Drivers warned again against speeding, fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance

Road safety officials continue to warn motorists about the dangers of speeding, driver fatigue, and poor vehicle maintenance, as concerns grow over the increasing risks on the nation’s roadways. The issues were highlighted during the latest edition of the programme ‘Road Safety and You’, where Chairman of the National Road Safety Council, Earl Lambert and Sergeant Hemerding of Regional Division 4C, East Coast Demerara (ECD) discussed several common but dangerous practices among drivers. During the programme, Lambert stressed that many motorists fail to recognise that driving requires full physical, emotional and mental alertness at all times. “Driving is work. It is tiring. It takes a person in good physical, mental, and emotional condition to be a good driver,” Lambert stated.

He warned that fatigue significantly affects a driver’s ability to react and concentrate while operating a vehicle. “When you are tired, you can’t drive as well as you do when you are rested,” he said. Lambert explained that prolonged driving without rest can slow reaction time, reduce concentration and even cause drivers to momentarily fall asleep behind the wheel. “Extreme fatigue may lead to moments of dozing behind the wheel. Driving under these conditions can be disastrous,” he cautioned. Motorists were advised to take regular breaks during long journeys, avoid driving while emotionally distressed, and stop driving immediately if drowsiness develops. “Drowsiness is the first step in falling asleep. Stop driving when you feel drowsy. Don’t try to fight it,” Lambert urged.
The programme also addressed the dangers associated with poor vehicle maintenance, especially during periods of heavy rainfall. Lambert encouraged motorists to routinely inspect tyres, brakes, steering systems and vehicle lights before travelling. “Any defect which may affect the safe operation of the vehicle should be corrected as soon as possible,” he said while discussing the importance of regular maintenance. He also warned drivers against operating vehicles with defective or worn tyres. “Don’t drive with bald or badly worn tyres,” Lambert cautioned. According to the road safety official, worn tyres increase the risk of hydroplaning during rainy conditions because they are unable to effectively remove water from the road surface. Sergeant Hemerding also urged drivers to reduce their speed whenever roads are wet. “I need to reduce your speed because whenever the road is wet the vehicle wheel traction tends to decrease,” the traffic rank stated.
He further advised motorists to maintain safer following distances between vehicles during rainy weather. “You can keep at least out of three vehicles distance apart from the vehicle in front of you in order for you to be safe in event of any swerve,” he explained.