, and steer clear of road rage. Drive slowly and cautiously when passing broken down vehicles with activated hazard lights. If you have an emergency vehicle with flashing red or blue lights behind you, to the law you must slow down to 25 km/h, and in the case of if you break down, safely pull over, and turn on hazard lights, and stay in your vehicle provided that is the safest option, whilst waiting for roadside assistance.

These road safety tips will help you drive more safely on Australian roads, whether you are driving through the city or hitting the open highway.