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The words and opinions expressed here are my own, and do not, in any way, represent the views of my employer (OnCourse).
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Anticipating Hazards from a Distance

Published February 4, 2019 By Mick Farmer

Anticipating road hazards

This is a photo I took a while back and highlights the importance of identifying /anticipating hazards from a distance. In this case, change in road, weather and light conditions. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving, Snapshots Tagged With: driving, hazards, snapshot

Key Benefits to Using Push-Pull Steering

Published July 1, 2015 By Mick Farmer

Push Pull Steering

Push-Pull aka Pull-Push Steering It's proactive: Hands are always in a position to make an immediate counter manoeuvre. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: driving, road safety

Use Dipped Headlights as a Proactive Driving Technique

Published June 26, 2015 By Mick Farmer

Dipped Headlights Comparison - With and Without

Being Seen Most organisations I work with have older /African spec vehicles that don't have daytime running lights (DRL) fitted. Therefore, I recommend using dipped headlights as a proactive defensive driving technique. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: driving, hazards, headlights

Why a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System is Important

Published May 3, 2015 By Mick Farmer

Tyre Pressure Monitor System - Monitor

A recent long trip reinforced the importance of having a tyre pressure monitoring system fitted.  The tyre picked up a roofing nail and the system warned of low pressure soon after. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: driving, Equipment, Pressure Pro, road safety, tyres

Speed Bumps, Hills and Mountains in East Africa

Published January 9, 2015 By Mick Farmer

Aggressive Speed Bump - Kenya

Twenty Years Ago... Twenty years ago I used to push trucks from Mombasa to South Sudan. The main roads at that time were in pretty bad shape. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Rants and Raves Tagged With: driving, road safety, speed bumps

Can You Spot 6 Hazards?

Published April 29, 2014 By Mick Farmer

Spot Hazards

This road scene may look safe; and it can be fairly safe as long as the conditions have been identified correctly … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: driving, road safety

Driving Murram Roads

Published April 15, 2014 By Mick Farmer

Murram Road

Some say that Murram roads can be as good as Tarmac. Never. Always dangerous; however good they look. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: driving, road safety

RSA.ie – Duty of Care to Drivers

Published March 27, 2012 By The architect

Duty of Care

RSA.ie - What the laws say. While drivers are responsible for how they drive, you as an employer have duties in helping to make driving for work safer. Three sets of laws influence driving for work in Ireland: Road Traffic Laws: the Road Traffic Act 1961 and its later amendments influence driving on public roads in Ireland. The Gardai, sometimes in collaboration with the HSA, are responsible for enforcing road traffic laws and investigating collisions and fatalities. Health & … [Read more...]

Filed Under: This and That Tagged With: driver training, driving, road safety

Defensive Driving: Knowing Your Vehicle Bubble

Published September 26, 2008 By Mick Farmer

Vehicle Bubble Illustration

To drive in such a way as to avoid being involved in an accident regardless of the action of other drivers or adverse driving conditions. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: driving

Understanding Target Fixation: Something Worth Looking At!

Published March 12, 2007 By Mick Farmer

cow crossing road - target fixation

Recently, I had a training experience, where I ended up with a couple of damaged ribs and an arm twice it's normal size. The objective of the training exercise was to learn to deal with looking at where you want to go in a high stress situation and not at the distraction. Unfortunately, the student who was driving at the time, didn't handle stress very well and drove the vehicle off the track and hit me with it. I was being the distracter at the time! When questioned afterwards all he remember … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: driving, target fixation

Preventing a 4wd Rollover on an Unsealed Road

Published June 8, 2006 By Mick Farmer

4wd Rollover - Landcruiser

A recent event has prompted me to revisit this subject. Fortunately, all involved were not seriously hurt but so easily could have been. Therefore, I believe it is important to address why this type of MVC occurs frequently and to seemingly "experienced" national drivers, the "old Africa hands" and newcomers alike? … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: driving, off-road driving

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