It is not easy to work, save and sacrifice to buy a motor vehicle and to have it taken away in the twinkling of an eye. It hurts, it’s depressing and, from the gut, it tears you apart. Edith Gardner, retired nurse, says that, if she came and saw an...
The old adage “Prevention is better than cure,” is timely, especially in today’s society. Prevention is not only better, it is less expensive. No motorist wants to have their vehicle broken down before, during, or after the curfew times have begun...
You are in heavy traffic and your car engine begins to boil. How would you feel? What would you do? How a motorist copes with an overheated engine often determines whether he keeps his car properly serviced or not. Whenever the temperature gauge...
The concept of patience is both a virtue and a necessity, especially in these COVID-19 times. Motorists ought to be, alert, aware, awake and exercise a great deal of patience as we traverse the busy streets. Some of us drive out suddenly, others...
What comes to mind when you see or smell something oozing from the tail pipe of a motor car? “This is poison, I don’t want to inhale that” answered Sophia Dean, defensive driver, educator. “This vehicle is polluting fresh air,” she adds. That...
Driving is a life skill. Your training and tests are just the beginning. There are a number of factors which create successful drivers. They have careful schooling in the fundamentals of defensive driving. “Successful defensive drivers, are trained...
How can our motorists cope especially with these existing restrictions? Are we making use of our time management skills? Well, Brendan Francis, a great writer, once said, “When you are deeply absorbed in what you’re doing, time gives itself to you...
Good car maintenance will have it singing a happy tune. When we own a vehicle, we expect it to provide us with excellent service. However, a car does not service itself automatically. We have to plan how and when to service such a valuable asset....
As defensive driving motorists, have you ever considered that anger is one letter short of danger? Have you ever felt the surge of anger blaze through your body when someone hurt your feelings? The causes of anger are complex. Even scientists admit...
Emergencies may arise even while we drive defensively on the roads. The MacMillan School dictionary describes the concept of emergency as, “an unexpected situation in which immediate action is necessary, often because of danger.” According to Keith...
Driving should be looked upon as an enjoyable and stimulating challenge to both mind and body. As the Methodist subtheme says “Caring for the body, mind and soul ….” When done safely, it can be one of the most delightful pastimes, even in this...
There is nothing amusing about a flooded engine. Worry sets in and no smile is evident on the face of that motorist with an engine that is flooded. “When a check valve is stuck, flooding of the engine occurs,” says Derrick Gentles, an experienced...
Collisions and traffic tie-ups create problems for motorists, whether morning, noon or night. A traffic tie-up could be as a result of an early-morning accident, an afternoon collision, repair work on the roadway, or a fallen pole and so on. “...
Vehicle safety is of paramount importance to any motor vehicle owner. Can you imagine having parked your vehicle and proceeded to carry out your legitimate business, only to return to find an empty parking spot? No one saw, heard or noticed...
The Christmas season is moving full speed ahead. The streets are getting busy. The motor vehicles are roving left, right, and across the shopping plazas. It would appear that some of our drivers tend to drive away many of the defensive driving...
The driver who habitually trails a few metres from the vehicle in front is known as the tailgater. “The danger of this type of driving is so obvious” says Kanute Hare, director of road safety in the Ministry of Transport. “If you should ever find...
When a driver slips behind the wheel of a motor car, he automatically becomes an important part of this complex machine. “If the driver is both physically and mentally prepared and ready to drive, the vehicle will perform at its peak” says Dr...
Like gear changing, the operation of the brakes of a car appears elementary. A driver simply steps on the pedal and waits for the car to obediently reduce its speed. In simple terms, how does the braking system work? It could be described in two...
Highway driving often seems quiet and routine, therefore drivers can be falsely lulled into thinking they have little to worry about. With various highways in effect or coming on stream, motorists should take the necessary precaution so as not to...
Driving is partly a social task. Like other social skills, driving requires skills in interacting and cooperating with people. The driving task includes all the skilled actions a person must take to drive a motor vehicle. These actions must be...
Trucks occupy a lot of road space. They can truly block your view when reading the road ahead. They differ in size, speed, and vehicle capability although some smaller trucks, such as pickup and panel trucks, perform much like motor cars. Norris...
What kind of driver will you be as you navigate the new norm? Are you a defensive driver, a weaver, a road hog, a speeder, or a tailgater? Driving should be an enjoyable and stimulating activity to the mind and body. When drivers follow the rules...
There is a sign that is quite noticeable on the roadways, and it reads, “Speed kills, kill your speed”. “We must think about it logically: more speed, greater impact; less speed, less impact,” stated Lurkent Hanson, a Gryphon-trained defensive...
Have you checked your car lately? Have you checked for safety, which will result in saving lives, precious time, and valuable money? “To prevent your motor vehicle endangering lives, we must ensure that it is in good working order,” advised Kurt...
When you observe yourself in a mirror, what do you see? Do you see a person you like? Do you see someone with talents and good qualities you appreciate and whose shortcomings you have learned to appreciate? How do you see yourself? Are you a safe...
