Songkran without the carnage
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha may have postponed the new regulations prohibiting passengers from riding in the cargo bed of pickup trucks and in the rear of single-cab trucks until after Songkran, but that’s no reason to go wild on the road during the upcoming holiday.
With the aim of cutting down on accidents, Chevrolet is offering 12 tips for a safe journey on the road home.
1.Plan ahead: Reading a set of directions, looking at a map or repeatedly adjusting a GPS device while driving can create a dangerous situation, so plan your route ahead of time.
2.Time your trip: Avoid driving between midnight and 6am, and between 2 and 4pm. Mental alertness tends to be reduced during those hours and crash researchers have noticed there is a disproportionate number of accidents – two to six times more – at those times.
3. Inspect, inspect, inspect: Start your drive smartly with a complete inspection of your vehicle. Always have a 24-hour emergency number handy for any roadside assistance you may require.
4. Buckle up: Always putting your seatbelt on every time you get into a vehicle. The simple act of fastening a seatbelt is one of the most important things drivers and passengers can do to ensure their safety.
5. Do not overload: A vehicle’s capability is reduced when overloaded, which can result in an accident. The braking distances for overloaded cars or vehicles will also increase and this also effects vehicle’s fuel consumption.
6.Keep your distance: Give yourself sufficient time to react to traffic by adding some distance between you and the vehicle in front. Stay in your lane as much as possible. For further assistance, turn on your vehicle’s lane departure warning system.
7.Avoid distractions: Keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, and refrain from using your mobile phone.
8.Get your rest: Never drive when you feel tired. Fatigue can significantly reduce a driver’s ability to safely handle a car. Being awake for 17 hours can hamper driving ability the same way a blood alcohol level of 0.05 does. Instead, rest and take a break for at least 15 minutes every three hours.
