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Scenes from Total Drive City’s Public Launch. Conquering Manila with the first live traffic challenge to increase awareness of road safety in the Philippines. 

Drive City pitted a mix of professional taxi drivers and non-professional driver-navigator teams against each other in a showcase of street smarts all over Metro Manila. The goal was to display the best defensive driving techniques, as opposed to conventional motor sports, which only focuses on speed.

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Total Drive City's public competition winners.  A team composed of Kat Tan and Randy Tolete took home the championship trophy after a stellar performance that garnered a score of 96.5%; sisters Kate and Christine So took 2nd place with 95.8%, followed by 3rd placers Paolo Cosico and Manuel Panaligan, who trailed behind by just .6% with 95.2%.  Ultimately everyone walks out a winner because we become more aware and knowledgeable of our road rules and traffic violations. Congratulations to everyone and remember drive safely! 

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Conquer Manila. Conquer the Game. This is Total Drive City. Here's some footage from the first live traffic driving competition as they go through test points and pit stop challenges.

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Scenes from Total Drive City's Public Launch. Conquering Manila with the first live traffic challenge to increase awareness of road safety in the Philippines.  Drive City is unlike any motorsport that’s been done before. The objective is to go through all the checkpoints without breaking any road rules.

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Driving safe leads to fuel savings

Responsible driving should not only lead you to your destination safely but should also save you a significant chunk of your fuel budget. Here are a few fuel-saving techniques that you might want to start practicing from this day forward.

1. Do not rev your engine once started. Wait until the engine has warmed up.

2. Avoid jack-rabbit starts, take-off, and sudden stops. Gradual acceleration saves fuel and minimizes wear and tear.

3. Keep proper air pressure in tires. Incorrect tire pressure reduces gasoline mileage, wears out tires faster and makes vehicle handling difficult.

4. Shift to high gear as soon as you can and stay there as long as you can. Low-gear speed consumes much more fuel than high-gear speed.

Sources:

Fuel Saving Tips for Drivers

Fuel Saving Tips

Top 10 Fuel Saving Tips

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Right of Way Rules

One thing that drivers need to keep in mind when manning the wheel is to responsibly share the road with both pedestrians and other motorists to avoid road mishaps. Which vehicle has the right to proceed first in an intersection? Which needs to stop and give way to pedestrians and their fellow motorists?

Remember that there are right of way rules that have been put in place for everyone to follow. Learn to give way to emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, police patrol cars, as well as to private vehicles who might be racing against time to rush somebody to the hospital.

Here are some of the right of way rules that you need to know:

1. First Time Vehicle Rule

At all intersections without “stop” or “yield” signs, slow down and prepare to stop. Yield to vehicles already in the intersection or about to enter it.

2. Same Time Vehicle Rule

At all intersections without “stop” or “yield” signs (or with stops in all directions), yield to the vehicle on your right if it has reached the intersection at the same time as your vehicle.

3. Stop Signs

Stop at any limit line or crosswalk. Yield to all approaching vehicles and proceed with caution only when it is safe for you to cross. Approaching vehicles should slow down and allow you to get across safely.

4. Left Turn

Signal left turn and yield to approaching traffic until it is completely safe to finish the turn.

5. Rotunda

Vehicles around the rotunda have the right-of-way over vehicles which are just about to enter.

When entering a highway from a driveway, yield the right-of-way to traffic on the highway. Never insist on taking the right-of-way if other drivers are not following the rules, let them have the right-of-way even if it belongs to you to prevent possible accidents. However, do not always insist on others going ahead of you as slowing and stopping may delay the flow of traffic.

Sources:

Signs, Signals, and Markings - Right-of-Way Laws

Who has the right of way?

Right of way Rules

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Proper Use of Brakes

Proper braking is an integral element that separates the experienced drivers from the rookies. A driver who knows how to stop and step on the brakes and then move forward in a smooth, uninterrupted manner can avoid any road mishap with ease.

When braking, the last thing you want to do is to stop abruptly and rock the people riding with you inside the vehicle. Proper braking includes developing a sense of timing and getting a feel of how to apply the right pressure on the brakes whenever the situation calls for it.

Braking basics

Before applying the brakes, check your side and rear view mirrors for traffic (vehicle or pedestrian) that may be following too close behind you.

Take your right foot off the gas pedal and step on the clutch pedal using your left foot to avoid the car from jerking and prevent the engine from stalling.

