Road Safety
DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE
- When you drink and drive your ability to handle a vehicle is significantly decreased.
- Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly yet it wears off slowly. To regain normal reaction and perception after drinking alcohol your body requires one hour per every unit consumed.
- Drink driving hinders awareness and ability to spot hazards on the road. Drivers have difficulty controlling their vehicles and are more at risk of a crash.
- It is illegal to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol. Possible convictions include a driving ban, a fine, community service and prison.
If you drink...
- If you've had a drink, get a taxi or bus to take you home.
- Before you go out appoint a nominated person in your group to drive you home.
CHECK YOUR SPEED
- Wintry conditions can make driving hazardous, so slow down.
- Keeping up with hectic schedules sometimes means that speeding can be seen as a necessary risk. Better to be late…than dead on time.
- Stopping distances may be affected during the winter months due to poor visibility and road conditions…check your distance.
- When tyres are wet they have far less grip than when dry. Keep your speed down during winter months.
- Be cautious of roads not exposed to sun warmth, these may be icy when others have thawed.
- When driving in snow reduce your speed and gear to gain enhanced control over the vehicle.
BELT UP
- Government research shows that 30% of all road deaths would have been prevented had they been wearing a seatbelt.
- Modern vehicle safety devices, e.g. airbags are designed to work in conjunction with the vehicle seatbelts. Always wear a seatbelt.
CHECK YOUR VEHICLE
- Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth. The recommended depth for winter motoring is 3mm.
- Dazzle from low sunlight during winter months can be hazardous; cleaning the windscreen inside and out can significantly improve vision and reduce the dazzling effect.
- Ensure the windscreen, rear window and other windows are clear from snow, ice and condensation when setting off in your vehicle.
- Ensure any snow from the roof of the vehicle is cleared as piled up snow can fall onto the windscreen and obscure the view of the road.
- Check all bulbs are working and that headlights are clean and correctly aimed (see vehicle handbook).
- Keep the screen wash topped-up with the correct liquid concentration, this will ensure visibility is maintained during winter months.
TIREDNESS CAN KILL
- Driving requires the driver to be alert and aware of their surroundings. If a driver is overly tired they are less likely to react effectively.
- Fatigue reduces reaction times. The actual time in which you react when fatigued is much slower than you expect.
- Driving when fatigued increases the risk of falling asleep at the wheel.
PREPARING TO TRAVEL
- Give yourself plenty of time to prepare the vehicle for travel during the winter.
- A simple survival kit kept in the boot of the vehicle may be an advantage should you be stranded in wintry weather.
- An ice scraper, de-icer, torch, first-aid kit and blankets can be critical tools during the winter period.
- Plan routes to follow major roads which are more likely to have been gritted.
