Thanks to a number of recent incidents, road safety has been at the forefront of people’s minds in Cardinia Shire. While there are a number of measures that can be taken on the local government and state government levels to reduce the chances of accidents on the road, the final responsibility ultimately lies with individual drivers.
If you drive, you have a crucial part to play in ensuring that Cardinia Shire’s roads are as safe as possible. In this article, we’ll go over some concrete tips you should follow to do your part in supporting road safety across our local streets and motorways.
Secure vehicle insurance
Managing vehicle insurance cover for your car is a big part of upholding your responsibilities as a driver on Australian roadways. Whether you’ve just purchased a new car or your insurance renewal window is approaching, make sure to get a quote on your car insurance and choose a policy that fits both your needs and your budget. A good insurance policy will not only give you some peace of mind when you’re on the road, but also prevent financial disaster should you get into an accident.
It’s important to know what your auto insurance policy covers. For instance, most comprehensive policies are designed to cover some or all of the costs involved with repairing your car should you get into an accident where you aren’t found to be at-fault. Contrastingly, third party insurance policies only provide cover for damage to third-party property if you’re found to be at-fault.
In cases where you’re responsible for injury or damage to another car, some policies will also provide some level of liability coverage. You can clarify what’s exactly included in your insurance cover by speaking directly with a representative from your insurance provider.
Remember too that it’s a legal requirement to drive with insurance on Victorian roadways. Although your vehicle registration fees do cover standard TAC insurance cover, this cover is inadequate for covering financial losses resulting from serious motor accidents (i.e. vehicle damage, medical fees, etc.). Protect yourself and other parties on roadways by keeping your vehicle insurance up-to-date.
Only drive when you’re in a fit state to
The most crucial driving tip to keep in mind is to only hit the road when you’re in a fit state to do so. Operating a vehicle when you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs is unbelievably dangerous, both to yourself and to the other drivers you encounter. According to the TAC, around one in five drivers who are killed on Australian roads were found to have a blood alcohol concentration of greater than 0.05.
Not only can drunk driving put your life in danger, but it can also land you in hot water with highway patrol. A police officer can pull you over if they suspect that you’re intoxicated, and if you fail a driving under the influence (DUI) test, you can receive fines, driving license suspensions and even prison time. The extent of these penalties depends on factors like how much alcohol you had in your system, your age and whether or not you’re a first-time offender.
Drunk driving isn’t the only danger out there. Simply being sleepy can be incredibly dangerous when you’re out on the road. After a night out, the best course of action is often to park your car in a safe location and take a cab home. Paying a little extra for parking is always preferable to getting into an accident because you’re drunk or sleepy.
Become a confident, well-informed driver
Like any skill, driving takes practice to perfect. However, unlike most other skills, making a mistake when driving a car can have disastrous and, often, life-changing consequences. This is why practising in a safe, controlled environment is a must before you start driving on public roads.
If you’re a new driver, make sure to get lessons with a qualified driving instructor. Having an instructor sit beside you while you’re learning not only allows you to learn the fundamentals of driving, including when to give way and when to signal, but also gives you the confidence you need to hit the road in a safe manner.
If you already have some driving experience but feel like you need to brush up on your skills, or if you haven’t driven in a while, there are also free driving lessons available. Whether you’re a newbie or have been driving for decades, getting a little practice can’t hurt and, often, can be the difference between arriving home safe and getting into an accident.
Drive defensively, and always follow local road rules
Lastly, always practice defensive driving and follow the rules. This includes signalling early, avoiding reckless overtakes and understanding when you don’t have the right of way. While it can be tempting to cut corners to get to where you need to go more quickly, safety should always be your top priority.
It goes without saying that following the rules requires knowing them in the first place. As mentioned earlier, new drivers should always study with a qualified driving instructor before driving on public roads. Even if you’re an experienced driver who’s passed the driving test in the past, it’s still useful to brush up on the laws and regulations. Knowing the rules is the best way to ensure that you remain in the right at all times.
Stay safe on roadways across the Cardinia Shire
In recent times, there’s been a surge in road incidents in Cardinia Shire. A lot of this is down to irresponsible behaviour, such as drunk and reckless driving. If you have a car, it’s crucial to make safety your top priority.
In this piece, we’ve gone over some ways you can support road safety in Cardinia Shire. We all need to do our part, so make sure that you’re doing all you can to promote your own wellbeing and that of the other drivers on the road.
