Protect Our
Future!
Safety on the Road …
Your Choice!
Panorama
Promoting Family Safety
Special Traffic Issue 2014
Panorama
Promoting Family Safety
Inside this issue
S P E C I A L
T R A F F I C
I S S U E
2 0 1 4
Special Traffic Issue 2014
If you have any articles you
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to: [email protected]
Panorama (Issn 1319-2027) is
published quarterly by Saudi Aramco’s
Loss Prevention Department and is
distributed free of charge to company
employees and other readers with an
interest in safety. Articles may be
reprinted without permission provided
Panorama and Saudi Aramco Loss
Prevention are credited.
2 Asleep at the Wheel?
Driver fatigue is a serious problem and can seriously affect and impair driver
concentration and awareness. Tragically, its impact on safe driving is often
seriously underestimated by drivers.
Loss Prevention, Room A-117
Building 3150, LIP
Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
Photos by Ali Al-Mubarak
Altraiki P. Company - Fax: 8471412
© Copyright 2014, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.
6
Distracting Darlings
Passengers are ranked by drivers as among the most
frequent causes of distraction. Young children are four times
as distracting as adults, while infants can be eight times
more distracting; and it takes only a fraction of a second for
an unexpected hazard to cause a disastrous accident.
9 Not by Accident
Traffic laws are meant to keep
road users safe but they will only
work when everyone follows
the rules and stops breaking the
law no matter what the excuse.
Everyone is responsible for road
safety.
13
The Boundaries of Parking
Refresh your knowledge of parking rules and regulations
— it can make the frustrating world of driving much
more tolerable for everyone. A small investment, such as
understanding the rules and etiquette in parking lots, can
help prevent a vehicle incident.
17
Traffic Safety Challenges
Even the best drivers sometimes panic when faced
with a driving challenge. Here are a few reminders
on how to handle some of the most dangerous
driving situations you may encounter.
“
“
Studies show that drivers don’t fall asleep without
warning and those who do fall asleep at the wheel
have often tried to fight off drowsiness by opening a
window or turning up the radio.
Asleep at the
Wheel?
2
Pa n o ra m a
Have you ever been watching television or reading a book
when slowly your eyes begin to close? Your head falls
forward and before you know it, momentarily you have fallen
completely asleep, only waking when your head suddenly
jerks back at the moment you completely lose consciousness.
Driver fatigue is a serious problem
and can seriously affect and
impair driver concentration and
awareness. Tragically, its impact
on safe driving is often seriously
underestimated by drivers. The
facts speak for themselves:
• Research suggests that almost
20% of accidents on major
roads are sleep related.
• Sleep-related accidents are
more likely than others to
result in a fatality or serious
injury.
• Peak times for accidents are in
the early hours of the day and
after lunch.
Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness
that has a gradual onset. It
can be physical or mental,
decreasing your ability to think
and focus clearly. Long hours at
the office or on the road, busy
lifestyles, pushing yourself too
hard and simply not getting the
recommended eight hours of
sleep every night all contribute to
a buildup that strains the body
and mind, causing fatigue.
For drivers, this can be incredibly
dangerous, especially those who
“keep going” even when they
really feel too tired to do so. This
is dangerous for any activity, but
when in charge of a vehicle, or
any machinery, it can be lethal.
Recognize the signs at the
wheel
Fatigued drivers experience the
following tell-tale signs:
• Disconnected or wandering
thoughts.
• Inability to remember the last
few moments or parts of the
road just driven.
• Inability to focus solely on the
road and surroundings.
• Frequent yawning.
• “Heavy” eyes and difficulty
keeping them open.
• Restlessness and muscle
soreness.
Reasons for fatigue can be varied
and include:
• Lack of proper rest and sleep.
• Driving for long distances/
periods of time or having a job
that requires this activity.
• Driving at irregular hours
(generally considered between
midnight and 6 a.m.) Early
afternoon (2 to 4 p.m.) has
also been identified as a key
time for fatigue onset.
3
Special Traffic Issue 2014
It’s a shock, waking up in such
an abrupt fashion. Lucky for you,
when you’re in an armchair you
simply know it’s time to go to
bed. But what if you were behind
the wheel of a car? What if,
instead of awaking to a TV screen,
you came face-to-face with
another vehicle seconds before a
head-on collision?
• Consuming a heavy meal
before starting a journey.
are fighting fatigue, it will win
unless you stop and rest.
• Taking medication that causes
drowsiness. (Never drive if you
are taking medication that
causes drowsiness. Check the
label to see if it states that you
should not drive or operate
heavy equipment. If you are in
doubt, consult your doctor.)
