National Road Safety Week is asking Australians to ‘Drive So Others Survive’ and Logan motorists are being reminded that some of the most important safety habits start before a car even leaves the driveway.
From basic vehicle checks to patience around learner drivers, locals say small decisions can make a major difference on busy roads, school routes and motorways.
1. Leave a safe gap
Logan City Driving School’s Jessica Stubbersfield said maintaining a safe following distance was one of the most important habits for drivers of all experience levels.
“Maintaining a safe following distance at all times, regardless of the speed,” Ms Stubbersfield said.
“This will help to stop safely and avoid a collision.”
Ms Stubbersfield said drivers should leave at least a two-second gap and double that distance in wet conditions.
2. Pay attention to what other drivers are doing
Ms Stubbersfield said one of the most common mistakes made by learner, young and newer drivers was a lack of situational awareness.
“Situational awareness- anticipating what another car is going to do by watching their driving behaviour,” she said.
“Just scanning an intersection when approaching to see if the cars coming from the other side are doing the correct thing can be enough to avoid a collision.”
3. Cut distractions before the trip starts
Reza Safari from Reza AutoSport said drivers should think about how they use technology before heading onto busy roads.
Mr Safari said dash cams were becoming increasingly common for everyday drivers, particularly in the event of a crash or incident.
It also said hands-free systems could help reduce phone-related distractions.
“A lot of distractions on the road come from people trying to use their phones while driving, whether it’s for maps, calls, or music,” Mr Safari said.
“Having everything accessible through voice control and the car’s screen helps drivers stay focused on the road, keeps other road users safer, and can also save thousands of dollars in fines for illegally using a phone while driving.”
4. Don’t ignore electrical warning signs
Mr Safari said drivers should pay attention to signs of electrical problems before they become more serious or leave someone stranded.
Mr Safari said warning signs could include a car failing to start, rapid clicking, a battery warning light, flickering or dimming headlights, erratic electrical components, burning smells or smoking wires.
“As an Auto Electrical Business we often see dead and failing batteries due to poorly installed infotainment systems, non compatible dash cameras and other aftermarket modifications,” Mr Safari said.
5. Be patient around learner drivers
Ms Stubbersfield said motorists should give learner drivers plenty of room.
“You never know what stage of learning they are at and mistakes will happen, it’s a part of the process,” she said.
She said impatient drivers could increase a learner’s stress and make it harder for them to focus on the road.
Her broader advice to Logan drivers was simple.
“Plan ahead, be patient, and leave room,” she said.
“When rushing, that’s when the mistakes happen. You can fix slow, but you can’t fix fast.”
