Safety Newsletter - December 2008

Are you a safe driver?

Everyone will answer: Yes! But are we really? Safe driving is largely common sense and we should all have lots of that to spare! Do you obey the law, or have you not yet been caught? Have you never broken the speed limit or "only for a few hundred yards" or "just so I can overtake the slow moving vehicle." The following suggestions are only a few of the common sense ideas you could use to improve the safety of your driving.

Drive Safely

One of the most dangerous things most of us do each day is driving a motor vehicle; it is something we all take for granted. Many drivers involved in crashes do not accept that they have contributed to causing them; if you think that you have nothing to learn from an accident or even from being involved in a near miss, your style of driving will not change.

• If another motorist "carves you up" in a line of traffic, do not retaliate or try to punish the other driver. This may escalate the situation or lead to an accident. A common trigger for aggression and frustration is driving too close to another vehicle. Keep your distance and leave a two second gap to the car in front whenever possible.
• Develop a sensible driving plan and try to avoid being forced to adhere to a very tight driving schedule. Try to avoid driving under pressure or stress. Do not take a chance at the red lights, exceed speed limits, or cut corners. Allow an extra five minutes for each journey.
• To maintain the right attitude for good driving try to improve your powers of observation. This demands considerable thought and practice but will usually keep you out of potentially dangerous situations. Good observation should give you an early warning of any situations developing which might require action from you.
• If you hit the vehicle in front, you are at fault. You are driving too close to stop safely.
• Remember there is no such thing as a perfect driver; we are only as good as our last journey.

Winter Driving

Driving in adverse winter conditions is more difficult if you and your vehicle aren’t properly prepared. By following these simple ideas, you will be safer and ready to deal with winter driving problems:

• Listen to the radio for details about roads and weather conditions.
• In conditions of poor visibility use dipped headlights. This is not so that you can see, but so that other road users can see you. If most around you have their lights on, chances are that you should too. You may be able to see other vehicles but without lights can you be seen by the motorcyclist with a rain soaked visor, the pedestrian with poor eyesight or the driver with misted up windows?
• Only use rear fog-lights in extreme conditions (a good guideline is when the vehicles in front become difficult to see) and always remember to switch them off when conditions improve.
• Your vehicle will take much longer to stop on a wet surface, particularly one covered with wet leaves. Adjust your speed and leave a longer following distance so that you are always able to stop in the distance seen to be clear.
• Watch out for children walking and cycling to and from school. Many schools unfortunately insist upon dark coloured clothing which can make them difficult to spot.
• Ensure your tyres, brakes, wipers, heater and demisters are in excellent order. When you clean your windows, don’t forget to clean your lights too.
• If a skid occurs, no matter how strong the temptation, do not brake! Lose speed by gently easing the pressure on the accelerator pedal and, if appropriate, de-clutch.

Driver Fatigue

Driver sleepiness is thought to cause at least ten percent of all road accidents and as many as one in four accidents on motorways and trunk roads. According to the statistics over 39,000 serious injuries and nearly 3,500 deaths occurred on roads in the UK last year. Drowsiness is now considered to be a major cause, claiming more lives than alcohol.

• Falling asleep at the wheel is often preceded by feelings of increasing sleepiness that drivers are aware of, but often ignore. They will wind down the window, turn up the radio, stretch, etc, but drive on. None of these methods will have much effect in overcoming sleepiness.
• If you feel tired, you should get off the road, find a safe parking place and rest.
• Men are more at risk of having a sleep related accident as they drive faster, have an overconfident impression of their driving skills and are less likely to stop and take a break if they feel tired.
• Most accidents happen in the morning between 2 & 6 am and mid-afternoon between 2 & 4 pm. Be aware of the additional risk driving at these times.

Alcohol & Drugs

We all know the risks and penalties associated with drinking & driving; many of the same risks also apply to drugs. Now the winter is upon us, the chances of getting cold or flu will increase; but are you aware of the risks of the cold remedy you are using. Does it say on the label: ‘Can cause Drowsiness’ or ‘Do not operate machinery’?

A joint campaign urging motorists to be more aware of the risks some medicines can have on safe driving was launched recently.

In a Scottish Road Safety Campaign, Transport Minister, Mr. Stephen said: "Some medicines whether prescribed or bought over the counter, can affect our ability to drive safely.

"This initiative supported by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign and NHS Scotland, aims to highlight the dangers and urge drivers to check with pharmacists or doctors to ensure it is safe to drive after using a particular medicine."

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Professor Bill Scott said: "Even though many medicines are available over the counter, there may still be certain risks attached - certain treatments can cause drowsiness, and, as we should all know, driving when tired is very dangerous.

"Check the label of all medicines before using them and if in doubt, please consult your pharmacist or doctor."

The Law

Speed Limit

Do you know the legal speed limit for your vehicle? If you are driving a commercial vehicle, or towing a trailer; you may be surprised to know that it is different than a car.

If you break the speed limit, it is your fault, you pay the fine, you go to court and if you lose your license; you could lose your livelihood.

Mobile Phones

With 3 points, a fixed fine and 6 points, can you afford to use it?

If the call is important, pull over and stop, (but not on the motorway), and take the call.

Both hands must be available at all times for driving the vehicle.

Eating & Drinking

A quick bite of a sandwich or a quick drink from a can of pop could lead to a £1000 fine. Even if you are stationary in traffic, it is still illegal.

Seatbelts

Before moving off everyone in the vehicle must fasten their seatbelts. If your passengers are not wearing seatbelts, you as the driver will be expected to pay the fine. So keep them safe; tell them to ‘BELT UP’.

Reversing

Always check around the vehicle before reversing and, if necessary ask someone to guide you.

Never reverse into a main road unless some is there to guide you and stop oncoming traffic.