Driving
is a skill that requires constant and complex co-ordination of mind and body of
the driver.
CONCENTRATION
NEEDS OF DRIVING TASK
Driver
distraction it a huge unrecognized danger. It leads to slowed reactions,
distracted perception, impaired co-ordination, decreased visual and auditory
awareness, disorientation and slowed mental processing.
SKILLS
NEEDED BY A DRIVER INCLUDE:
Visual
Skill (seeing): e.g. watching the road in front and around the vehicle, using
mirrors, shoulder checks, checking gauges, speedometer etc.
Auditory
Skill (listening): e.g. squealing of brakes, the sirens of an emergency
vehicle, vehicle sounds etc.
Bio-Mechanical
(doing-hand-eye co-ordination): e.g. turning the steering wheel, activating
signals, headlights, horn, pressing the accelerator, brakes , clutch etc.
Cognitive
(Thinking): e.g. anticipating any future movements, assessing situations such
as movements of other vehicles, weather conditions, preparing to avoid hazards
etc.
TYPES OF
DISTRACTIONS
Adjusting
the radio, cassette or CD player.
Using /
dialing a mobile phone.
Eating
and drinking while driving.
Other
occupants in the vehicle.
Outside
distractions like accidents, friends in other vehicles, vehicles stopped by
police, roadside advertising, new construction etc.
Personnel
grooming.
Pre-occupation
in thoughts or mind-wandering.
Reading
or writing.
Activities
of fellow drivers in the traffic stream.
Drowsy
driving and driver fatigue.
Drinking
and driving.
Smoking
while driving.
HEIGHT WORK SAFETY
TIPS ON
AVOIDING DRIVER DISTRACTIONS INCLUDE:
Avoid
emotionally charged or complex conversion.
When
hungry or thirsty take a break.
Attend to
personnel grooming and check your route before you leave.
Make it a
habit to use your cell phone only when parked.
Never
read or take notes while driving.
Identify
and preset your vehicle’s climate control, radio and CD player.
Make sure
your children are comfortable and properly bucked up.
Resist
the urge to get a good look at the accident scene.
STAY SAFE
AT THE PETROL PUMP
Turn off
your vehicle engine while refueling. Put your vehicle in park and / or set the
emergency brake.
Turn off
any auxiliary sources of ignition such as pilot lights.
Do not
smoke, light matches or lighters while refueling at the pump or when using
petrol anywhere else.
Use only
the refueling latch provided on the petrol dispenser nozzle, -never jam the
refueling latch on the nozzle open.
Do not
re-enter your vehicle during refueling.
In the
unlikely event of a static caused fire occurring while refueling, leave the
nozzle in the fill pipe and back away from the vehicle.
Do not
over-fill or top-off your vehicle tank, which can cause petrol spillage.
Avoid
prolonged breathing of petrol vapours. Use petrol only in open areas that get
plenty of fresh air. Keep your face away from the nozzle.
Never
siphen petrol by mouth nor put petrol in your mouth for any reason. Petrol can
be harmful or fatal if swallowed. If someone swallows petrol, do not induce
vomiting. Contact a doctor immediately.
Keep
petrol away from your eyes and skin-it may cause irritation. Remove
petrol-soaked clothing immediately.
Use
petrol as a vehicle fuel only. Never use petrol to wash your hands or as a
cleaning solvent.
Do not
use portable electric/ electronic equipment such as mobile phone on petrol
pumps.
Avoid
using tools that can generate sparks so as to avoid any chance of petroleum
vapours catching fire.
SEATBELTS
AND SAFETY IN CARS
The
chances of survival in case of an accident are 70 percent more if a passenger
has fastened his seatbelt than if he is not wearing a seatbelt.
