{"id":12107,"date":"2023-12-28T17:00:49","date_gmt":"2023-12-28T09:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/aa-highway.com.sg\/?p=12107"},"modified":"2024-01-23T19:54:39","modified_gmt":"2024-01-23T11:54:39","slug":"be-prepared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glutenfreepleasure.com\/__proxy_domain\/aa-highway.com.sg\/be-prepared\/","title":{"rendered":"Be Prepared!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"The Overseas Safe Driving Forum 2023 emphasised being prepared \u2014 from pre-trip preparations and route planning to reading up on driving culture and road and weather conditions \u2014 as this could save your life!<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Organised by the Automobile Association of Singapore, the Overseas Safe Driving Forum 2023<\/a> <\/span><\/strong>was held at the Cassia Junior Ballroom of the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. Booths were set up by various AAS subsidiaries, such as those dealing with general insurance and adventure driving travel packages.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"A total of 160 people turned up for the half-day forum, where they were greeted and welcomed by Automobile Association of Singapore President Mr Bernard Tay. Expressing his delight, Mr Tay warmly acknowledged the attendees as \u201clike-minded road safety enthusiasts\u201d. He added, \u201cYour presence today shows your dedication to promoting road safety and the well-being of your loved ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

To underscore why this forum was much needed, Mr Tay, who is also Chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council, cited accidents that occurred in 2023 involving Singaporeans who were driving in Japan, New Zealand and Malaysia. \u201cMost traffic accidents could have been avoided if the drivers had been better prepared,\u201d he stressed. \u201cNumerous factors could contribute to such incidents, including inadequate pre-trip preparations and route planning, unfamiliar road and weather conditions, and different driving cultures.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Many of these factors were also addressed by the forum\u2019s speakers, some of whom had specially flown in for the event.<\/p>\n

IN-HOUSE SPEAKERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leading Causes of Vehicle Accidents<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Tay Chay Sim<\/strong>, Senior Technical Consultant, AAS Academy, offered some hard-hitting statistics. \u201cAbout 90% of vehicle crashes are caused by human error,\u201d he stated. He explained that crash risk depends on a number of factors, including environmental (e.g., driving during an unfamiliar season such as winter), vehicular (e.g. driving a rental car that is in poor condition or is an unfamiliar model), speed, following distance, attention level, and fatigue level.<\/p>\n

One notable factor contributing to human error is distracted driving, which poses a significant accident risk in the digital age. Mr Tay presented studies that show a 40% reduction in driving-related brain function when the brain has to cope with true\/false exercises while behind the wheel. And while talking on a hands-free mobile phone is somewhat safer than holding one while driving, just having a cell phone conversation \u2014 either hand-held or hands-free \u2014 diminishes activity in the brain\u2019s crucial driving-related areas. In fact, multitasking impairs concentration, decision making, and reaction time, particularly in inexperienced drivers such as teenagers. Mr Tay shared that it is therefore essential to prioritise road focus, avoid distractions, and ensure safety for all passengers.<\/p>\n

\"\"Other than distracted driving, Mr Tay also shared that driving in a foreign land requires additional preparation. \u201cSafety begins with pre-trip planning,\u201d he advised. This involves deciding\u00a0 where\u00a0to\u00a0go and\u00a0which roads and highways to take,\u00a0estimating how\u00a0long each leg of the journey is going to take, and locating rest stops and other amenities along the way.\u00a0In addition, you need to research weather conditions at the time of your trip, such as whether you will face ice or strong winds. It is also important to know whether you will be at high altitudes. \u201cIf you\u2019re going to be driving above 2,000m above sea level,\u00a0ask\u00a0your\u00a0doctor whether it is\u00a0safe for you\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0so.\u00a0Also, learn\u00a0how\u00a0to\u00a0manoeuvre\u00a0your\u00a0vehicle\u00a0in\u00a0these\u00a0kinds\u00a0of\u00a0terrain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Insuring Your Safety When Driving In Foreign Countries<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Hafiz Razif<\/strong>, Manager, AAS Insurance Agency, highlighted several must-have insurance features consumers should insist on. This includes 24-hour assistance, which allows\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0get quick\u00a0referrals\u00a0for\u00a0embassies,\u00a0legal\u00a0firms,\u00a0 integrators\u00a0and\u00a0emergency\u00a0medical\u00a0services\u00a0providers. It\u00a0also provides\u00a0assistance\u00a0for lost\u00a0luggage\u00a0and\u00a0passports.<\/p>\n

