Have you ever considered the consequences of your speeding car? Safer driving can be implemented by all of us, but most likely you will read this article and maybe slow down for a day or two, then go back to your usual ways, that’s an unfortunate fact. However did you know that driving is the most dangerous thing that most of us do on a regular basis.
Don’t Be A Crash Test Dummy!
Reality
The annual road death rate on UK roads each year is around 3000, despite newer cars being supposedly safer. Add to this around 29,000 serious injuries and well over 200,000 minor injuries. Believe it or not the statistics have it that you have a 1 in 200 chance of getting killed on our roads. (stats include about 40-45% pedestrians).
Males are 3 times more likely to get killed than a female (this number is made up from a high number of under 25 year olds). A lot of this is not just down to lack of driving experience, but also their driving attitude (read my article on Advanced Driving).
It’s 30 For A Reason!
More 12-16 years olds are killed by traffic than any other way.
Read This – hitting a child at 35mph is more than twice as likely to kill them than if you were travelling at 30mph (unbelievable I know, but that’s a fact!). Many inner city area’s are now implementing a 20mph zone.
80-90% of drivers speed, that is another sad fact, but for gods sakes as much as I enjoy driving my car, use some common sense, if you can’t see around a bend or over a bridge or you’re driving in a built up area, where kids play and pedestrians walk, or cars can come from any direction, slow down and think. Forget about the driver behind you, if you have to pull over and let them pass, then do so, don’t be bullied into breaking the speed limit and let others be responsible for their driving and not yours.
Things that you can do
- Check that attitude – stop and think!
- Check that car – Road worthiness (tyres, brakes, suspension, windscreen etc)
- Don’t overload your car
- Belt up
- Get your eyes tested. Keep your eyes on the road may be a well known saying, but the reality is you need to be looking everywhere and this is done easier by looking ahead at potential hazards (learn to read the road and it’s surroundings)
- Dont drink a drop when you have to drive
- Don’t allow distractions in the car
- Plan your trips
- Slow down – use common sense
- Don’t take unnecessary risks
- Don’t drive when you’re tired
- Check out the advanced driving article .
Driving Too Damn Fast – Accident
Road Safety Charities That Promote Safer Driving:
IAM – The Institute of Advanced Motorists
ROSPA – The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
THINK – Government Website
BRAKE – Well known Charity
Why not take a look at the Advanced Driving article for more ideas on how to become a better driver.
