Together with darkness and rainy conditions, other road-users may be regarded as one of the most common hazards. Learn to recognise potentially dangerous drivers and keep clear of them. No matter how severely you may be provoked resist the temptation to retaliate – it may result in anything from a collision to a shooting match.
The AA urges motorists to be especially wary when driving near any of the following:
- Any vehicle in which the driver’s range of vision is limited – such as a fully laden truck with no side mirror.
- Any vehicle that is dirty, rusty, missing body parts or with a badly smoking exhaust – it is probably in poor overall mechanical condition.
- A truck with a badly packed or unsecured load, or a car with a bulky load on the roof rack – the load, or part of it, may come adrift.
- A car containing active children and pets – the driver may not be concentrating on the road.
- A car with stickers on the windows, piles of luggage, and a large number of passengers – the driver’s vision is probably obscured.
- A vehicle with a driver who does not appear to be giving his full attention to the road.
- A driver who obstructs and does not let you pass – slow down and let him get far ahead.
- A vehicle that “wanders” about the road – it could be faulty steering or suspension, or the driver may be drunk or sleepy.
Remember, if you cannot see the mirrors of the vehicle in front of you, that driver can’t see you.
There are times of the day, and of the week, when accidents occur more frequently:
- Between dusk and dawn.
- During morning and evening peak periods.
- At “closing time” for bars, hotels and clubs.
- In the afternoon when children come out of schools.
- After large public gatherings, such as rugby matches or race meetings.
- Late in the week and at weekends when the use of alcohol increases.
- On public holidays and weekends when many motorists are paying more attention to sightseeing than to proper driving.