Most of us don’t think twice about getting in the car. It’s heading between jobs, picking up materials, grabbing food, heading home after a long day. You’ve done it a hundred times before, so you don’t really think about it.
And that’s kind of the point.
Across Australia, around 1,300 people lose their lives on the road every year, with tens of thousands more seriously injured. It doesn’t usually happen on big, unfamiliar trips, it happens on the routine, everyday ones.
That’s why National Road Safety Week (17-24 May) exists. To get people to stop for a second and think about how they’re driving.
If you’re on the road a lot, it’s easy to slip into autopilot, but that’s when small changes start creeping in. You know the routes, you know the routine, but that’s when small things start creeping in.
So, in light of National Road Safety Week, here are a few reminders to keep yourself, and everyone else, safer on the road.
Leave more space
Aim for at least a three-second gap between you and the car in front. It gives you time to react and the space you need if something changes ahead. This matters even more if you’re towing or carrying heavier loads, where stopping distances increase quickly.
Give yourself more time and don’t push through fatigue
Running late happens. But trying to make up time on the road rarely ends well. Leaving earlier, even by ten minutes, can take the edge off those rushed decisions.
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Early starts, long hours and back-to-back jobs can take their toll. Fatigue is one of the biggest risks on the road, and it creeps in faster than you think. If you’re feeling it, take a break. Pushing through just isn’t worth it.
Secure your load properly
Utes and vans are the backbone of the trade, but loose tools or materials can quickly become dangerous. Not just to you, but to anyone around you. Make sure everything is strapped down and stored properly before you head off anywhere.
Cut the distractions
Phones, job updates, navigation – there’s always something competing for your attention. Set things up before you drive and keep your focus where it belongs.
Adjust to the conditions
Roads aren’t always predictable. Early mornings, wet weather, roadworks or regional driving can all change conditions quickly. Slow down and adjust to what’s around you to avoid any unwelcome surprises.
Look after your vehicle and stay across the basics
A well-maintained vehicle is a safer vehicle. Regular servicing, tyre checks and keeping an eye on warning signs can help prevent issues before they become real problems.
It’s also easy to relax on the basics over time. Road rules aren’t set and forget, it’s the small things that tend to slip; like speed limits, phone use, following distances, passing cyclists. A quick refresh, even just checking your state road authority website, helps reduce risk for everyone.
Take the pledge
Take a moment to make your commitment this National Road Safety Week. Make the pledge here and join thousands of Australians choosing to drive so others survive.
Because safer roads start with all of us, and the best result of any workday is making it home safely.
SG Fleet is a proud sponsor of Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group and supporter of National Road Safety Week.