Even short journeys are a potential
risk. Drivers simply cannot be
as alert to surrounding traffic
situations and pedestrians when
they are fatigued. How long does
it take to drift into the lane of an
oncoming car? A few seconds
only. So any time spent on the
road when fatigued is potentially
the time an accident could
happen, possibly a fatal one.
• Suffering from Obstructive
Sleep Apnea (OSA) — see table
below.
Recognizing the signs of fatigue is
the first part; taking action is the
second. Often, drivers are aware
when they are feeling sleepy,
so this is the time to make a
conscious decision about whether
to continue driving. Those who
persist can underestimate the risk
of actually falling asleep at the
wheel. Studies show that drivers
don’t fall asleep without warning
and those who do fall asleep at
the wheel have often tried to
fight off drowsiness by opening a
window or turning up the radio.
This doesn’t work for long. If you
O
A refreshing start
No one needs to start a car
journey tired. Follow our Journey
Planner on page 5:
• Plan your journey to include
a 15-minute break every two
hours.
• Don’t start a long trip if you’re
already tired.
• Remember the risks if you have
to get up unusually early to
start a long drive.
• Try to avoid long trips between
midnight and 6 a.m. when
you’re likely to feel sleepy
anyway.
• If you start to feel sleepy, find a
safe place to stop and nap for
10 to 15 minutes — never the
hard shoulder of a motorway.
• Drinking two cups of coffee or
a high-caffeine drink can help,
but this can only be a shortterm solution. Drivers can have
a false sense of alertness that
does not last.
• Remember, the only real cure
for fatigue is proper rest and
sleep. Do not continue a
journey, even after a rest stop,
if you are too tired to do so.
It’s not just the driver who is
affected by driving while fatigued
— his passengers and everyone
else sharing the road with him are
potential victims of his decision.
Never risk driving when fatigued;
be fit to drive every time you
go out. No driver should make
a decision he could regret for a
lifetime.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
bstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related medical condition. It occurs
when a person is sleeping and the muscles in the nose and throat relax so much that the
airway passages narrow, causing disruption to the airflow. The reduced airway results in
noisy and turbulent breathing (snoring). On occasion, the airways can close altogether,
causing pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses are called apneas (literally,
“without breath”) and typically last for 20 to 40 seconds.
A person who has OSA will suffer during the day due to their lack of refreshing sleep at night. The
person wakes up feeling tired and may have a headache. Daytime sleepiness is very common with OSA
adults falling asleep at meetings, watching TV, even during conversations. But the most alarming fact
is that they can also do so while driving.
If you experience excessive daytime tiredness and are falling asleep during the day, you could suffer
from OSA. There is now increasing awareness of the relationship between OSA and falling asleep
during driving, particularly on long, straight roads. Consult your doctor about possible OSA and
treatment for it.
4
Pa n o ra m a
Journey
Planner
Do you have
to drive?
Use other travel modes,
it’s safer (e.g., taxi)
No
Yes
Be well rested
before you start.
Avoid heavy meals.
Make sure you’re
not on medication
that could make you
drowsy.
Ensure your vehicle
is in good condition.
Book an overnight
stop if necessary.
Avoid driving in peak
sleepiness periods.
(2 to 4 p.m. and
midnight to 6 a.m.)
Plan the route
Avoid driving when
you would normally
be asleep.
Plan to take rest
breaks at least every
two hours.
Plan where to stop
for the night, if
necessary.
Check for delays
— plan alternative
routes.
During the journey
Stay focused and concentrate on
your driving.
Take regular rest breaks — stop for
15 minutes every two hours.
If you start to feel sleepy …
Take two strong
caffeine drinks — but
don’t rely on these to
keep you awake for long
distances.
Rest for 15 minutes
minimum.
Only continue if you feel
refreshed.
Too tired to continue? Find somewhere safe to stop overnight.
5
Special Traffic Issue 2014
Find a safe place to stop
and pull over — NEVER
on the road or the
shoulder of the road!
Distracting
Darlings
6
Pa n o ra m a
“Are we there yet?” Every parent who’s traveled with
children has heard that question.
Whether it’s two or more young ones squabbling or
a lone infant protesting to be released from a child
safety seat, you do not want to divert your attention
from the road. My trick was to pull off to the side
of the road and recite the multiplication tables until
quiet was restored in the back seat. It got to the
point where all I had to say was “One times one
equals one; two times one” to have complete silence
in the car.
According to the American Automobile Association
(AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety, passengers
are ranked by drivers as among the most frequent
causes of distraction. Young children are four times
as distracting as adults, while infants can be eight
times more distracting; and it takes only a fraction
of a second for an unexpected hazard to cause a
disastrous accident.
How to prepare
It is tempting to discuss, argue, threaten and
otherwise get involved with the children, but all of
these are distracting and dangerous for a driver.