Make sure that you have enough space between your feet so that you won’t have a difficult time applying pressure on the pedals separately.

Apply smooth, firm, and constant pressure on the brakes by gradually stepping on the pedal using your right foot (toes) and keeping your heels firmly planted on the floor.

Keep your foot on the brake pedal and shift to neutral.

Once the vehicle has finally come to a stop, release your foot gradually by lifting your toes from the brake pedal.

Remember that in braking, your goal is to neither overshoot nor undershoot your desired stopping point. This can be done by judging the size and weight of your vehicle against the speed at which your vehicle is running, your maneuvering space, and road surface and condition.

Constant practice behind the wheel is needed to get a feel of the vehicle and how it responds to you.

Drive safely and responsibly!

Sources:

How to brake properly

The Art of Braking - Learning the Proper Braking Technique

Braking Techniques

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Steering safely: the most overlooked driving skill

Steering safely is one fundamental skill that people learn when studying how to drive, and is perhaps the skill that most people associate with operating a vehicle. Just ask anybody to act out driving—chances are, they’d hold their hands up in the air and pretend to steer an imaginary steering wheel.

Because it looks really simple, many drivers often pay no importance to steering safely. But don’t make that mistake; virtually all the other driving skills like parking, cornering, and  overtaking rely heavily on one’s ability to steer in a fluid but precise manner.

In order to be able to have control of the car, the driver must be sitting in the correct comfortable position in relation to his size. Adjust your seat so that you may rest your hands comfortably on the steering wheel. Sitting too far back will force you to stretch your arms out that they’d tire easily, while sitting too near will leave little space for your arms to move—a dangerous situation be in when faced with challenging driving conditions.

When turning, your hand which is in the direction you are going should pull down while the other hand allows the wheel to pass through. When driving on rough terrain, the other hand can help by pushing the wheel upward to steer safely. Avoid crossing your arms over one another, as this limits your ability to adjust quickly.

When transferring from one lane to another, or when pulling in after overtaking, the turn should be gradual and never a sudden swerve which may result in skidding.

Always keep your eyes on the road, and hands on the wheel. Don’t forget to use your turn signals.

Drive safely!

Sources:

Steering clear of trouble

Stopping and Steering are Keys to Driving Safely

'10 and 2' no longer a safe way to hold steering wheel By Scott Gutierez

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How to let others overtake safely

Passing vehicles is one of the most dangerous but essential driving maneuvers that every motorist must master. It is a unique skill because it requires two (or more) motorists to coordinate, in order to prevent road mishaps.

According to PNP-Highway Patrol Group Spokesperson Edwin Butacan, poor overtaking skills cause many road accidents every year—some of them resulting into deaths.

But while most people know the basics of passing another vehicle, some drivers often overlook the importance of knowing how to let others pass them. Safety, after all, requires participation from both drivers involved.

Here are some things to remember when letting others overtake safely:

1)     It is illegal to speed up when being passed. Continue at the same speed, or reduce your speed.

2)     Help other drivers to overtake safely. Move to the right side of your lane to give the other driver more room and a better view ahead.

3)     Be prepared to brake, just in case the other vehicle suddenly cuts back in front of you.

4)     At all times, show the passing driver the same courtesy that you would expect from other drivers.

Just remember, being overtaken is not a sign of incompetence—it’s a chance to show others how to practice road courtesy! Keep in mind that it always requires participation from all drivers involved. Don’t just overtake safely; let others pass you safely as well!

Sources:

Safe Overtaking and Road Safety

Overtaking... Over and Out?

Road Safety Information

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Keys to Safe Driving

Every person on the road has an obligation to keep themselves and other people safe and free from harm. Proper knowledge and understanding of basic traffic rules and safe driving techniques entail one’s focus and full concentration on the task at hand.

Here are some defensive driving techniques that drivers can find useful as they share the road with fellow motorists and pedestrians.

The slower, the better. Driving experts will tell you, time and again, that slow driving gives you more control of your vehicle. Control, both physically and mentally, is a very important key to safe driving. Always adhere to the speed limits imposed on the road, especially when driving along busy streets where both cars and pedestrians tend to cut your path from time to time.

