Road toll statistics are continuing to improve, with the latest release from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) showing a total of 102 road deaths occurring during May 2014.
The number of new motor vehicle sales in New South Wales fell slightly during May, according to the latest release from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
In total, May saw a trend estimate of 91,764 new vehicles sold throughout Australia. This figure has decreased slightly compared to April 2014. However, the seasonally adjusted estimate (92,410 vehicles) rose by 0.3 per cent when compared to the same month.
Driving for long distances can be an enjoyable experience. Whether you’re going on a road trip or simply trying to get from Point A to Point B, the experience of driving at your own pace can be a rewarding one.
However, driving for longer periods of time can also expose you to new hazards and risks such as driver fatigue. It’s important for everyone on the road to be practising safe motoring habits, and this is particularly true for those who have a long journey ahead of them.
With the winter months now here, there’s even more reason to drive safely at all times. Rainfall, snow and ice can add an extra element to the experience that drivers need to account for. According to the Transport for NSW Centre for Road Safety, in the year ended December 2012, wet surface conditions were a factor in 8,404 crashes. Of these, 51 were fatal, 3,162 resulted in an injury and 5,191 had no casualties.
Meanwhile, snow or ice on the roads was a factor in 80 crashes during that year, 28 of which resulted in injury and 52 with no casualties.
Every time you get behind the wheel of a car is a different experience. Whether it’s the route you’re travelling, the people you have with you, the conditions outside the car or the type of vehicle you’re driving, you need to be alert and aware at all times to ensure that every journey is a safe one.
For example, if you should ever need to drive with a trailer, there are some important safety precautions to keep in mind. A trailer is an added element to the driving experience that requires some extra knowledge and skill to tow safely.
All types of trailers (including caravans) can affect the handling of your car. You need to take into account the potential effects on fuel consumption, acceleration, braking ability, control and manoeuvrability.
Australia has become more environmentally conscious over the past few years, especially as we have gained the tools and technology to understand how we are impacting the earth. In particular, one issue that has come under the spotlight is the matter of vehicle emissions.
While cars, motorcycles and trucks help transport goods and people where they need to go, they can also contribute significantly to environmental damage through the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
It’s no surprise that young drivers tend to be involved in more than their fair share of road incidents. According to a report compiled by the Parliament of New South Wales, young and primarily male drivers are involved in almost 30 per cent of all fatal crashes and 29 per cent of all motor vehicle crashes – despite making up just 16 per cent of all licence holders. They are not aware of dangers inside the car.
Having a well stocked first aid kit in your car is a handy item at all times, because you never know when you might need to administer immediate care for yourself or others on the road. However, a kit that doesn’t have the right essentials isn’t going to be much use, so it’s important to create yours carefully.
When you’re out traveling, you never know what emergencies or unexpected events might occur. Even though it’s impossible to predict what could happen on any given day, being as prepared as you can will certainly go a long way towards your safety and that of other drivers as well.
Having a car means you can travel far and wide, over terrain both familiar and unknown. However, when you’re out on the roads it’s important to remember that different conditions will often require extra special care in order to avoid accidents and negotiate hazards successfully.
There are many factors that can result in a crash, from speed or driver fatigue to external disturbances on the road. However, some types of crashes seem to be more common than others.
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