A little beforehand driving preparation can make the
journey smoother and more pleasant for everyone.
Before setting out
Babies
• Plan to feed babies before you depart. If your
baby is eating or drinking in the car and starts to
choke, you will have limited ability to react.
• Check the child or baby restraint to ensure it
is correct for the size, weight and age of the
child. According to the AAA one of the things
that can prevent children from being distracting
is ensuring that they are restrained in the
appropriate seat. Start with your baby’s first trip
home from the hospital.
Older children
• Set the ground rules. Educate children on
car safety. Tell them that parents need to pay
attention to the road, so that everyone is safe.
• Make sure you have items that the children may
need on hand or within reach. Put snacks and
drinks where they are accessible. Sometimes
putting a bag with snacks between the children
helps eliminate arguments about space.
• Put toys within easy reach. In all cases, make
sure that any heavier items, such as video games
or larger books are safely stored in the seatback
pockets, so that they won’t become projectiles in
the event of a crash.
• Select DVDs if there is a DVD player in the vehicle.
Choose those that the entire family can agree on.
• Select CDs with children’s stories and songs for
the trip.
On the road
• Be a role model. Always wear your seat belt and
drive defensively.
• Keep your eyes forward. Resist the urge to reach
back or take your eyes off the road even when
you’re stopped. It only takes a second for an
accident to occur.
• Do not use mirrors. Your rearview and side view
mirrors need to be used for checking the road.
They should not be adjusted to view children.
• Do use special mirrors. If your children are in
rear-facing car seats, attach a mirror to the head
restraint to be able to monitor them.
• Make them wait: Tell your kids that you cannot
help because you are driving and that they will
need to wait until you can pull over or until you
get to your destination. You may have to listen to
a tantrum, but at least the child is restrained in a
seat and cannot get hurt or hurt anyone else.
• Pull over. If you cannot deal with screaming and
need to tend to your child immediately, pull over
to a safe spot. It’s safer to get off the road and
go into a gas station than move to the side of the
road where you could face other hazards such
as the possibility of getting struck by another
vehicle.
• Distract your children. Engage them in a song
or game. Children’s music in the CD player or a
DVD of a favorite program can help. Pointing out
buses, fire trucks, and traffic lights can help the
children focus on what’s outside the vehicle and
forget what’s bothering them inside the vehicle.
7
Special Traffic Issue 2014
Children are very distracting
• Stay off the phone. For the
safety of yourself and your
children (and others on the
road), refrain from using a
mobile phone to talk or text.
You’re carrying precious cargo
and your job is to transport
them safely. Not to mention
you may be potentially setting
a poor example. If you need to
make a call, pull over to a safe
place.
Then it’s Sami’s turn again. The
first player to get 25 points wins.
If you want a short game, set a
lower number.
Distracting the distractors
This is a game for 2 or more
players. It is a good game to play
at night when you can’t see the
scenery. It is also a good game
when the children are getting
too competitive with each other
as it is a cooperative game that
everyone plays and no one loses.
Many children have access to
electronic games or DVDs while
they are traveling and these
are usually great ways to keep
children quiet and engaged
during a trip. When batteries fail
or electronics are not available,
there are some games that have
kept children entertained over the
years.
Number of the day
Players: 1 or more
Equipment: A watch (optional)
The players decide on the order
of play — for example oldest
to youngest. They also pick a
number — for example they
might choose the number 5.
The first car to pass belongs to
Sami, the first player. The license
plate is 867HJA. The license plate
does not contain the number 5 so
Sami’s turn is over.
The second player, Jawaher, gets
the next car to pass. The license
plate is 151RBJ. Jawaher scores
one point for the 5.
Now it’s Ahmed’s turn. The next
car that comes has the license
plate 555ARZ. Ahmed gets 3
points — one for each of the 5s.
8
Pa n o ra m a
If you want to play the game
alone, time yourself to see how
long it takes you to get to your
goal number. Then play against
your own best time.
Night Rider
Players: 2 or more
All you have to do is make a
sound — a different sound that
is not too loud — whenever you
see or do something. For example,
when a car passes you, everyone
says BZZZZZ, BZZZZ, BZZZZ. When
you pass another car everyone
says Ding, Ding, Ding.
Some of the most common events
and the sounds that go with
them:
Car passes: BZZZZZ,
BZZZZZ, BZZZZ
You pass car: Ding,
Ding, Ding
You go over the
bridge: OOOO,
OOOO, OOOO
You go under the bridge: Aye,
Aye, Aye
You pass a sign: Ahhhh, Ahhhh,
Ahhhh
You pass a truck: Shhhh, Shhhh,
Shhhh
Truck passes you: Grrrr Grrrr
Grrrr
Adapted from The Little Giant Book
of Travel Fun, which has dozens of
travel games that are good for all
ages and for long journeys as well as
short trips.
