Pass• Collisions do not occur at a fixed time or place. Road accidents cannot be predicted with certainty. They happen suddenly and often when a driver least expects it. This is why constant alertness is essential while driving.
• Accidents usually occur when one least expects them. A momentary lapse in concentration or a sudden change in road conditions can lead to a collision.
• Very few collisions are caused by vehicle failure. While mechanical breakdowns such as brake failure or tyre bursts can contribute to accidents, they account for only a small percentage.
• Driver error accounts for the majority of accidents. Statistics show that 90% of all collisions are caused by driver neglect such as speeding, distracted driving, ignoring traffic rules, or failing to keep a safe following distance.
• A vehicle is a powerful machine and must be treated with respect. In the wrong hands, a motor vehicle can become a lethal weapon. Careless driving can cause injury, death, or lifelong consequences.
• Understanding what a hazard is. A hazard can be defined as anything that forces a driver to change speed or direction. This includes sudden stops, sharp corners, reckless drivers, or animals crossing the road.
• Young drivers are more at risk. Research shows that drivers between the ages of 18 and 25 are involved in more accidents than any other group due to inexperience or risk-taking behaviour.
The Defensive Driving System (SIPD)
- Search — search continuously for potential hazards
- Identify — identify the type and severity of hazard
- Predict — predict how the hazard will influence you
- Decide — decide the safest action to take
SEARCH: When driving, we should continually scan the environment for anything that may cause us to change our speed or direction. This means keeping an active lookout for possible hazards at all times—not just reacting when something is directly in front of us.
• Forward scanning allows you to anticipate changes in traffic flow, obstacles, or signals ahead.
• Side vision helps detect pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles entering from side roads.
• Rear observation through mirrors and shoulder checks alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind.
IDENTIFY: When a hazard has been identified, ask: Is it a stationary or moving hazard and how will it affect speed or direction?
PREDICT: Predict how the hazard could affect you. Is it moving towards or away from you, and where could a collision occur?
DECIDE: Depending on your prediction, decide how to react to create as much safe space as possible between your vehicle and the hazard.
