Safer drivers

Cars have become a lot safer in recent years with engineering advances in anti skid braking, crumple zones and air bags. Safer attitudes to driving are not improving at the same pace. For example, in Department for Transport speed surveys more than half (56%) of all drivers exceed the 70mph speed limit on motorways. 77% of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers on single carriageway roads exceed the 40mph limit and on dual carriageways 86% of HGVs exceeded the 50mph limit. Excessive speed is the main contributory factor reported by the police in the majority of all fatal collisions.

In order to improve attitudes to driving there are a number of different driving groups that we target, those driving at work, commuters and people driving for leisure or shopping.

Everyday driving

Similar issues apply to everyday driving as they do to driving at work. A collision will result in wasted time, potential of lost earnings and extra stress. Certain groups are more at risk when driving.

• Young drivers aged 17 to 24 are involved in more collisions than any other group in Plymouth.
• Out of all the collisions where drivers or passengers were injured, 30% involved 17 to 24 year olds.

Young drivers can find out more on how they can be safer drivers and why they are more at risk by visiting the following websites:

• Too Young to Die
• Fuelled Driving
• For my Girlfriend
• Practice Theory Tests
• Pass Plus
• DirectGov Motoring Learner and New Drivers

Driving for work

It is estimated that a third (33%) of all road traffic collisions involve someone who is at work at the time. Improving the safety record of drivers through managing work related road safety makes business sense:

• Fewer days lost to injury
• Reduced stress and improved morale
• Less time lost in investigation, vehicles off the road and rescheduling deliveries
• Better driving improves the image of the business
• Reduced running costs through better driving

Guidance on how companies can improve work related road safety can be found in the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Managing Work Related Road Safety. You can download this from the documents table below.

Tips on making your driving safer

• Choose a car with the highest occupant and passenger safety rating. Visit the European new car assessment programme (Euro NCAP) website.
• Get an independent assessment of your driving and further training from the Institute of Advanced Motorists or RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Advanced Drivers and Riders.
• Read the safety advice on the Think! website on tyre safety, new drivers, older drivers, driving on motorways, child car seats and winter driving.
• Refresh your knowledge of the Highway Code, a new version with lots more advice on safer driving and sensible practices was published in 2007.

What are we doing?

• Promoting road safety education in the school curriculum from an early age to shape a responsible attitude to using the road
• Promoting and setting up walking and cycle training which teaches children the fundamentals of safe use of the roads
• Promoting Think! campaigns within the city that target dangerous driving behaviours which 17 to 24 year olds are more likely to adopt, such as drink driving and mobile phone use
• Promoting alternative forms of transport to the private car that are inherently safer
• Targeting high risk groups such as motorcyclists with safety campaigns and engineering measures to bring down casualties
• Highlighting road safety at various events in the city centre throughout the year in partnership with the Devon and Cornwall Police and the Safety Camera Partnership
• Managing speeds on our road network, including introducing 20mph zones outside schools
• Investigating collision cluster sites and putting in safety measures that discourage excess speed and dangerous driving.

Documents

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Managing work related road safety - guidance from the HSE on work related road safety. File format Adobe Acrobat (pdf) - 232.6KB