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Driving Courses Designed For African Roads

OnCourse Driving Newsletter - Issue: November 2002

Dear Reader, 
There are a number of updates on our web site including new road safety and security articles. I have also included a survey this month and would love to hear your views.

The Incident Room has not only been redesigned but also updated. I hope you continue to find it useful and if you have any suggestions on improvements or topics you would like to see covered, please drop me a line.

Prevent A Roll-Over On Unsealed Roads

Prevent A Roll-Over On Unsealed Roads

By Mick Farmer.

Having rolled a vehicle back in my early days working upcountry in Uganda, I learnt the hard way about the dangers of unsealed roads. Since that time I've treated this very dangerous road surface with the utmost respect.

CAUSE OF ROLL-OVER: There were various contributing factors to the rollover and they were all due to driver error. At the time, I was blaming everything else except myself!! With hindsight I was lucky to have kept my job. Before I go into the details of the rollover let me go back in time a bit.

I came out to Uganda to work with an NGO taking food relief into Southern Sudan. I was based in the North Western tip of Uganda in a small town called Koboko, bordering the Sudan and then Zaire. The only time I had driven a 4wd vehicle before was when I was in the Air Force and that was just driving a Land Rover around an Airfield on good tarmac tracks. Read More>>

Security report updates

Security Updates

We have had a few new updates this month on the incident room. There seems to be a few new trends appearing, specifically, there is a tendency for hostage taking, in order, to prevent the victim from contacting the police until after the vehicle has reached the border. The second is due to the crack-downs in Kampala, carjackers are moving outside the city to find there targets.

That means, when on safari or operating outside of the city, take the time to identify "safe havens" along your route. Places where, if you see something suspicious or think you are being followed, you can pull off into - i.e. Petrol Stations, Police, Shops, Market Areas, Etc. As I mentioned in last months newsletter, planning is one of the most important aspect to safe and responsible driving.

New markets for stolen vehicles are also opening up - Zambia, and Angola being the latest destinations. Also, just a reminder, if you have been involved in a vehicle related crime - even if it was over 6 months ago - please take the time to post it. This is a community crime prevention programme and depends on your input to be successful. See Reports>>

Mechanically Speaking ... (Postings From Our Forum)

Mechanically Speaking ... (Postings From Our Forum)

QUESTION: I recently purchased a 300tdi, 110 pickup and it already has a steering problem. When I drive on tarmac it feels as if the vehicle is wandering. I have had the wheels balanced and alignment done but it is still doing it. What else could be causing this?

ANSWER: It sounds as though your vehicle has cross ply tyres fitted. What you have described are classic symptoms. Some dealers in this region fit them as standard on pickups as they presume that they are going to be doing heavy-duty work. Read More>>

Survey: What's Annoying About Driving in Uganda?

Survey: What's Annoying About Driving in Uganda?

We have a small survey this month - only 1 question /multiple choice: What annoys you the most about Kampala driving? We would love to hear from you. Responses and comments will be posted in the December newsletter. (survey closed).

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© 1997 On Course Uganda Ltd, On Course Consultancy Ltd. Plot 14 Hannington Road, Kampala, Uganda. Tel: +256 772 22 11 07.

Web Summary: OnCourse (OCCL) specialises in 4wd training courses, off-road security driving courses and defensive driving courses tailored to suit the harsh and hostile driving conditions common to developing countries. We provides driving solutions for field workers, UN and peacekeeping personnel, fleet managers, corporations, mining companies, tour operators, professional drivers and 4wd owners.

Driving to Survive: We train to worst case and we teach what works.

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