As mentioned earlier, Alia has compiled an excellent list of 10 things that driving schools should include in their syllabus. But there’s more to be added. Let’s have a closer look.
1. Hazard Lights During Rain
We simply cannot understand why do people still insist on turning on their hazard lights when it rains heavily. It is very dangerous as some drivers will mistake it for a stationary vehicle and possibly colliding into one. Some radio stations do remind their listeners not to turn on their hazard lights in the rain, but apparently some drivers missed that memo. Hazard lights should only be used if your car is stopped, preferably on the emergency lane of course.
2. Be Patient
Patience is a virtue, and it’s something a lot of Malaysian drivers lack. We have seen countless traffic build-ups at traffic lights, because of impatient drivers. There is nothing wrong waiting for another traffic light change. But yet, many drivers still drive through a red light, especially during peak hours. Some will even give you the nasty stare when you honk them, despite them being in the wrong! Come on guys, waiting at the traffic light has not killed anyone, so just wait for your turn nicely. Don’t beat the red light, nit’s not only illegal it’s very dangerous.
3. Quick Tap On Hazard Light as Thank You
Gotta hand this to the Japanese, as they are some of the most polite drivers around. Watch the video to find out what we mean by that. A quick double flash of the hazard light is used as a thank you-sign, which we feel should also be used locally. Alternatively, older folks will beep their horn once as a thank you gesture, but sadly, not many actually does this anymore.
4. Minimum Speed Limit
This is quite subjective by nature, but we feel that it should also be implemented. Too many traffic jams are caused by really slow drivers. What we mean by slow is that when the speed limit is, ie 80 km/h, these drivers will drive at 60 km/h, well below the 80 km/h limit. This slows other drivers down, and builds traffic up behind them. They should drive on the far left lane if they want to drive at such speeds. The same drivers also tend to overtake on the right lane, at 75 km/h.
5. Be Alert
Sadly, not many drivers are alert enough when they’re driving. Many times, we see accidents caused by inattentive drivers, who sometimes make very last minute moves that causes accidents. What irks us is that more often than not, these drivers are using their phone while driving, which reduces their reaction time if something should happen. Same goes while waiting at traffic lights.
6. Don’t Brake at Corners
Many people still make this mistake of braking while in corners, but in reality, it is very dangerous. Many times, drivers will realise they’re going too fast through a corner when they’re already understeering right into the concrete barrier. The correct way is to brake before entering the corner and gently pressing the accelerator through the whole corner. In the wet, it can get more dangerous, especially for vehicles not fitted with traction control, to lose traction through the corner.
7. Don’t use Left & Middle Lane to Overtake
Another cause of accidents are these bunch of reckless drivers who insist on using the whole road (left, middle, right lane) to overtake. This is far by the most dangerous and irresponsible way to drive. They risk crashing themselves, or worse, into others with their reckless driving maneuvers. All of this for what? To prove that they can drive better than others?
8. Don’t Be A Spectator
Another typical Malaysian thing. The moment an accident occurs, everyone slows down and tries to get a glimpse of the crash, a dead body, the victim’s car number plates supposedly for lottery purposes, or just to gawk a.k.a. ‘rubbernecking’. Thanks to these people, traffic gets held up, and builds up behind them. As Chris would say, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Move along!
9. Planning Your Journey Beforehand
Very often, we see drivers making very last minute maneuvers to jump into the junction/exit they were supposed to go in the first place. Again, this puts other drivers at risk. This, from what we deduced, is caused by bad route planning by the drivers. They don’t find out the route they’re supposed to take before starting their journey. Google Maps exist for a reason, Waze too, use it.
10. Don’t Block Other Drivers
Especially after coming out from an exit or a junction, please speed up accordingly. Don’t drive so slow that you hold up traffic behind you. It irritates the drivers behind, and worse, a road bully might come a’knocking at your windscreen.
There you have it folks, another 10 more things the driving schools do not teach new drivers. In case you missed part one, here is the link for it. Do you think that there are more to be added? If so, drop us a comment below. In the meantime you can read CW’s past feature on the worst drivers in the world. Let’s not become that shall we?
