Identifying and Using Safety Products to Help You Navigate the Roads Safely in 2024

Speed Humps and Bumps

Although speed humps and bumps are slightly different, they all serve the same purpose: To slow drivers down and keep the roads safer.

When encountering speed humps or bumps:

• Slow down to speeds below 30 km/h
• Approach with caution
• Maintain a steady speed while driving over them to ensure a smooth passage

Convex Mirrors

Convex Mirrors are strategically designed with a curved surface that allows for a wider field of view compared to flat mirrors. This improved visibility is crucial for enhancing safety in areas with limited sight lines, such as parking lots, driveways, and blind intersections.

When you see convex mirrors on the road:

• Plan to come to a complete stop
• Look for the blind corner to navigate around by using the reflection in the mirror
• Move on when you have looked at the reflection in the mirror and checked your surroundings to see that it’s safe to move on

Buggy Whip

The buggy whip is a vividly coloured flag and LED illumination to make vehicles and equipment easily noticeable, reducing the risk of accidents. You will also often see this product attached to cars or bakkies that accompany abnormal vehicles.

When you see a buggy whip used on the road:

• Start to slow down and search for the area or vehicle that might cause the potential danger
• If the whip signals a truck with an abnormal load, keep a safe following distance and do not try to pass the vehicle in narrow gaps.
• Travel with patience and all will remain safe

Safety Cones

If safety cones are placed on the road it usually indicates any of the below scenarios:

1. There are road works on the go
2. There is a dangerous situation that needs clearing like an accident or spills
3. There might be a hazard that has not yet been fixed. Like a deep pothole, a broken down vehicle, or something lying on the road

That’s why when you see this road safety product it’s important to:

• Slow down and follow the suggested speed restrictions
• Be alert to all potential risks
• Warn others who might not be slowing down and might not have seen the upcoming setup
• Log what the cause for its placement is on apps like Waze to help others either when standing still at your destination or ask a passenger to log it for you.