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Take extra care on wet roads

Manus Christian, Vivo Energy HSSE Manager (Health, Safety, and Security & Environment) giving advice and tips on driving in wet conditions.

Manus Christian, Vivo Energy HSSE Manager (Health, Safety, and Security & Environment) giving advice and tips on driving in wet conditions.

Windhoek, 20 March 2014 – While recent heavy rains have brought much relief too many people in the rural areas, it also brings with it challenges on the road. The current wet conditions pose a serious risk for the many drivers that take to the roads to celebrate Independence in their home villages. Vivo Energy’s Health, Safety and Security & Environment Manager, Manus Christian cautioned road users to take extra care this weekend. Widespread rains are forecast for the weekend, creating hazardous conditions for travellers. Christian said Vivo Energy Namibia, the company that distributes and markets Shell branded fuels and lubricants, is committed to road safety and decreasing the number of road accidents. Against this background he said Vivo Energy Namibia would like to share a few safety tips for driving in rainy weather. He advised drivers to: “Take it slow; it takes longer than usual to stop or adjust in rainy weather. “Make sure that your car is in good working condition, check your tyres on a regular basis and replace obsolete or old wipers. “Adjust the distance between your own car and the vehicle in front so that you have enough time to bring the car to a stop should you have to. Maintain the correct following distance. Anything can happen and it is important that you maintain the correct distance from the car ahead of you.” “Turn on your headlights, not only will it increase visibility but it will also guide you. Be extra cautious when following a truck or bus. Do not drive too close.” “Be more alert” he stressed adding that it is always good to make pitstops and rest during a long journey. Finally, he advised drivers to focus on the road and keep distractions such as the radio off, saying “It can be very difficult to see out of the window or see other cars when it is raining, so it is very important that you stay alert and focused on the road ahead. Turn on your air conditioner if your window starts to fog over.” Christian added “We all need to be more vigilant when driving in rainy conditions.  Extra precaution can mean the difference between arriving at your destination safely or not.” Vivo Energy Namibia is one of the founding members of the Private Road Safety Forum (PRSF) and is committed to increasing road safety awareness.

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