Keep your hands off anything, except from the wheel. Avoid internal distractions while driving. Always keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. Make sure that your seat and mirrors (rear view and side mirrors) are properly in place before you turn on that engine so you won’t have to adjust them as you man the wheel. Avoid using mobile phones, earphones, and other unnecessary devices while driving. ‘

Put a firm grip on that wheel. Always keep both hands on the wheel. Secure a firm grip by placing your hands at the nine o’clock and three o’clock positions of the wheel.

The two-second rule. Trust nobody on the road. Expect nothing but problems from anyone especially from your fellow motorists. To avoid getting in involved in any untoward incident, keep your distance from vehicles in front of you by using the two-second rule. Find one landmark on the street (lamp post, fire hydrant, or even a food cart) and make sure that the vehicle you are trailing passes that landmark at least two seconds before you do. This will give you enable you to drive at a safe distance while also providing you time to react to any situation.

Avoid driving when tired, angry, or sad.Natural alertness and your level of concentration are decreased when you feel tired, mad, or a little depressed. Emotional, serious, and frustrating conversations might distract you while driving. Do so only after you have parked your car so that everybody gets to their destinations safer.

Sources:

Defensive Driving Techniques

Seven Defensive Driving Techniques That Could Save Your Life by Jean Littman 

13 tips for defensive driving

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Do the B.L.O.W.B.A.G. Check!

Going on a road trip using your own vehicle can be a very rewarding getaway idea. It lets you decide your own pace and allows you to experience places more closely. But unlike taking public transportation, you need to take extra precautions to ensure that your trip won’t be mired by technical problems.

Before heading out on a road trip, be mindful that car safety is a priority. Making this easy, remember to do the B.L.O.W.B.A.G. check:

B – Brakes

Is the brake fluid near the “max” level? Are your pads not worn out yet?

L – Lights

Do your headlights, taillights, park lights, and turn signals switch on when they’re supposed to?

O – Oil

Check your dipstick if your oil is still at the desired level. Are you due for an oil change?

W – Water

Is your radiator filled with water? Also, do you have enough for your windshield washer?

B – Battery

Do you have enough battery fluid? Check the battery terminals to make sure they are free from corrosion too.

A – Air

Are all of your tires (including the spare) properly inflated? Do these still have enough traction?

G – Gas

Do you have enough gas for the trip? If not, make sure you fill up at a TOTAL station near you.

Always remember, nothing beats safety behind the wheel. Wear your seat belt, keep your eyes on the road, and always follow traffic rules.

Drive safely!

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CAMPI reps win PH's first road safety driving competition

TAGUIG, Philippines—A team of two representatives from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) bested 9 other mixed teams from the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), Autohub, Kotse.com, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Nissan Motor Philippines, Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), Safety Organization of the Philippines  (SOPI), and Smart Driving School at the Drive City kick-off last July 15. “It's a huge recognition for a safety consultant like me,” says Ronald Canicosa, who won first place along with Albert Concepcion, also from CAMPI. The pair won the top spot after their driving and navigation skills rated best in the country's first ever live-traffic driving competition based on safety.

   (Click image to enlarge)  

Organized by Total (Philippines) Corporation as part of its campaign to promote road safety, Drive City took drivers through a technical route across Metro Manila, where they were given tasks that challenged their road safety skills. Unlike usual driving competitions that places emphasis on speed, Drive City focuses on strategy, driving style, and safety. “Safety is a commitment here at Total and in the country, road safety is, sadly, taken for granted. This is why Drive City aims to promote greater awareness on the importance of road safety and ultimately, strengthen our community of safe road users,” says Malou Espina, Total (Philippines) Corporation Manager for Corporate Communications. In the Philippines, statistics from the MMDA and the PNP-HPG reveal that a total of 1,833 persons were killed, while almost 29,000 people were injured in the 85,820 road accidents recorded in 2011. In relation to this, road accidents have also been ranked by the Department of Health (DoH) as the fourth top cause of death in the country, next to heart disease, leukemia, and cancer.[1] Following the success of Drive City's initial leg with government agencies and industry partners, Total is set to bring the revolutionary competition to the general public. “Driving like a pro means driving safely,” says Espina. “So we encourage every Filipino driver—both private and public—to bring their A-Game on the road and conquer the streets of Metro Manila…one traffic

[1] “ADB warns of rising road accidents,” Business World, April 10, 2012 (http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Motoring&title=ADB-warns-of-rising-road-accidents&id=49704 

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So disturbing.. another hall of shame

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Driving is a competition

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So disturbing.. another hall of shame