Now the question revolving around potential hazards is whether or not congestion is the sole cause of road accidents. In reality it is the lack of awareness regarding identifying unsafe situations beforehand. What come handy while driving through congested and heavily trafficked roads, are confidence, regular reminders of how much you have worked. By-hearting these rules will help to assess and predict any unsafe situation ahead:
You could have your driver’s license renewed for over five times since you first started in this ‘line’ and yet feel a swarm in the guts when driving through the New South Head, Bondi road or the M1 motor way. These ‘busy streets’ are often a wild-child to the traffic regulatory and safety authority in charge and the federal government of Australia continues to watch out for any possible hazard to immediately omit and secure the roads for citizens and commercial vehicle drivers, alike.
What come handy while driving through congested and heavily trafficked roads, are confidence, regular reminders of how much you have worked. By-hearting these rules will help to assess and predict any unsafe situation ahead:
1. Correctly adjusting the side-mirrors
There are very few hazards that cannot be averted with good reflex. Setting up the die-view mirrors according to the dimension that you want to check while you are driving is an important way of boosting your reflexes. Any hazardous object will look closer in the mirror, buying the driver more time to assess.
2. Scan ahead
The ‘glance and stare’ is an efficient measure for easily identifying obstacles to your course. On the early days of gig work you might find it difficult to follow the map to the drop off location and keep a steady eye on the road conditions.
But it will grow as a habit with time. Always remember to glance in the rear-view mirror and along the horizontal plane of the bonnet, then scan sideways before bolting off!
3. Be colour careful!
Well, we wish Uber launched a colour code for the more stylish ones of us too. But for now let’s focus on the traffic lights. This might look too simple to fail at. But following the traffic lights should be in different ways at different situations. While driving through a busy road make sure to follow, both the traffic sign for vehicles as well as pedestrians. You would not want to put double safety at risk.
4. Check the lanes
One of the most crucial road-rules in Australia will be to follow the traffic in all the lanes. Be careful while driving on the super-highways and look out for heavier commercial vehicles on the side lanes. If you do not feel confident in keeping up with the speed always let the passenger know and slow down.
5. Indicator, Indicator and Indicator!
Especially if you are starting new, practice using the indicator before you set off for pick ups at least twice. Most importantly, follow the indicators of cars ahead at the intersections. Skid-breaking can lead up to heavy casualties in a bustling street.
More information and training guidance on being a safer, smarter driver is made available for everybody by the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Government of Australia, on tmr.qld.gov.au.
Why are unsafe situations increasing rapidly?
The rapid growth of the ride-share vehicle industry has emerged as a concerning component to road safety. Companies like Uber, Lyft, GoCatch and several others have introduced a flexible platform for ‘beginner level skills’. Alongside, one-tap-away cabs at any convenient time of the day is a relief for passengers. The congestion rising from individual pick ups on the same route at the same hour of the day distribute what five buses could carry into fifty average sized cars.
Now the question revolving around potential hazards is whether or not congestion is the sole cause of road accidents. In reality it is the lack of awareness regarding identifying unsafe situations beforehand.
Effect on rideshare drivers
What falls short is the practical experience of the gig workers who are often young students or part-timers trying their hands on getting some extra bucks. But in real life situations of danger, these ‘new-comers’ would be identified as ‘novice drivers.’ It can take years of experience for a driver to keep cool in a dangerous situation and calculate the risk of injury.
Of course it is only smart for ride-share partners to hang around the hot spots during peak hour. But it is not possible to tell situationally how many of them are well experienced and how many of them are new-bees. Also, this adds to the hubbub of the busy areas increasing congestion and traffic.
When you are driving rideshare the responsibility of safety is always double. Firstly, your own and then the passenger's. Be mindful while deciding where you want to get maximum pick ups from. Of course it is desirable to always opt for packed spots like the city center and that's where you should be careful about the pedestrian's safety as well.
Decide a comfortable speed, always avail the aid of a seatbelt and mandate it for the passenger's as well. You are not promising safety, you are committing to it.