He also advised getting medical cover, making sure there is provision for medical evacuation as this amount is usually high, as well as terrorism cover which covers losses arising directly from a terrorist act.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

OVERSEAS-BASED SPEAKERS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Know Your Limits on the Roads<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Prof Dr Wong Shaw Voon<\/strong>, Chairman of the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), showed a chart on the number of people killed by various causes, ranging from shark attacks (four per annum) to traffic accidents (1.35 million per annum). Yet we seem to pay more respect to sharks than to road safety.<\/p>\n

\"\"Some other visuals he showed demonstrated the limits of human perception. One showed a group of big cats with camouflage fur coats, making it difficult for drivers to count how many there were. \u201cThis\u00a0is\u00a0what\u00a0we\u00a0call\u00a0human\u00a0limit; that\u2019s as much as\u00a0we\u00a0can\u00a0do,\u201d he stressed, referring to how long it took to count the cats.\u00a0\u201cNo matter how hard you train, you are still human and will never become a superhero.\u201d The theme of his message was that, as drivers, we should mitigate our physical and mental limitations and enhance them by early preparation before driving and staying focused while driving.<\/p>\n

Prof Dr Wong advised drivers not to be lulled by a false sense of security. For example, although talking hands-free on the phone is legal, it is still quite dangerous because of the intensity of discussions \u2014 which draws away the driver\u2019s attention \u2014 compared to non-hands-free phones. For members of the audience who were motorcyclists, he advised them to wear their helmets securely. \u201cOtherwise, it\u2019s as good as not wearing helmets,\u201d he quipped, after showing a video clip that proved his point.<\/p>\n

Sharing of Practical Tips & Experience on Road Trips in Thailand<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr Nantapol Khaimuk<\/strong>, Vice President (Adventure), Thai Ecotourism & Adventure Travel Association (TEATA), shared that some areas of Thailand are prone to natural disasters such as flooding, so drivers need to be aware and take heed of such reports.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span>Mr Nantapol also warned that locals, especially motorcyclists, tend to flout traffic rules, often riding against the traffic flow on road shoulders, turning from an outer lane, and cutting across gaps in the dual carriageway divider to make illegal U-turns. He attributed this behaviour to the mai pen rai<\/em> (it doesn\u2019t matter) attitude of the Thais. \u201cWhen placed in the driving context, it\u00a0means\u00a0that,\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0careful so\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0going\u00a0to\u00a0just\u00a0cut in\u00a0front\u00a0of\u00a0you\u00a0to\u00a0do\u00a0a\u00a0U-turn,\u201d he describes. \u201cThe\u00a0cops\u00a0will probably\u00a0be\u00a0lax and\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0enforce\u00a0the rules, so I\u2019m going\u00a0to\u00a0get\u00a0away\u00a0with\u00a0it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another highlight of Mr Nantapol\u2019s presentation was the news clippings of three traffic accidents that occurred in his country involving Singaporeans, with an elephant playing a significant role in one of these accidents.<\/p>\n

How to enjoy driving in Japan without traffic accidents<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Representing the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), Mr Yoichi Yamamoto<\/strong> shared that the number of Singaporeans visiting Japan has increased by 17.9%\u00a0since\u00a02019.\u00a0\u201cThe\u00a0risk\u00a0of\u00a0traffic\u00a0accidents\u00a0is\u00a0five\u00a0times\u00a0higher\u00a0for<\/p>\n

