Road Safety In the News
Driving In Winter Weather
Winter driving conditions always create a great challenge for vehicles and drivers. Wet leaves, ice patches, snow, wet and cold. It is essential to keep you and your vehicle in good technical repair to reduce risks of mishap or disaster whilst using the roads during the winter months.
It is wise to give your vehicle a complete check-up - electricals (for lights, battery, ignition); wipers; brakes; tyres; radiator; heating/cooling system; etc. Try to keep your fuel tank full aswell.
Good tyres with plenty of tread are essential in winter conditions, so check all tyres thoroughly. Well maintained tyres have a significant effect on stopping distances on wet/slippery roads. Why not check yours whilst you refuel your vehicle.
It may be helpful to prepare and emergency kit in case of being stranded by bad conditions. Perhaps include such things as warm clothes, boots, gloves, hat; torch with fresh batteries; blankets; first aid supplies; shovel. Try to let someone know of your travels plans/route and when you are estimated to arrive. Keep your mobile phone charged and topped-up to allow you to contact help (if there is a network coverage). Plan your route and allow extra time (even if it means you arrive a little earlier) if bad weather conditions are predicted. Listen to weather forecasts especially about visibility or hazardous conditions - is your journey really necessary?
Mobile Phone Fines
Since the ban for using a mobile phone behind the wheel was introduced in 2004 the recorded offence level has risen more than double.
More than 171,000 drivers were stopped by police and given fixed penalty notices in 2010-2011. This means a motorist is fined every three minutes for this offence.
A lorry driver has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment after the death of a 22 year old woman in a motorway pile up caused whilst he was using his mobile phone. The lorry driver was travelling at 55mph on the M18 and went into the rear of the young woman's car. A number of other vehicles were also involved and other people received injuries.
Young Safe Drivers Should Be Rewarded
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is calling on the Government to work with insurers to offer discounts for young drivers who show initiative and take further driver training. The average car insurance cost is £907 but for young males aged 17-22 it is £2,977. For young females it is an average of £1,682.
A recent survey undertaken on behalf of a committee of MPs has found that 21% of young drivers has considered driving without insurance because of such costs, and 30% have considered altering the information they provide to insurers in order to reduce an insurance quote.
When novice drivers were asked, 74% said they would take further training if it saved them money on their car insurance.
The IAM also wants to see a review of the driving test, making sure that it is still fit for purpose. They also recommend a system of post-test training which should be linked to cheaper insurance.
Online Driving Instructor Directory
A free online directory, launched by the Driving Standards Agency, is to make it easier for learner drivers to find qualified instructors in their area. Fully-qualified driving instructors can sign up to be listed on the 'Find your nearest driving instructors' directory.
Learners can search by postcode and will be able to see if instructors have signed up to the voluntary code of practice and are committed to continuing their personal development.
Contributory Factors in Accidents
"Driver/Rider error or reaction factors" account for 50% of crashes in the under 20's, according to the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).
Younger drivers who crash also seem to exhibit factors associated with a more aggresive driving style. The factors include:-
14.5% - Loss of control
10.5% - Travelling too fast for the conditions
6% - Exceeding the speed limit
5% - Sudden braking
Alcohol was a factor for 4.6% of crashes in the 17-24 age group.
Young drivers made up 27% of all car driver fatalities.
17-25 year olds make up 15% of the driving population but have 30% of all crashes and 40% of insurance claims.
In view of this the IAM is calling for post-test training for young drivers in the first 12-18 months after passing their test. In Austria, where the scheme is already up and running, this has cut the death rate for young male drivers by 30%.
20mph Zones Are Popular
In a survey taken by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) 67% of people polled thought that 20mph zones should be used outside of schools, and 43% of people would like the road outside their house to have a 20mph speed limit.
30 Penalty Points and Still Driving!
A man from Lancashire has amassed 30 points on his licence but is allowed to drive by magistrates. He persuaded them that he would suffer 'extreme hardship' if he was given a ban. Normally 12 points is enough to trigger an automatic ban. Jack Straw was said to be surprised by the situation but said that it was up to magistrates to deal with each case.
New Vehicle Insurance Law
A new law has come into affect from 20th June 2011, called the Continuous Insurance Enforcement Law, which means it is an offence to keep an uninsured vehicle, rather than just to drive whilst uninsured.
MOT Reminder Service is launched
A new service has been set up by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to remind customers when their MOT is due.
To use this service you will need to register with VOSA. You will then be sent three text reminders to your mobile phone, one 5 weeks before, one 2 weeks before and one the day before. There is a one-off £1.50 charge (including VAT) for the service. This will be collected via your mobile network provider once you have been registered.
You will still be responsible for ensuring your vehicle has it's MOT test by the due date, even if you have received the reminder texts.
The Highway Code
The Highway Code was first published on 14th April 1931. That makes it 80 years old this year!
Action for Road Safety - May 2011
A new campaign, called The Decade for Action Road Safety, will be launched on Wednesday 11th May 2011. The campaign will run from 2011 to 2020. The objective of the campaign is to globally highlight the impact of the road safety crisis and draw attention to prospects for injury prevention.