Barry, Sheila Anne 2001, The Little
Giant Book of Travel Fun, Sterling
Publication, Canada.
Special Traffic Issue 2014
Not by
Accident
9
Accident: An unplanned event or circumstance; an unexpected happening causing
loss or injury that is not due to any fault or misconduct on the part of the person
injured.
Law: A binding custom or practice; a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally
recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority.
Saudi Arabia has achieved many successes on the
world stage, from being a leader in the energy
industry that supplies the world with the power to
prosper, to having some of the most modern and
well-built road infrastructure. It provides its citizens
with free education and medical care. It is a growing
power on the world stage; a record that they should
be proud of.
There is one record; however, that citizens and
residents of Saudi Arabia should not be proud to
hold. And that is Saudi Arabia’s traffic safety record.
According to the local media, Saudi Arabia’s roads
are among the most dangerous and deadly in the
world. Road deaths are a principal cause of fatal
injuries for male adults between the ages of 16 and
35. With over 300,000 traffic accidents annually,
about one third of the hospital beds in the Kingdom
are taken up by those injured in traffic accidents. In
the Arab News (Nov. 1, 2013, editorial), the rector
of the Dammam University and the Chairman of the
Supreme Committee of the Second Traffic Safety
Forum reported that “the total bill for the carnage
on our roads is now running at around SR 13 billion
… a truly staggering figure.”
Why, you might ask, does Saudi Arabia have this
tragic traffic accident record? The country has
some of the best developed road networks and
infrastructure. It has the same traffic rules and
regulations as the rest of the world. According the
World Health Organization, Saudi Arabia’s traffic
enforcement is improving and currently rated quite
high.
So what is the problem? Do the citizens and
residents willfully break the law? Traffic accidents
don’t just happen; they are caused by a blatant
disregard for the Kingdom’s traffic laws. As
stated in the Arab News, “road collisions happen
because someone behaved stupidly, with lack
of consideration for the rules or with reckless
abandon.”
Ask yourself, do you willfully disregard traffic rules
10
Pa n o ra m a
and regulations when you get behind the wheel?
Here are some of the excuses that people used when
they were seriously injured in vehicle collisions. Do
any of these sound familiar to you?
• I was running late for a meeting so I had to speed
to make up time.
• I considered myself to be a very competent driver.
I thought I could handle my vehicle at any speed
and maneuver it away from the hazard.
• I didn’t have the directions to where I was going,
so I was reading the map to help me get there.
• I was talking to my wife on the phone and didn’t
see the stop sign.
• I didn’t have time to take my vehicle to the
mechanics to check the brakes.
• I visually checked the tires to see if they were
properly inflated. They looked okay.
• My husband couldn’t take me to my medical
appointment, so I asked my 14 year old son to
drive. Although he doesn’t have a driver’s license,
his father taught him to drive.
• I was texting my friend and didn’t realize that we
needed to turn, so I instructed my driver to turn
left at the last minute.
• My children cry when I buckle them up in their
safety seats, so I leave them unrestrained.
• I don’t wear my seat belt — it’s too constraining.
There are just as many excuses as there are vehicle
accidents. The list is endless. But, are any of them
enough to excuse you from obeying the law and
taking the life of another person (or your own)?
Traffic laws are meant to keep road users safe but
they will only work when everyone follows the
rules and stops breaking the law no matter what
the excuse. Everyone is responsible for road safety.
Even passengers share the burden for the Kingdom’s
traffic safety record by allowing their drivers to
disrespect traffic rules and regulations.
Stop the excuses now
Don’t drive when under medication
Certain medications can
blur your vision and impair
your judgment and reflexes
(reducing your reaction time
and coordination), which
can cause you to make
unsafe driving decisions.
Use an alternate form of
transportation, such as a
taxi or bus, or ask a friend or an experienced family
member to drive instead.
Obey the speed limit
Speed limits are not
arbitrary numbers used by
the traffic authorities to
inconvenience you. They
are carefully determined to
ensure that vehicle speeds
match the road and driving
conditions. Traffic accident
statistics from all over the
world show that speeding is the primary contributing
factor for fatal traffic collisions. Simply put, speed
kills!
If you think you will be saving time and getting to
your destination quicker by traveling 16 km/h over
the speed limit, think again. You might save a few
minutes but you are increasing your chance of being
involved in a vehicle collision by as much as 50%.
Take your time, obey the speed limit and you will get
to your destination safely.
Avoid distractions
Never allow distractions to take your eyes
and concentration away from the road.
