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Safe driving tips

Home Motoring Car & road safety Safe driving Safe driving tips

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The condition of your vehicle and how you behave on the road all contribute to a safe driving experience.

Car maintenance

• Have your vehicle checked over by a qualified mechanic on a regular basis.
• A vehicle in sound mechanical order is a safe vehicle.

Courtesy

• Be courteous and considerate to other road users.
• Watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Obey the rules of the road.
• Know your capabilities and drive within them.

Maintain the gap

• Maintain a two-second gap between your car and the car in front.
• The gap should be greater in adverse weather or visibility conditions.
• If you are overtaken, give them room to pull in.

Keep left

• Keep to the left, unless you are overtaking.

Indicate early

• Indicate at least 30 metres before you intend to turn, be aware of other road users and signal your intentions.

Anticipate

• Anticipate traffic flow. Position yourself in the correct lane in plenty of time.
• Avoid sharp braking and accelerating.
• Learn to read the road and drive smoothly.

Road signs

• Understand the road signs and obey them.
• Always stop behind the white line at stop signs.
• Stop for amber lights unless it is unsafe to do so.

Overtaking

• Don't overtake unless you are certain that the road ahead is clear.
• Don't overtake if you are approaching a crest, curve, intersection or a pedestrian, school or railway crossing.
• It is unlawful to cross a continuous white centre line.

Night driving

• It is more difficult to see and be seen at night.
• Adjust your speed to suit the conditions.
• Watch out for wildlife at night.

Speeding

• Speeding is a major cause of road accidents, drive within the speed limit at all times.
• Observe the 40km/h limit in school zones.
• If you are unsure of the road, slow down.

Drink driving

• Driving and alcohol don't mix.
• If you are going out for the evening and intend to drink, leave your car at home or nominate a non-drinker to drive.
• WA Drug & Alcohol Office.
• Drug Aware.

Drugs & driving

• Being under the influence of more than one drug, including alcohol, puts you at even more risk of having a car crash.
• A driver may not realise jut how much their driving ability is affected until they're in a situation where it's tested.
• WA Department of Health.
• Drug Aware.

Fatigue

• If you are going on a long trip, get a good night's sleep beforehand.
• Avoid driving late at night, when you would normally be sleeping.
• Don't drive if you are tired or feel stressed.
• Take regular breaks while driving and be aware of the symptoms of fatigue (sore or tired eyes, discomfort, boredom or highway hypnosis).

Seat belts

• Wear your seat belts, it's the law.
• Ensure your passengers are securely restrained and be especially aware of the need to properly restrain children.

Concentrate

• Don't become distracted by your passengers or what is happening around you.
• Watch the road ahead and be aware of potential hazards.

Slow down

• Leave plenty of time for emergencies (punctures, accidents etc).
• The faster you drive, the less time you have to react to hazards.