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PLANNING A SAFE JOURNEY
We all assume accidents happen because the driver is reckless, but this isn’t always the case. Accidents can occur due to the result of poor planning and a lack of basic preparation:

Plan Ahead Get There With A Clear Head
Proper planning will get you to your destination alive and with a clear mind. By simple planning, uncertainties can be anticipated and the risk of irrational decisions reduced.

Listed below are some of the things that will help you plan a safe journey.

Time Frame:
- Allow additional time for arrival. DO NOT rush, better late than never.
- Estimate traffic flow e.g. Is your journey during rush hour.
Driver Factors:
- Consciousness/Tiredness, ALWAYS have enough rest.
- Do not have a heavy meal before setting off.
- Do not take any medicine or alcohol during or before driving, DROWSINESS kills.
Road Condition:
- Highway or trunk road
- Pot holes / Malfunction traffic lights etc.
- Rest and Fuel stops
- Day or Night
- Speed Limits
Vehicle Condition:
- Engine Oil
- Radiator Coolant
- Brake and Gear Oil
- Tyre Pressure and Wear & Tear
- Front / Rear / Signal and Brake Light
Weather conditions:
- Drive carefully when it's raining

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SAFETY TIPS DURING YOUR JOURNEY
The following are some safety points to follow during your journey.

Cell Phones
If you are driving, keep your phone switched off. This is, by far, the safest approach. Use your voicemail or message service to access missed calls when you are able to stop or at the end of your journey. If you must use your phone while travelling, always stop in a safe place, or equip your vehicle with a 'hands-free' system.
Be aware that even when you use a 'hands-free' system, your mind will not be fully on driving but on the conversation, so keep calls as short as possible.

Seat Belts
Seat belts are the single most effective life saving device in the event of a crash - use it!

Always wear a seat belt if one is fitted in your vehicle, unless there is a valid medical reason for not doing so.
Belt up even for short journeys.
Check your seat belt fits correctly. The lap belt should fit snugly and properly across the hips and the shoulder strap should cross over the shoulder and across the chest. The seat belt should not dig into your neck and should not be worn twisted.
Encourage your passengers, front and rear, to wear seat belts, providing that they fit properly, and the passengers have no medical conditions that mean seatbelts can't be worn.
Standard seat belts will normally be unsuitable for small children and infants. Special booster seats or infant seats should be used for youngsters.

Excessive Speed Kills
Speed can affect driving in many different ways:

Speed reduces the amount of available time needed to avoid a crash or to stop the vehicle.
Speed extends the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation.
Speed reduces the ability of the driver to steer safely around curves or objects on the road.
Speed increases the likelihood of crashing.
Speed increases the severity of a crash once it occurs. (The energy involved in a crash is proportional to the square of the speed, so if the speed doubles the energy involved goes up four times.)

Recommendations

Drive within the speed limit and at a speed consistent with road conditions.
On highways/motorways always leave a 2 second gap between your car and the vehicle in front.
Always remember - SPEED KILLS

Alcohol
Alcohol impairs reaction time and alertness, making accidents more likely.
It is difficult to specify a safe amount of alcohol that can be consumed before driving, so our recommendation is don't drink and drive. If driving with friends to a function where alcohol will be served, select a 'designated driver' who will not drink and will drive the car on the return journey. (It's best to agree the 'designated driver' before arriving at the function.)

Tiredness
Many road traffic accidents are caused by someone falling asleep at the wheel. These mostly involve running off the road or into the back of another vehicle.

Avoid driving in the early hours of the morning, between midnight and 6 a.m., when your body would normally expect to be asleep.
Never set off on a journey if you're already feeling sleepy.
Stop for a fifteen minute break every two hours when making a long journey.
Avoid driving more than nine hours a day.

Tyres
A badly maintained or damaged tyre is more prone to getting punctured while driving, with the associated risk of loss of control of the vehicle

Check tyre pressures at least every two weeks. (This should be done when the tyres are cold, as even a short journey can raise tyre temperatures and pressures.)
Replace tyres with bulges, lumps, cuts, wear or tears.
Replace tyres where the tread has worn below the limit.
Use the correct type of tyres for your vehicle.

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IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT
Always stay calm. Make sure that everyone involved in the accident is safe. If injuries are sighted get help IMMEDIATELY from passer-bys and authorities. After the accident, you will need to get the following information:

Name and address of victims/witnesses
Registration numbers of all vehicles involved in the accident
Name of their insurance company
Note down the extent of the damages and/or injuries of parties involved
Do not commit on liability or settlement
Lodge police report within 24 hours

Notify your insurer immediately even if you do not intend to make a claim to protect both yourselves and your insurer for any liability that may arise out of the accident.

For more information on Road Safety visit Federal Road Safety Commission (http://www.frscnigeria.org/) and Road Safety Nigeria (http://www.roadsafetynigeria.com/index.html

Drive Safely & don't end up like one of these!