Safe Driving Behaviour and Defensive Driving

Defensive Driving in Ghana

Safe driving is not only about knowing traffic rules — it's about how drivers behave on the road. Defensive driving means anticipating danger, staying alert, and taking actions that prevent accidents before they happen.

⚖️ Legal Requirement: According to Ghana's Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (LI 2180), every driver in Ghana is expected to drive responsibly, patiently, and defensively. Driving without "due care and attention" can result in penalties.
🛡️ What Is Defensive Driving?

Defensive driving is a proactive approach where a driver anticipates mistakes by others and takes preventive action to avoid accidents.

👁️
Anticipate & Observe
  • Expect mistakes from other road users
  • Constantly scan your surroundings
  • Check mirrors every 5-8 seconds
  • Watch for pedestrians and cyclists
📏
Maintain Safe Space
  • Keep safe following distance
  • Create escape routes around you
  • Avoid driving in blind spots
  • Position for maximum visibility
🎯
The Goal: Defensive driving aims to prevent accidents, not just obey rules. It's about taking responsibility for your safety and others'.
📏 Safe Following Distance
The 3-Second Rule in Ghana

To maintain a safe following distance, pick a fixed point on the road. When the vehicle ahead passes it, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three." You should pass the same point after counting to three.

3
seconds
Normal conditions
4
seconds
Wet roads / Light rain
6+
seconds
Heavy rain / Poor visibility
⚠️
Increase distance when: Driving at high speed, roads are wet/slippery, visibility is poor, following large vehicles, or carrying heavy loads.
🚦 Speed and Control

Safe driving requires adjusting your speed to match conditions, not just following posted limits.

⏱️
Speed Limits in Ghana
  • Urban areas: 50 km/h
  • School zones: 30 km/h
  • Highways: 100 km/h
  • Loaded trucks: 75 km/h max
  • Empty trucks: 80 km/h max
🌧️
When to Slow Down
  • First rains after dry season
  • Harmattan dust conditions
  • Near markets and busy areas
  • Unpaved or damaged roads
  • Around schools and hospitals
⚡
Important: Driving too fast for conditions is dangerous even if within the legal speed limit and can be prosecuted as careless driving under Regulation 150.
📵 Avoiding Distractions
📜 Regulation 107 Reference

Ghana's Road Traffic Regulations specifically prohibit using communication devices while driving unless they are completely hands-free. Violations carry penalties of up to 50 penalty units.

📱
Using mobile phones (unless hands-free)
🍔
Eating or drinking while driving
🎵
Adjusting radio/GPS while moving
😠
Engaging in heated arguments
⏰
Reaction Time: Distractions can increase your reaction time by 50% or more. At 50 km/h, you travel 14 meters every second — that's why focus matters.
🚫 Driving When Tired or Impaired
📜 Regulation 188 Reference

Ghana's regulations limit driving to maximum 4 hours without rest, 8 hours in 24 hours, or 500km without rest. Fatigue significantly impairs driving ability.

💀
Fatal Risk: Driving while tired has similar effects to drunk driving — slowed reaction time, poor judgment, and increased risk of micro-sleeps.
  • Do not drive when: Tired or sleepy, under influence of alcohol/drugs, emotionally distressed, or taking medication that causes drowsiness
  • Take breaks: Every 2 hours on long trips, find safe places to rest
  • Recognize fatigue signs: Yawning, heavy eyes, lane drifting, missing exits
  • Plan ahead: Get adequate sleep before long journeys
❌ Common Unsafe Driving Behaviors
🚗🚗
Tailgating (following too closely)
🔄
Sudden lane changes without signaling
😡
Road rage and aggressive behavior
👵🚶
Ignoring vulnerable road users
⚖️
Legal Note: Failing to report an accident you're involved in is itself an offence under Ghana's Road Traffic Regulations. Always stop and report accidents as required by law.
🙏 Courtesy and Patience

Courtesy isn't just polite — it's a safety strategy that reduces conflicts and prevents accidents.

👋
Courteous Driving
  • Use indicators early and clearly
  • Avoid unnecessary horn use
  • Allow merging and lane changes
  • Yield right of way politely
  • Acknowledge courteous drivers
😌
Staying Calm
  • Breathe deeply in heavy traffic
  • Plan for delays in your schedule
  • Listen to calm music if helpful
  • Ignore aggressive drivers
  • Remember: Arriving late is better than not arriving
💡
Fact: Courteous drivers have 30% fewer accidents than aggressive drivers. Patience and courtesy directly contribute to road safety.

Defensive Driving Summary

🛡️ Defensive driving prevents accidents, not just follows rules
📏 Maintain 3+ second following distance (more in bad weather)
🚦 Adjust speed to conditions, not just posted limits
👁️ Stay alert: Scan ahead, check mirrors every 5-8 seconds
📵 Avoid distractions (phones, eating, arguments)
😴 Never drive tired or impaired (max 4 hours without break)
🙏 Courtesy reduces conflicts and accidents
⚖️ Know regulations: LI 2180 covers care, attention, and reporting duties
🔄 Anticipate others' mistakes and have escape plans
✅ Safe arrival is always more important than fast arrival
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Safe Driving Behaviour and Defensive Driving

Safe Driving Behaviour and Defensive Driving

This test assesses your understanding of safe driving behaviour and defensive driving principles. It focuses on how drivers remain alert, anticipate potential hazards, and make responsible decisions to reduce risks on the road.

You will be tested on awareness, observation, speed control, safe following distance, and how drivers respond to the actions of other road users. Each question reflects real driving situations where good judgment, patience, and attention are essential. Read each question carefully and choose the option that best represents safe and defensive driving practice.

1 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Checking mirrors regularly helps a driver to:

2 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Which action increases road risk the most?

3 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

The most important responsibility of a driver is to:

4 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Defensive driving mainly helps a driver to:

5 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

A responsible driver should always assume that:

6 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Which action best reduces conflict on the road?

7 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Planning your journey in advance helps because it:

8 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Why should a driver avoid tailgating?

9 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Good judgment while driving means:

10 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Scanning far ahead helps a driver to:

11 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Why is patience important in traffic?

12 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

A driver who is emotionally upset should:

13 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Safe driving behaviour is best described as:

14 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Which behaviour best shows courtesy on the road?

15 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

A driver showing good road attitude will:

16 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

A safe driver uses indicators mainly to:

17 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Safe driving requires constant attention because:

18 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

When approaching a junction, a safe driver should:

19 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Fatigue affects driving by:

20 / 20

Category: Driving Behavior

Why is maintaining a safe following distance important?

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