Driving tests
Sitting in the same position for a long period of time is a recipe for aches and pains, particularly in your back, hips, neck and shoulders. Setting your seat and steering wheel correctly can help minimise the risk that you’ll…
Being blind in one eye means you have monocular vision. This makes it much more difficult to: Judge depth (3D vision) – this is worse within around 10 metres of the vehicle, which makes parking an issue Judge the speed…
Around ten thousand people a year have a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (a mini-stroke) every year. A stroke can be caused by a blockage, such as a blood clot, stopping blood flow to part of the brain, or…
Forklifts are driven in environments which can be challenging for the operator, both physically and mentally. Employers (PCBUs) must take measures to reduce the impact of these. Industrial noise WorkSafe’s recommendation for the maximum average noise exposure in an 8-hour…
Despite dramatic safety improvements in cars, drivers and passengers continue to be injured because the laws of physics and biology cannot always be overcome. Rapid deceleration while being restrained by the seatbelts puts a huge strain on the human body.…
There is no law preventing a deaf driver from driving a private motor car or motorbike in New Zealand. However, deaf drivers may want to consider additional features to help them, where possible: Additional mirrors – these can be set…
The distance you should be able to see ahead relates to the amount of time you need to stop and how you can perceive the danger. This is affected by: Your eyesight Your speed The characteristics of the road ahead…
If you have pedestrian and heavy machinery traffic alongside truck movements in your warehouse or yard, you must have a set of health and safety rules and a site induction to ensure that accidents don’t happen. Truck drivers and pedestrian…
Forklifts that operate using LPG, diesel or petrol emit carbon monoxide when running; electric forklifts don’t have any emissions. If you operate a forklift in an enclosed space without any ventilation, carbon monoxide levels can rise to the point where…
It is still possible to drive with one arm, no arms, one leg, or no legs. Having a limb amputated does not invalidate your current driver licence. However, a doctor may require that you drive a specific type of vehicle…
In order to drive you must meet a minimum level of health. Every time you renew or replace your driver’s licence you must either declare yourself fit to drive or, in some cases, supply a medical or eyesight certificate. Some…
A brain injury need not mean the end of driving. Some skills can be regained or relearned, including driving. Getting back on the road again can improve independence for people who have suffered a brain injury. Driving requires a number of…
Now we’re starting to get into the warm weather you are more likely to be travelling places either on holiday or for day trips, and you will be losing water from your body more rapidly. If you don’t replace your…
At some point in your life you will take some medication. It might be for a headache or to alleviate the symptoms of a cold or virus, or it might be for something like high blood pressure. Certain types of…
What happens when you smoke and drive? The physical process of smoking The act of taking a cigarette out of the packet, finding your lighter and coordinating your hand or hands to light the cigarette means you are likely to…
There are a few techniques and therapies you can use to give you more chance of passing your driving test and in this article we cover hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy can be used to improve your confidence, reduce nervousness, improve your spatial…
The three main types of drugs are those derived from hallucinogens, stimulants and depressants. All have a negative effect on your driving ability. This quick guide will tell you the effects of common illegal drugs on your driving ability. Be…
Alcohol and many drugs reduce your reaction time and change your perception of what’s going on around you. This is what makes them dangerous when driving. You dramatically increase the risk of killing or seriously injuring another person (and yourself)…
If you are practising for your heavy vehicle licence you should consider also learning about how to reduce the potential long-term health effects of being a professional heavy vehicle driver. Professional drivers are at risk of a large number of…
We are often made aware of risks that professional drivers such as truck and taxi drivers are exposed to during their job. Driving instructors can experience similar risks, plus some others. Driving instructors spend hours in or on their vehicle…
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