Distractions while driving can take many
forms: adjusting the radio/CD player/
MP3 player, using a DVD player, smoking,
grooming, using a GPS, talking/searching/
texting on a mobile
phone, eating and
drinking, talking to
passengers, and dealing
with noisy children.
One common element
among these things
is that they take our
attention away from
your primary task of
driving safely. So “keep
your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel”
as Jim Morrison (rock musician) sang. Be mindful
of other drivers who may be using a mobile phone,
eating, drinking or otherwise distracted. They can
make sudden and unpredictable moves.
Be well rested
You may think that a few yawns while you
are driving are nothing to be concerned
about. But research has shown that being
just a little drowsy increases your risk of
being involved in a traffic collision. A tired
driver’s responses
can be anything from
nodding off for a few
seconds to simply
losing consciousness.
This progression
can happen without
warning. When
travelling at any speed,
but especially highway
speeds, nodding off can be fatal. If you begin to
feel drowsy, pull off to the side of the road well
away from traffic and rest until you are feeling more
alert or ask a passenger to take over while you rest.
Remember the best advice is to get a good night’s
sleep (for at least 8 hours) on a regular basis. For
more information, refer to the article “Asleep at the
Wheel” on page 2.
11
Special Traffic Issue 2014
If we want to improve the Kingdom’s traffic record
and to be safe on the road, then we (drivers and
passengers alike) must change our driving behaviors,
attitudes and habits. Here are some driving tips to
follow to help bring you and your passengers home
unharmed each time:
Keep a safe following
distance
Safe driving guidelines from all over the world advise
drivers to maintain a safe following distance from
the vehicle ahead. Doing so will allow you sufficient
time to react to any hazards or traffic situations,
such as cars turning or stopping suddenly. The rule
of thumb for determining a safe following distance
under normal road and weather conditions is to
find a stationary object on the side of the road such
as traffic sign or street light and when the vehicle
ahead of you passes that object, start counting the
seconds “one thousand one, one thousand two.”
Count at least two seconds before your car passes
the object.
Be extra cautious in bad weather
If you are driving in bad
weather (fog, rain, sandstorms)
or through construction and
poor road conditions, be extra
cautious and increase your
following distance to 4 seconds
or more. Slow down; sand and
moisture from fog or rain can
make roads slippery. Be especially careful around
curves. If visibility is too poor to continue driving,
pull off the road as far away from traffic as possible.
Turn off your headlights, take your foot off the brake
pedal, and turn on your hazard lights. Wait until
conditions improve before starting to drive again.
Watch out for the other guy
Not everyone on the
road follows traffics
rules and regulations. It
is impossible to list all
the things another driver
might do, so be prepared
for the unexpected at all
times. Being prepared means always being aware of
the traffic around you. Check your mirrors and blind
spots frequently. Look ahead so you can see what
is happening. In the city, look at least one block
ahead and keep an eye on side streets so you will
know where the vehicles around you are and how
they are being driven. On the highway, look at least
400 m ahead. Keep well away from drivers who are
weaving in and out of traffic, speeding or driving
unsafely.
12
Pa n o ra m a
Keep your vehicle safe
Proper vehicle maintenance
not only extends the life
of your vehicle but it plays
a major role in keeping
you and your passengers
safe. Imagine applying the
brakes when you need
to stop at a red light and the brakes fail, or being
involved in a rollover because a tire blew out. At any
speed, but especially highway speeds, these vehicle
maintenance issues can be fatal. Although the
Kingdom requires regular vehicle inspections, you
need to be aware of any potential mechanical and
safety concerns that can happen at any time. Have
the vehicle repaired by a qualified mechanic. Check
your vehicle’s tire pressure (including the spare) at
least weekly and more often in the summer.
Wear your seat belt
Always wear your seat belt and make sure that
all your passengers are properly restrained in
age- and size-appropriate
vehicle restraints. When
worn properly, seat belts help
prevent vehicle occupants from
being thrown around inside
the vehicle or from being
ejected from the vehicle. The
US National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA)
statistics show that over half of the fatal injuries
were to people who were not wearing seat belts.
Seat belts help save lives, so buckle up!
Traffic safety does not happen by accident. It
requires everyone to obey the traffic laws. No more
excuses. Follow these safe driving tips and help
change the traffic safety record of the Kingdom.
Traffic safety … it’s your choice!
The Boundaries
of Parking
Special Traffic Issue 2014
13
Ali rushed in his car to the supermarket so he
would not miss his favorite team’s soccer game.
When he arrived at the store, the parking
lot was packed with cars. He sped through
the narrow lanes hoping he could find a spot
closer to the entrance. With his eyes focused
away from the road, he did not see the car
backing up in front of him. The cars collided.
