​Section D: DRIVING UNDER SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Special conditions are:

  • Night driving
  • Driving in the Rain
  • Driving in Harmattan Haze
  • Driving in Misty/Foggy Weather
  • Driving in a Convoy

This means driving when it is dark. Night driving is discouraged because:

  • The road user cannot see far ahead unlike in daylight
  • In the event of emergency, help is not readily available
  • Security is uncertain
  • The driver may easily fall asleep

​Precautions

  • Motorists are advised to avoid night journeys;
  • Plan your journey ahead;
  • Ensure that your vehicle is in good condition;
  • Ensure that the driver is healthy;
  • Drivers should not drive under the influence of drug/alcohol;

​If you are dazzled by the high beam of an oncoming vehicle:

  • Do not do the same
  • Avoid looking directly at the bright lights
  • Slow down and keep an eye on the right side of the road
  • Stay close to the right side of the road
  • Look quickly ahead intermittently to determine the other vehicle's position, continue until you have passed the other vehicle

AT BEST STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE WITH DAZZLING LIGHTS PASSES YOU

What to do while driving in the dark

  • The driver should reduce his speed by at least half
  • Never drive at night with only one headlamp or with your parking lights
  • The driver should see and be seen
  • Dim your light while facing an oncoming vehicle

​Driving in the rain:

This means driving when rain is falling. When it rains, road surfaces become wet and slippery.

Driving in harmattan/misty/foggy conditions:

This means driving where there is strong wind, dust, mist, fog, thunderstorm, and other related conditions.

What to do while driving under these conditions

  • Put on your wipers;
  • Reduce your speed;
  • Ensure that your demister is functional;
  • Put on your headlights;
  • Dim your headlights in order to see and be seen;
  • Put on your hazard lights;
  • If visibility is poor, move off the road and park safely
  • Leave your parking lights on
  • Keep a safe distance from the distance in front of you

Driving in a convoy

This means driving in a group of vehicles travelling together, often with an escort for protection.

What to do while driving in a convoy:

  • Drivers must obey the recommended speed limits
  • Drivers must observe common sense following distance
  • Drivers must not constitute hazards to other road users
  • Drivers must drive on straight line
  • Do not drive on straight line
  • Do not get excited on being in a convoy
  • Being in a convoy demand attention and total concentration