Your local Colchester Solicitors, John Fowlers, support National Road Victim month by sharing with you tips to stay safe. Being aware of yourself and other drivers and practising safe road behaviour is equally important. Below is advice to keep you mindful and safe.
Avoid changing CDs when driving as this will cause you to look away and take your eyes off the road. When driving, it's beneficial to have as few distractions as possible to keep focused.
Put your phone away and make sure it's turned off, so you don’t have the urge to answer it if it rings. As soon as you take your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel you're putting yourself and others at risk. It's illegal to use a mobile when driving. This includes using your phone to follow a map, read a text or check social media. This applies even if you’re stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.
Follow the speed limits, driving over a given speed limit is not only illegal but also dangerous. Driving at 60kmph on a road where the limit is 50kmph might save you 20 minutes, but it also increases the chances of an accident.
Drive to the weather conditions, heavy rain, fog, snow and ice are all extremely hazardous. Change your driving to suit the road conditions you are presented with. Make sure you slow down, switch on your dipped-beam headlights and increase the distance between your car and the car in front.
Never assume anything on the roads. Look both ways and then look again. Just because a light is red doesn’t mean other vehicles will stop. When making a turn at a red light, you’d be surprised at the pedestrians speeding down the pavement or street on their bike or skateboard trying to make it across the street at the last second. Always double check and be cautious when driving to prevent serious accidents.
Fatigue is one of the biggest causes of road accidents. If you're feeling tired, avoid getting behind the wheel. Be aware of early indications of fatigue such as yawning or rubbing your eyes. At this point, take a quick break at a service station, take a 10-15 minute nap and a coffee to try and prevent your fatigue. If you begin to feel drowsy this can be a sign of severe fatigue, at this point it's critical you pull over at the nearest safe point, turn your engine off and have a sleep.
All in all, these tips will help you drive a little more safely compared to others who are not aware of them. So please do us all a favour – share with friends and pass it on!
If you have any questions you would like to ask one of our Solicitors about personal injury, get in touch.