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Behind the wheel, you drive leisurely and with great enthusiasm. But in today's crowded cities, traffic can be fraught with danger. Heavy traffic combined with distractions can lead to unpredictable (or even dangerous) behavior from vehicles and pedestrians. Driving a car is safer than riding a bicycle or motorbike, but that safety is only achieved when you are focused on driving.
Fasten your seatbelt.
Wearing a seatbelt is always the number one rule. While this is considered basic advice, many people still disregard it, especially when sitting in the back seat. Wearing a seatbelt halves the risk of injury in an accident – and reduces the risk of death by up to 45%.
Understand your car.
This may sound obvious, but every car is different, so equip yourself with sufficient knowledge about the vehicle you're driving to avoid any distractions on your journey. Learn how to use the headlights, windshield wipers, and climate control before it gets dark or a sudden rain shower hits, and especially before you have to fumble with the air conditioning while looking at the road.
Many modern cars, such as the Ford Focus, are equipped with driver-assistance technologies to help ensure your safety on busy roads. Therefore, familiarize yourself with these features before you begin your journey.
Avoid distractions.
The list of distractions is endless: phone notifications, social media, unruly children, eating in the car, applying makeup, lack of sleep, loud music... However, remember that the number of accidents and injuries related to distractions is on the rise.
According to a 2017 Ford survey on distracted driving, 54% of drivers in the Asia-Pacific region admitted they try not to use their phones while driving – but they still fail. Finish any unfinished tasks before getting behind the wheel – your life and the lives of those around you are more important than answering those text messages.
Drive carefully.
Having to move slowly through congested traffic can be frustrating for any driver, even the most experienced. Here are some strategies to help you drive more cautiously.
Always be aware of your surroundings, especially when backing out of a parking space, changing lanes, or turning. Using parking assist systems and other driver-assistance technologies such as Ford's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) along with Cross-Traffic Alert will let you know if other vehicles are in your blind spots. As part of Ford's Co-Pilot360™ driver-assistance technology, BLIS is designed to help detect and alert the driver if vehicles are entering the blind spot on either side of the vehicle. When backing out of a parking space, these sensors are used to detect approaching vehicles from the side.
Other “active defensive” driving techniques include:
- Use the turn signal lights.
- Use both hands to control the steering wheel.
- Watch out for animals! Small animals can suddenly dart into the road, and even larger ones can unexpectedly paralyze traffic.
- Stay away from those "road monsters," and remember, this isn't a race! The only goal is to get home safely, so please obey speed limits when driving.
Monitor the weather conditions.
Whenever the weather changes, so does the traffic on the roads you travel. Practice driving in bad weather in a safe and secluded location to see how responsive your grip, brakes, and steering are at different speeds – if possible, join an experienced driver. This practice will help you stay calm in challenging situations on any journey, whether it's commuting to school, work, or on a road trip.
During the rainy season, you should keep the following points in mind to ensure safety: Replace old windshield wipers before the rainy season and check your tires to make sure they are properly inflated; Turn on your headlights when the outside light is dim; Drive slowly. Driving at high speeds can cause your car to skid/lose traction, or climbing onto a slippery sidewalk can also cause you to lose control.
Following these tips and participating in a Safe Driving training course will help you avoid being included in accident statistics and contribute positively to responsible driving. The Ford Driving Skills For Life (DSFL) program in Vietnam is now in its 11th year and has provided free training to over 15,000 participants across 14 provinces and cities; including students at major universities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as transport service providers, truck drivers, bus drivers, and taxi drivers since 2008. The program is also present in many countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region, equipping young drivers, expectant mothers, commercial vehicle drivers, and farmers with knowledge. Courses cover hazard recognition, vehicle mastery, speed and situation handling, recognizing the dangers of distracted driving, and much more.
