Features to Pay Special Attention
While driving, you should pay special attention to the following:
- Other road users such as pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists, etc.
- Hand Signals or indications given by other road users
- Road signs and markings
- Type and condition of the road
- Parked vehicles
- Emergency vehicles
- Animals on road
Period and Locations to be Extra Careful
The complexity of driving often varies depending on time and location. This section deals with those period and locations where you need to pay more attention.
- Rush hours – It is common that people take more risks while driving in the rush hours. This sometimes leads to loss of attention and irresponsible driving. Hence, it is important for you to be cautious especially during rush hours.
- School zones – Often you will find many schools are located on both sides of the main roads. In general, school children are not good at judging the situations and taking appropriate actions when needed. They may not be able to perceive the speed of the vehicles, may rush into the roads, and get caught in the middle of the roads. Hence, it is your duty to pay special attention near school areas to avoid any probable hazards.
- Parking zones – In general you should give hand signals or indications when pulling out of a parking zone. Sometimes you may find vehicles leaving the parking lots without giving a proper indication, which may pose a danger to other road users. It may also be mentioned that parked vehicle sometimes restrict the view towards other road users, especially the crossing pedestrians. Therefore, you need to be careful and drive slowly near parking zones.
- Construction Zones – Driving near construction zone is challenging. You may find a sudden change in direction, workers on the road, limited road space, etc. at construction zones. In such situations, you need to drive carefully and slowly, following the informatory signs provided at a construction zone. Safety guidelines to be followed at construction zones has been discussed in detail previously.
- Intersections and Roundabouts – Intersections are the locations where vehicles meet from different directions. As a result, several vehicular conflicts are possible at intersections. The problems are much severe at the uncontrolled intersections where neither traffic police nor signals are present to control the vehicular/pedestrian movements. Therefore, as a driver, you need to slow down and drive carefully near intersections.