Ali knew the damage would be extensive
from the sound of the impact. He banged his
fists against the wheel and shouted, “Now I’m
going to miss the football match!”
If you have ever had a vehicle incident, or
known someone who has, you are aware of
the troubles it brings. Dealing with traffic
police, insurance companies and repair shops
can be frustrating and costly. Most of the time,
accidents can be avoided. And since many
accidents happen in or near parking lots, it is
important to know how to act and respond in
these situations.
Mentally shifting gears
Even the safest and most confident drivers get nervous
in parking lots. Shifting your mindset is important since
drivers abruptly go from driving highway speeds to parking
speeds multiple times on a given trip. Many people forget
that each change in environment requires a change in
thinking.
Anees figured out how to deal with the shift when he
drives in parking lots. “I am way more relaxed on the
highway, but in a parking lot I become a different person.
I get my adrenaline pumping and start concentrating like
a martial arts fighter. I drive very slowly — no more than
10 km/h. I’ve seen way too many accidents in parking lots
and don’t want to be that guy on the phone calling the
police,” he said.
Pedestrian factors
Being a pedestrian also demands that you steer yourself in
14
Pa n o ra m a
the right direction. One worker
who collects shopping carts for a
retail store sees shoppers getting
into close calls on a daily basis.
“They seem to forget that they
are no longer behind the wheel
when they get out of their car and
they walk right in front of moving
traffic like they are invincible,”
said Ahmed.
The combination of motor vehicles
and pedestrians requires everyone
to be alert to the constantly
changing conditions. Drivers need
to make an extra effort to watch
out for pedestrians, especially
children. And some parking areas
are scarier than others. Poorly
placed traffic signs and other
hazards (i.e., poor lighting, few
crosswalks, rough surfaces) make
the typical parking lot experience
more perilous.
As Bruce Lee said, “[Parking lot
safety can only come] when being
wholly and quietly alive, aware
and alert, ready for whatever may
come.”
Got a lot of skills?
Slow driving and constant
alertness are important, but
more consideration needs to be
taken in a parking environment.
Developing and practicing a
structured set of skills can help
you avoid accidents. Tameem,
a youth driving instructor, has
created a list for his students
when he teaches his parking
lessons to his classes.
Rate yourself to see how you
would do in Tameem’s class by
completing the checklist below.
Parking Safety Checklist
Driver’s Checklist
Yes
No
Park your car as centered and straight in a space as possible.
Yes
No
Avoid parking at the end of an aisle where there is the additional exposure from vehicles
turning.
Yes
No
Avoid parking next to cars that are parked at an angle.
Yes
No
Use your horn to warn others.
Yes
No
Allow for more time so you are not late or rushed.
Yes
No
Take your time backing out of your parking spot. Check the rearview and side mirrors,
and look over both shoulders.
Yes
No
Buckle up before putting the car in gear.
Yes
No
Use your turn signals to communicate your intentions to the other drivers.
Yes
No
Look for a parking space where you don’t have to back out.
Yes
No
Avoid competing and arguing with another driver for a space.
Yes
No
Conduct of a “walk-around” 360˚ inspection of your vehicle before backing out of a
parking space, looking for any driving obstacles.
Pedestrian Checklist
No
Wear light-colored or reflective outer wear, if you’re walking after dark so that you will
be seen by drivers.
Yes
No
Watch where you are going and be alert for obstacles such as curbs and broken
pavement. If you are carrying items, make sure you can see over the load.
Yes
No
Use extra caution as you walk to your vehicle in conditions such as rain, dust, ice or
darkness.
Yes
No
Avoid texting, conversations or other things that might distract you from scanning the
parking area and being constantly alert for moving vehicles and machinery.
15
Special Traffic Issue 2014
Yes
“If I were to go undercover and
test driver’s skills in a parking
lot, most adults would fail,” said
Tameem. “Many of them set
poor examples for their children
behind the wheel and later I have
to teach young adults not to drive
like their parents,” he jokes.
Refresh your knowledge of
parking rules and regulations — it
can make the frustrating world
of driving much more tolerable
for everyone. A small investment,
such as understanding the rules
and etiquette in parking lots, can
save you time, money and pain.
Parking Etiquette
Here are some suggestions on how drivers and pedestrians can improve their parking manners:
• Double parking is a no-no. No one likes to be blocked in by a stranger. The offending car can,
and should, be towed.
• First come, first served. The universal rule is that the first person waiting for a parking space is
to be the recipient of that parking space. To swoop in and take it is tantamount to theft.
• Use your turn signals to indicate your intentions to others. You may also communicate your
intentions with eye contact, as well as appropriate hand gestures if needed.
