Five major road hazards and how to avoid them

While speeding, drink driving and distracted drivers are top hazards on Australian roads, there are a few other sneaky dangers that experienced drivers should know how to navigate. Here are some tips on how to escape with your car, your life, and your driving record intact.

All drivers have an indicator … but some seem reluctant to use them. Typically, they will motor along in the middle of the road, then suddenly stop or turn.

Solution: While it’s tempting to use your horn, or your finger, the best accident-avoiding strategy is keeping a safe distance of at least three seconds from the car in front – four if you are driving in poor conditions.

With storms a common event this summer, flooding and fallen trees have made many roads dangerous for drivers.

Solution: In a serious storm, don’t drive if you don’t have to and never drive through floodwaters and never drive with bald tyres, or windscreen wipers that need servicing or replacing.

In heavy rain, slow right down – ideally take at least 10km off your usual speed. Staying alert, and taking larger roads rather than tree-lined, narrow routes, is also smart.

Find out more tips on navigating wet weather conditions here.

These gaping, teeth-rattling craters seem to be a common problem in country areas where many of us are now taking holidays. Unfortunately, hitting a pothole can damage your tyres, rims, suspension and chassis.

Solution: Don’t travel so closely behind another car that you won’t have time to take preventive action, or at a speed where you can’t safely navigate the hazard.

If you can, go around the pothole. If there is too much traffic, go slowly over it and hold tight.

Keeping your tyres properly inflated can give you some protection. If the worst happens, inspect your car for bent rims, or bulging tyres.

Who hasn’t been tailgated by an over-eager or aggressive driver?

The problem is two-fold – one, it makes you anxious or angry; two, if you should have to stop suddenly, the tailgater is likely to rear-end you.

Road locations where crashes, and deaths, occur regularly, are aptly called black spots. You can find a list of them, for all states and territories here.

Solution: While remedial action is planned to fix many of them, plan a different route for your drive to work, school, or social activities if you can.

Other hazards

For inexperienced, or less confident drivers, a number of other common hazards can lead to a crash. These include a child chasing a ball onto the road, a parked car door opening, or a vehicle merging suddenly into your lane.

Road experts say that scanning the road, to your left and right as well as the road surface and in the distance continually, is the secret of defensive driving.

Interested in upping your driving game, find out more on defensive driving here.

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