The 2010 Figures
Recent figures show that there were 1,872 deaths on the roads in 2010 (approximately 34 million cars in use) as compared to 7,343 in 1934 (1.5 million cars)
Distractions whilst driving!
A recent poll hightlighted the worrying self-inflicted driving distractions many people do whilst in traffic.
14% read a book or newspaper
7% brushed their hair
3% changed their clothes
2% flossed their teeth
almost 25% of women admitted to applying make-up and 10% had painted their nails.
Cycle Helmet Safety
Even though studies show that cycle helmets help save lives, more than 10% of cyclists would give up cycling if helmets were made compulsory. Out of over 4000 people surveyed on 20% think that helmets should be compulsory, and 30% would continue to cycle without wearing one.
200 Drivers a Day Are Caught
Police officers caught more than 200 drunk and drugged drivers during the 2010 Christmas campaign, new figures revealed. Officers across England and Wales arrested more than 6,600 drivers during the month leading up to Christmas.
Clampdown on Uninsured Drivers
The Government are proposing tough new regulations to try and stop uninsured dirvers who kill 160 people a year, and injure a further 23,000. With effect from March 2011, keeping a vehicle off-road without insurance could mean the owner faces a heavy fine. Until now Police have only been able to act if the vehicle is on the road and in use. People will still be able to apply the Off-Road Notice exemption, as the law requires. Owners may be sent letters warning them to comply or face a fixed penalty fine of £100, but with other penalty points this could be raised to a maximum of £5,000. If not paid the vehicle can be seized and destroyed. Up to a million motorists in the UK are believed to not have vehiclar insurance.
Safety Camera Information
The Government has decided it wants information about safety cameras to by easily available to the public. By April 2011, local authorities and the police will have to publish full information about the cameras, including such information as vehicle speeds, number of motorists prosecuted/offered training after offences caught on cameras, and collision rates around camera sites. It is hoped this proposal will help to show the impact of cameras with regard to crashes and casualty rates and how the police deal with offenders.
Team marks 10 years of support for crash drivers
Express & Echo Thursday, October 29, 2009, 23:00
THOUSANDS of drivers have been helped to get back behind the wheel following serious accidents by a Devon company which is celebrating 10 years in business.
Rosemary Pell founded the Road User Support Service (RUSS) after she was involved in two head-on car crashes. In both incidents she was hit by drivers travelling around blind bends on the wrong side of the road. The second accident left her with a permanent neck injury and a fear of driving.
"At the time there was little practical and emotional support available to help me feel comfortable in a car again," said Rosemary.
"I initially approached Devon County Council's road safety team, which offered invaluable assistance in setting up an appropriate support group and with whom I still have a close working partnership."
With a consultation room in St David's, Exeter, and a team of 10 instructors operating around the county, RUSS provides tailor-made rehabilitation programmes for traumatised drivers, consisting of both psychological counselling and practical lessons. Since it was established it has helped around 5,000 motorists.
"We are the only organisation of its type in the UK to offer this full service of driving instructors and therapists which helps people to retrain and regain confidence following a road traffic incident," said Rosemary, who lives in Dunsford and also runs her own private counselling practice.
"As owner-manager of RUSS, I am responsible for all aspects of running the business, including client assessments and treatment recommendations."
The company's tenth anniversary coincided with the launch of a new website, designed by Exeter company Daneswood, and the recruitment of former Devon & Cornwall police traffic officers Ashley Brooks, as a driving instructor, and Robin Derges, as an advanced motorcyclist. Robin's appointment has enabled RUSS to expand its services to include motorcycle training.
Rosemary said: "It is an exciting era for us. I can't believe that it is 10 years since I launched RUSS and how much the business has grown and progressed during that time.
"I know Ashley and Robin will add value to the team with their extensive skills and expertise."
The majority of RUSS's clients are referred by solicitors dealing with personal injury claims. Referrals also come from organisations including the police, Victim Support, the Devon Drivers' Centre, Devon Air Ambulance and health services.
Andrew Harris, a partner at Veitch Penny solicitors in Exeter, said: "Veitch Penny's accident claims team has supported RUSS from the very beginning and a great many of our clients have now benefited from the unique and professional services RUSS offer. Feedback from our clients is so positive that I am confident Rosemary's organisation will continue to go from strength to strength."
Peter Gimber, Devon County Council's road safety manager, said: "Rosemary and her team help hundreds of Devon residents regain their confidence to travel again and to overcome issues that may have blighted their family lives and affected their work.
"The county council has encouraged Rosemary in this work and wishes her every success in the future."
Business Support Network Autumn Newsletter
Members in the Spotlight
Exeter based Rosemary Pell, the first BSN member, (see photo right, fourth from left) is celebrating ten years in business with The Road User Support Service. Rosemary offers a unique service in Devon, supporting people who have been involved in or affected by road incidents. She and her team of ten have supported an impressive 5,000 people since the company’s inception.