• Pedestrians should resist obstructing traffic by walking in the center of a parking lane. Use a
sidewalk if possible and avoid using your mobile phone until you are out of congested parking
areas.
• Keep your children close to you in parking lots — have them hold your hand and stay near
them. Drivers should also watch for families with children, since little ones have a tendency to
jump out and run around at any given moment.
16
Pa n o ra m a
Traffic Safety
Challenges
Special Traffic Issue 2014
17
Traffic accidents are preventable.
A preventable accident is one in
which a driver commits errors
or fails to react appropriately to
the errors of others. A defensive
driver has the ability to avoid
accidents despite adverse driving
conditions and the actions or
errors of others. Most drivers
are trained to drive properly.
However, even the best drivers
sometimes panic when faced with
a driving challenge. Here are a
few reminders on how to handle
some of the most dangerous
driving situations you may
encounter.
• Stay well to the right of the
centerline, where oncoming
traffic is less likely to stray.
Doing so helps you move to
the shoulder or side of the
road more quickly, if needed.
Avoid head-on collisions
• Be prepared to stop or drive
off the road if the oncoming
vehicle does not move into its
own lane.
Head-on collisions are the most
deadly accidents, often resulting
in fatalities. Driving on an
undivided highway increases your
chance of a head-on collision
because there is no barrier to
separate your vehicle from the
traffic moving in the opposite
direction. Some of the most
unsafe situations encountered on
undivided roads include a vehicle
attempting to pass another
vehicle; a vehicle swerving to
avoid a hazard on the road, such
as another vehicle, a pedestrian
or a cyclist; a speeding vehicle
entering your lane because the
driver is distracted; and a driver
losing control of his vehicle. Most
head-on collisions, however, can
be prevented using defensive
driving techniques:
• Drive only when alert and well
rested.
• Frequently scan the road
ahead for hazards. Look as far
into the distance as you can.
Noticing a hazard at a distance
allows you more time to react
to it and avoid a collision.
18
Pa n o ra m a
• Drive at a safe speed for road
and weather conditions. This
way you will have more time
to appropriately react to a
hazard.
When you see an oncoming
vehicle driving in your lane, take
these precautions:
• Slow down and move to the
right.
• Sound your horn and flash
your lights.
• If you decide to drive off the
road, avoid slamming on the
brakes. Remove your foot
from the accelerator, apply the
brakes gently and steer firmly
in the direction you want to
move.
Merge safely into highway
traffic
When merging into highway
traffic, you must simultaneously
scan the highway for an opening
and adjust your speed to match
the speed of the traffic on the
highway. Follow these safety tips
to merge safely into highway
traffic:
• Do not stop on the onramp
unless it is absolutely
necessary. If you stop, it will
take longer to reach the speed
of the traffic on the highway.
You may also set off a chain
reaction of collision with the
vehicles behind you.
• Allow an adequate gap
between your vehicle, the
vehicle that passes the ramp
in front of you and the vehicle
behind you.
• Turn on your signal light as
you merge, use your rearview
and side mirrors, and look over
your shoulder to make sure
that no traffic is in your blind
spot or moving to the right of
your lane.
Change lanes safely
Lane changing is another
challenging driving situation.
These safety tips will help you
change lanes safely:
• Plan ahead so you have plenty
of time to change lanes.
• Before changing lanes, check
your rearview and side mirrors
and blind spots.
• Use your turn signal to indicate
your intentions.
• Keep a safe distance between
the vehicle in front of you and
the vehicle behind you.
• Avoid slowing down or
speeding up dramatically.
However, be sure to match
your speed to the speed of
traffic in the lane you are
moving into.
• Do not cross more than one
lane at a time.
• Turn off your turn signal after
changing lanes.
Avoid a collision with the
vehicle ahead
To avoid a collision with the
vehicle ahead, follow these tips:
• Stay back. Keep at least a twosecond following distance.
When the rear bumper of the
vehicle ahead of you passes
a stationary object, begin
counting “One thousand one,
one thousand two.” As you
• Stay alert for the actions of the
driver ahead of you. Watch for
his intentions — turn signals,
brake lights, drifting to the
right or left in preparation
of a turn, etc., and react
appropriately.
Avoid a collision with the
vehicle behind
To avoid a collision with the
vehicle behind you, follow these
tips:
• Signal your intentions in time.
Use directional signals and
brake lights to communicate.
Give the driver behind you
time to adjust to your moves.
When stopped, keep your
brake lights on.
• Stop smoothly. By applying
the two-second rule with
the vehicle ahead, you will
minimize the need for sudden
stops and thus reduce the
chances of rear-end collisions.
