Why Dash Cams for Road Safety?
One of Dash Cams Australia’s primary goals in providing Dash Cams to our customers is to increase overall driver awareness, protection and road safety in this country. We believe an informed, confident driver is a safer driver. We have definitely noticed ourselves driving more defensively when using Dash Cams in our own vehicles as well as receiving very positive feedback from fleet managers about their drivers using Dash Cams. By viewing extensive footage from Dash Cam users, and operating our own Dash Cams, it is easy to see and understand certain risks which you may not have been aware of previously. And of course, should you be involved in an unfortunate incident, your Dash Cam will provide real evidence of the truth should evidence become necessary. Furthermore, it is our hope that by recording more and more video evidence on our Australian roads, road authorities, engineers, governments and community leaders can generate a better picture of where traffic safety improvements and education need to take place.
Road Safety Tips
Our own observations of accidents caught on Dash Cams have led to the following list of driving tips. Most of the tips are common sense, but it doesn’t hurt to be reminded.
- Always look left and right before proceeding through an intersection when you are given the green light. Red light runners are a common cause of accidents at intersections.
- Don’t text and drive! It’s as bad as driving with eyes closed (plenty of Dash Cam video proves it). The text message or notification can wait until you have safely stopped.
- Easy on the accelerator. We are all guilty of driving too fast at some point on the road, but it is indeed true that slowing down can buy you a few precious seconds to avoid an accident or allow you to stop in time. Even if you are not speeding, stay under the speed limit in case the driver in front of you suddenly brakes – very common occurrence.
- Always be prepared for things to come out of nowhere. Other cars, pedestrians, children, birds, road debris etc…all seemingly “appear out of thin air.” Of course if you are consciously under the speed limit, your reaction time and stopping ability is greater.
- Maintain your vehicle regularly. This is to keep you and your loved ones safe, as well as other drivers on the road. Make sure your brakes work properly and your tyres are in good condition. Also, make sure you properly secure any loads you may be hauling. You’ll be surprised at the amount of Dash Cam footage of debris hitting windscreens from a trailer ahead.
- Relax! If someone cuts you off, breathe and let it go. Perhaps the other person is having the worst day of their lives. Escalating the situation is a no-win situation.
It is a well known fact that most drivers are taught to drive by parents, family members, friends or even self taught. This process is usually followed by learner driving school lessons. In Australia this test is little more than basic stuff, usually including a reverse park, 3-point turn and a hill start. If the examiner gives the thumbs up, now you’re licensed to hit the roads, unsupervised and experiencing the real world with very limited skills. Driving a motor vehicle is potentially the most hazardous thing a person will do on a regular basis. Statistics show novice drivers aged between 17-25 are overrepresented in accidents which must put the spotlight on Governments and the systems that they implement and manage. When you review Dash Cam footage online, questions must be asked about ‘driver’ behaviour, awareness, attitudes and the ability to safely manage a motor vehicle in all driving conditions. You wonder what purpose there is to doing a reverse park on a driving test when new technology allows some cars to park themselves. ‘Hill hold’ detects gravity, it will electronically kick in to stop a modern vehicle rolling backwards, so again the hill start is potentially outdated. Drive to Survive (Est. 1983) is the brains of driver training pioneer Ian Luff. Luffy or Luffman as he is known around race tracks is an Australian motor racing champion, media commentator, qualified mechanical engineer, motoring expert and he is seen regularly on TV. As Luffy says, “The culture of driving in Australia can be summed up with that Aussie cliché – she’ll be right mate. Unfortunately statistics show otherwise with road carnage costing tax payers billions of dollars. The mantra for ‘Drive to Survive’ is – saving our most precious resource – human life. Being involved in the post licence driver training industry since 1972, their team take individuals, company drivers on a life changing journey,” claims Luff. “No matter what vehicle you drive the three basic fundamentals are A – Accelerating, B – Braking, C – changing direction. At ‘Drive to Survive’ they maintain the ABC of survival is A – Attitude, B – Behaviour and C – Choice. “Life is about making ‘Smart’ choices and my team and I open people’s minds to a realisation that accidents don’t happen, they are caused.” “In fact 95% of motor vehicle crashes can be attributed to human error.” As Ian Luff claims, “I have never heard a person say – today is a great day to die, or be seriously injured which can be for life.” ‘Drive to Survive’ conduct many different levels of driver development and training programs. From defensive – advanced – performance, they even conduct Active Driver Safety on-site workshops for companies wanting to reduce risk and lower fleet operating costs. To review options, go to their website www.ianluff.com.au
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