ROAD SAFETY: TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE ON THE ROAD.

• Road crashes lead to 3,500 deaths and 40,000 serious injuries every year.
• The majority of accidents occur between midnight and six in the morning.
• Speed is the largest factor in road accidents.
• Two thirds of crashes that led to death or injury occurred on roads with a 30mph speed limit or less.
• 10 people die and 100 are seriously injured every day in the UK due to road accidents.
• Traffic accidents are the single biggest killer of young people aged 12 to 16 in Britain.

HOW TO STAY SAFE.

Check your vehicle before driving.

Before setting off on any journey, and especially on a longer journey, always give your vehicle a quick check. Check over your brakes, the lights, the mirrors, the tyres and the oil level to make sure your vehicle is in a safe condition to drive.

Stick to the speed limits.

Speed kills, and the speed limits are there for a reason. Remember that the speed limits indicate the maximum speed, but you can always drive slower if you feel it is safer to do so.

Take a rest when you are tired.

Don’t start a long trip when you are tired, and if you start to feel tired, make sure you take a break. Falling asleep at the wheel can kill.

Don’t drink and drive.

There is a legal limit for drinking and driving, but it is better to be safe by not drinking anything when you know you will be driving. This also applies to drugs, including some legal drugs that can affect your reaction times.

Don’t use your mobile while driving.

Using a mobile when you are driving can be a distraction, as can eating and drinking at the wheel. Always stop before using your phone or having a snack.

Take special care in adverse weather conditions.

Always take special care to drive carefully when the weather is bad, including in heavy rain, fog, ice and snow. Braking distances are a lot longer when the roads are wet or icy.

Be careful of cyclists.

Always keep a safe distance from cyclists and leave room for them at traffic lights. When overtaking, ensure you have adequate space available.

Don’t be pressured by other drivers.

Never let other drivers pressure you into driving dangerously. For example, if another driver is driving very close behind you, do not think you have to increase your speed.

Keep a space between you and the vehicle in front.

Don’t drive too close to the vehicle in front because you need space to break in an emergency.

Wear your seatbelt.

Finally, always ensure you and other passengers in the vehicle wear seat belts. If you are involved in an accident, even a minor one, the seat belt can prevent major injury.

STAY SAFE WHEN YOU DRIVE.

Driving dangerously puts everyone at risk, but driving safely is easy to do by simply sticking to a few rules. So keep these tips in mind and make sure you drive safer every time you get into your vehicle.