Safety Tips from Voice on the Go – November edition

Here's another roundup of safety tips from Voice on the Go!

1. At railway crossings, if a train is coming, stop at least five metres away from the nearest rail / gate.
Some railway crossings include a flashing light indicator; when this light is flashing, stop at least 5m from the gate and do not cross until the lights have stopped flashing and the gate barrier rises completely.

2. Signal well in advance when making a turn - it can greatly decrease your chances of having a collision
This also includes signaling in advance when making a lane change. Sudden collisions can be avoided when others are able to predict your actions early and vice versa.

3. Certain medications may impair your driving ability; limit your driving if this is the case.
Drugged driving can be just as bad as drinking and texting while driving. If you've taken medication recently such opiate analgesics, be wary of possible impairments. Check the labels on your prescription drugs for any warnings against the operation of vehicles, or any other effects it may have as a result of taking them. An overdose of medication is extremely dangerous and in turn can lead to danger on the road.

4. Obey speed limit and slow down in bad weather, heavy traffic or in a construction zone.
There will be lots of factors that may slow down drivers while commuting, be it rainy weather, blocked roads or traffic jams. But it doesn't mean driving faster is the way to go. Penalties for going over the speed limit can include several demerit points, license suspension, and thousand dollar fines on top of increased dangers.

5. Yield to pedestrians (even in unmarked crosswalks) & the right of way. Let the other go first if in doubt.
It's always good to signal well in advance, but it doesn't give you the right of way. Be patient and look for passing cars and pedestrians first. Always better to be safe than sorry.

As we approach the December holidays, be sure to prepare for the winter and adapt your driving to the weather conditions this season!

Don't forget that Voice on the Go can also help you stay safe and greatly reduce the number of accidents on the road - why not give it a try?

Follow Voice on the Go on Twitter for more tips, news and updates. If you have any driver safety tips, let us know via @Voiceonthego / #VoiceOnTheGo or in a comment and we'll share!