Road Safety

Advice on Road Safety
A few words about road safety

Spare Parts
In the unlikely event of a breakdown it is essential you are prepared. The following list provides details of some useful items you could store in your car, out of view:

Light bulbs and fuses
Wiper blades
Fan / alternator drive belts
Warning triangle
A selection of tools: mole grippes, screwdrivers, spanners, TORCH etc
A shovel and a bag of sand for snowy conditions
A warm blanket and drinking water

Winter driving
In wet and icy conditions, accelerate and brake very gently. To help keep complete control of the car use the gears to slow down and help prevent skidding. Note you may also want to pull off in a higher gear to reduce the risk of wheel spinning. Stopping distances are doubled on rain soaked roads and can increase by more than 10 times on ice!

If the vehicle goes into a skid, steer in the direction of the skid and try not to brake or accelerate until the vehicle is under control

Always keep well behind the vehicle in front
Do not drive with reduced tyre pressures. This is illegal and dangerous. Inflate the tyres in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations

Poor conditions
Headlights must be used when visibility is seriously reduced (down to no more than 100 metres). Front and rear fog lights must be used but they need to be switched off once conditions improve.

Never tailgate the vehicle in front and leave plenty of space for stopping; the wetter the roads the more space you will need to stop.

The lower the visibility the slower you should drive.

Regular checks
Before leaving check the following:

Have you planned your route? Do you carry a road map in your car in case your normal route is closed by an accident, road repairs etc.
Are the tyres inflated to the right pressure, with a minimum tread depth (1.6mm), and in good condition? Is there an inflated spare? Have you a jack and the right tools to change a wheel? Would you know how to do this safely? If not, are you a member of a breakdown organisation. Have you got the phone number of a 24 hour breakdown service (AA, RAC, Salvation Army ;) in your mobile phone? If not, put it in now.
Are all lights and indicators working?
Do the windscreen washer and wipers work? (Remember an empty washer bottle is an offence)
Is the fuel, oil and water topped up?
Does the windscreen washer have any cracks or chips? (If it does have an immediate inspection from a specialist to check that it is not breaking the law)
Can you see all the mirrors? Are there any missing or dirty?
Are the seatbelts in good working order (it is an offence not to wear a seat belt)
Are there any loose objects inside the car that could hurt people in a collision?
Are the number plates clearly visible from both the front and the back?

General safety
The driver is responsible for the mechanical condition of the car - not the owner

Do not overload the car

Switch off the engine when stationary (except at traffic stops)

Use dipped headlights at night in built up areas and in dull daytime weather, or if visibility is poor

Knowing when not to drive
Never drive if advised against the police or road service organisations (i.e. AA, RAC, Green Flag etc)

Never drink and drive at the same time, or when affected by certain prescribed drugs. It is dangerous and illegal.

Never drive if any of the windows are frozen / steamed up. Stop and remove the ice, or operate the heater demister.