• Slow down when the vehicle
behind you does not follow at
an adequate distance. Adjust
your own following distance
to at least four seconds. This
action encourages tailgaters to
either pass you or slow down.
Avoid obstructed vision
related accidents
When a driver’s vision is
obstructed by greenery or houses,
or by large vehicles parked on
either side of the road, especially
at intersection corners, he cannot
see oncoming traffic clearly. To
avoid accidents resulting from
limited line of sight, a driver must
follow these safety tips:
• Look around and into the
distance before reaching an
area with houses, greenery or
parked vehicles.
• Exercise caution when
approaching the area and
watch for oncoming traffic
from the opposite road.
• Slow down and be ready to
stop if necessary to avoid
hazards due to others’
mistakes. Even if you have the
right-of-way, be careful and
ready to yield to the other
driver if necessary.
• Check your rearview and side
mirrors for traffic; look over
your shoulder for traffic in your
blind spot.
Approach a roundabout safely
To avoid an accident at a
roundabout (traffic circle), follow
these safety tips:
• Approach cautiously indicating
your intentions with a right
turn signal.
• Yield the right-of-way to traffic
already in the roundabout.
• Once traffic is clear, proceed
to the right — you never enter
the circle by turning left.
• When you are ready to exit the
roundabout, turn on your right
turn signal.
• Turn off your turn signal once
you leave the roundabout.
Stop intersection accidents
Accidents at intersections are
some of the most common types
of accidents. Every driver has
the responsibility to approach,
enter and cross intersections
cautiously to avoid accidents
that might occur because of the
actions of other drivers. These
actions include speeding, crossing
against a red light or a stop sign,
crossing a lane when turning and
19
Special Traffic Issue 2014
finish counting, your front
bumper should reach the same
object. If you reach it before
you finish counting, you are
too close. In adverse weather
conditions, such as rain and
fog, increase the distance
between your vehicle and the
vehicle ahead to a four- or sixsecond following distance.
coming from a blind spot. Follow
these tips to avoid an intersection
accident:
• Approach the intersection
cautiously.
• Drive defensively; always
expect the unexpected.
• Slow down, signal your
intentions and observe the
traffic around you.
• Never block the intersection by
entering it when you cannot
clear it safely before the traffic
light changes.
• Stop at red lights.
• If the light has been green for
some time, expect it to turn
yellow. Cross a yellow light
only if you are already in the
intersection and it is safe to
proceed.
• When the light is green,
proceed only if traffic has
cleared in all directions.
Avoid accidents while
reversing
All reversing accidents are
preventable. Check all clearances
when reversing, including
checking the rearview and
side mirrors, paying particular
attention to blind spots — the
area that starts about one half of
the car length behind the vehicle
and stretches far enough to hide
a vehicle. To back up safely, follow
these tips:
• Perform a “walk-around”
360° inspection of your vehicle
before you drive away. Children
might be playing around it or
pets might be resting close by.
• Back out with care, driving
slower than 22 km/h.
20
• Stop once after you begin
reversing to double-check
that no other vehicles or
pedestrians are approaching.
Pa n o ra m a
Stay clear of aggressive
drivers
The best way to avoid provoking
an aggressive driver and becoming
a target is to practice basic traffic
courtesy. Here’s how:
• Avoid tailgating.
• Use your horn sparingly.
• Don’t block the passing or the
right-hand turn lane.
• Don’t switch lanes without
signaling.
• Don’t weave back and forth
from lane to lane in traffic.
• Don’t flash your lights to signal
the driver ahead to move to
another lane.
• Don’t slow down in front
of a vehicle you have just
passed. Maintain a safe speed
according to the speed of the
traffic.
• Use the proper turn lane for
turning. Do not turn left from
the right lane or turn right
from the left lane.
• Don’t race to run through a
yellow light that’s about to turn
red.
• Be careful to turn headlights
from high-beam to low-beam
when meeting traffic or when
following another vehicle
closely.
• If you must drive slowly, stay
in the right lane; pull over
and allow built-up traffic to
pass whenever you have the
opportunity.
• Don’t inflict loud music on
neighboring drivers.
• Don’t take a parking place that
another vehicle is obviously
waiting for; don’t take up more
than one parking spot.
• Don’t stop in the middle of the
road to use your mobile phone
or talk with a pedestrian or
another driver.
• Don’t stop and block traffic to
allow passengers to enter or
exit your vehicle. Make sure
that others can get past.
If you notice that another driver
is targeting you in an aggressive
manner, don’t show a reaction.
Avoid eye contact and put
as much distance as possible
between your vehicle and his.
If verbal interaction takes place,
do your best to avoid escalation
of the conflict. Be polite and
courteous, even if the other driver
isn’t.