How defensive driving can help avoid pedestrian collisions
Pedestrians are jumping in front of vehicles
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) issued a warning to road users that motorists should pay serious heed this Festive Season. The Fund says a trend is emerging in South Africa where pedestrians are throwing themselves in front of vehicles in a bid to lodge fraudulent claims with the RAF.
Pedestrians wait beside the road for a vehicle to pass slow enough that the impact is not fatal. The CEO of a driver training organisation, says:
“The RAF warns that they will not pay out fraudulent claims or claims that result from purposely involving oneself in a collision."
Even with a dashcam, the financial and emotional impact of colliding with a pedestrian cannot as easily be undone.
How defensive driving can help avoid pedestrian collisions:
- Awareness: always be aware of all cars, obstacles and people surrounding you. Drivers should never be surprised by a pedestrian suddenly stepping into the road, purposefully or otherwise.
- Anticipate: normally, actions of other drivers or people are clear well before they make a move. Anticipate the actions of fellow road users and adjust your driving immediately. Pedestrians with nefarious motives may hide on the roadside making it necessary to pay extra attention to the shoulder and always be ready to take evasive action.
- Do not speed: while these individuals are alleged to wait for vehicles to slow down, speeding reduces the time to respond should something unexpected happen. Additionally, if someone has never driven a vehicle before, it is easy to misjudge the speed of oncoming cars.
- Avoid distractions: always stay off your phone, no matter the circumstances. When there may be pedestrians with bad intentions, do not do anything that takes your eyes from the road and rather get passengers to assist.
- Safe following distance: adequate following distances provide both time to spot pedestrians on the roadside and react should they step into the road.
Additional tips to stay safe:
- Unless necessary, avoid driving at night.
- Purchase a dashcam – these can be relatively inexpensive and be worth the expense should something happen, and you face legal consequences.
- Never drink and drive – even one drink leaves you in a precarious position in this scenario.
- Ensure your vehicle maintenance is up to date. You need your lights, tyres and brakes to work properly in all circumstances but especially in an emergency.
- Know how ABS works and what you should do should you have to undertake emergency braking.
*Information provided by the publicist