tourists\u00a0using\u00a0rental\u00a0cars compared to local drivers,\u201d he pointed out.\u00a0To mitigate this, he advised tourists intending to drive in Japan to familiarise themselves with road markings and traffic signs. \u201cThe JAF website, which is in both Japanese and English, is a good resource for this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Mr Yoichi also gave advice on driving in winter \u2014 \u201cI\u00a0think\u00a0you\u00a0all\u00a0are\u00a0interested\u00a0in\u00a0this the\u00a0most,\u201d he quipped.\u00a0He then screened a video of a car\u2019s braking distance over four types of road surface: wet, covered in snow, ice, and black ice. The third and fourth surfaces took the longest distance for the car to come to a complete stop. \u201cIt would be\u00a0better\u00a0to avoid\u00a0frozen\u00a0roads\u00a0as\u00a0much\u00a0as\u00a0possible.\u00a0But the\u00a0most\u00a0dangerous\u00a0surface is the one covered in\u00a0black\u00a0ice \u2014 it looks like a normal wet\u00a0surface but it\u2019s\u00a0a\u00a0bit\u00a0more\u00a0sparkly,\u201d he described.<\/p>\n

Challenges Tourist Drivers Face in New Zealand<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The first thing Mr Terry Collins<\/strong> did during his presentation was to invite everyone in the audience \u201cto visit\u00a0my\u00a0beautiful\u00a0country\u201d. The Principle Policy Advisor of the Automobile Association of New Zealand then shared some facts and figures about the road system there, among which it has 11,000km of state highway and 87 vehicles per 100 people. \u201cBut because\u00a020%\u00a0of\u00a0the population\u00a0are\u00a0under\u00a0the\u00a0age\u00a0of\u00a014,\u00a0we\u00a0actually\u00a0have\u00a0more\u00a0vehicles\u00a0than\u00a0adults,\u201d he quipped.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mr Collins added that New Zealand also has\u00a0a\u00a0lot\u00a0of\u00a0trucks\u00a0and\u00a0tankers, with\u00a093%\u00a0of\u00a0freight\u00a0moved\u00a0internally\u00a0by\u00a0trucks.\u00a0However, he insisted that these drivers are quite\u00a0courteous and\u00a0will\u00a0pull\u00a0over\u00a0for the\u00a0traffic behind them\u00a0to\u00a0pass.<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it\u2019s\u00a0much\u00a0harder\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0truck\u00a0to\u00a0start\u00a0again\u00a0going\u00a0uphill rather\u00a0than\u00a0downhill, the driver will often do this after getting past\u00a0the\u00a0ridge\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0hill,\u201d he said. He also advised drivers to give these big vehicles a wide berth, and to never overtake them when they are turning.<\/p>\n

Mr Collins also shared some unique things about New Zealand drivers need to be prepared for such as the fact that road conditions can change quickly, unmarked roads and wide-ranging daily temperatures.<\/p>\n

He acknowledged that his country was full of spectacular scenery that offered plenty of distractions for drivers. Rather than rubber-necking and putting themselves and their passengers in danger, drivers should take advantage of the numerous pit stops and car parks available around scenic areas to take in the views.<\/p>\n

Safe Riding in Urban Cities<\/a><\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hailing from the Netherlands, Mr Ferry Smith<\/strong>, a member of the Board of Trustee of the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), centred his talk on making things safe for urban residents on bicycles and other personal mobility devices. He revealed that these modes of transport are growing\u00a0in<\/p>\n

popularity,\u00a0especially\u00a0in\u00a0dense\u00a0cities\u00a0as\u00a0available\u00a0space\u00a0becomes\u00a0scarcer.\u00a0\u201cThis will become more apparent in the next decade as more people come to live in cities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Besides being the right size for city living, these modes of transport help improve quality of life for urban residents. Without cars, there can be more space dedicated to parks and other amenities, he pointed out. As they do not have emissions, they do not contribute to global warming and lead to cleaner air and better health.<\/p>\n

However, there must be certain systems in place before the widespread use of these devices. \u201cWithout\u00a0these\u00a0measures,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0really\u00a0dangerous,\u201d Mr Smith warns. \u201cIt\u00a0requires\u00a0a\u00a0combination\u00a0of\u00a0infrastructural,\u00a0policy,\u00a0educational\u00a0and\u00a0promotional\u00a0efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before municipal authorities\u00a0implement\u00a0cycling and other personal mobility devices into the local transport system, Mr Smith suggests they answer\u00a0three\u00a0questions to gain clarity:<\/p>\n