A Guide to Safer Driving

What’s Inside

1. Introduction

2. Journey Preparation

4. Safer Driving

5. The Two-Second Rule

6. Speeding

7. Speed Limits

8. Seat Belts

9. Mobile Phones

10. Drink Driving

11. Drug Driving

12. Driver Tiredness

13. Driving for Work

14. Advice for New Drivers

15. Advice for Mature Drivers

16. Motorcycling – advice for motorcyclists

18. Motorcycling – tips for car drivers

19. Contacts & Websites

Introduction

Dorset Police and its partnersare committed to making the roadsof Dorset safer for all road users -so that residents and visitorsto Dorset can use the roadswith confidence, free fromdeath or injury.

Alongside enforcement andengineering, education playsa vital part in reducing thenumber of collisions on ourroads. Changing the behaviourand attitude of road users candramatically reduce collisions.

This guide has been produced to provide accurate and informative advice to drivers about how they can be even safer on the roads. We all like to think we are good drivers and that we rarely make mistakes– but human error is often a contributory factor in collisions. So please, take the time to read and refer to this guide, and share it with family and friends, so we can work together to make Dorset’s roads safer.

Journey preparation

Before setting off on any journey, you should make sure that your vehicle is road worthy.

You should always check the following:

Petrol Do you have enough fuel for your journey?

Oil Do you have sufficient oil, brake and steering fluid?

Water Do you have sufficient windscreen and coolant water levels?

Electrics Are all electric systems functioning correctly? Check for any lights on the dashboard which may warn of any problems.

Rubber Are tyres worn or flat (minimum legal tread depth is 1.6 mm) and are the windscreen wipers worn?

These simple checks will ensure your vehicle is ready for the road and if neglected can contribute to the cause of a collision.

Regular vehicle maintenance is also important to ensure the vehicle is road worthy and safe. Refer to your vehicle handbook and book your vehicle in for regular servicing to keep it running efficiently.

Journey Tips

Here are some useful tips to consider before you set off on your journey and while you’re on the move. Regardless of the distance you’re driving, these tips will help to ensure your journey is a safer one and will help you to use less fuel.

Before you go

Lose weight

Extra weight means extra fuelso if there are items in the bootyou don’t need on the journeyleave them at home.

Streamline

Roof racks or boxes createextra wind resistance andincrease fuelconsumption.If you don’t need it, take it off.

Don’t get lost

Plan unfamiliar journeys toreduce the chance of gettinglost – try a route planner orconsider using a satellitenavigation device. Check thetraffic news before you leave.

Combine short trips

Cold starts are inefficientso it pays to combineerrands such as buyingthe paper, dropping offthe recycling, or collectingthe kids into one trip.

Consider alternatives

If it’s a short journey(a couple of miles or so)consider walking or cyclingrather than taking the car –you will use more fuel whenthe engine is cold.

On the Move

Leave Promptly

Don’t start the engineuntil you’re ready to go.This avoids fuel wastagedue to unnecessary idlingand ensures that the enginewarms up as quickly aspossible. (In winter months,scrape ice rather than leavethe car idling for a longperiod to warm up).

Easy does it

Drive smoothly, accelerategently and read theroad ahead to avoidunnecessary braking.

Rolling

Try to keep the car movingall the time. Stopping andstarting uses more fuelthan keeping rolling.

Change gear earlier

Change gear as soon aspossible without labouringthe engine – this will be morefuel efficient.

Cut down on the air-con

Air conditioning increasesfuel consumption at lowspeeds but, at higherspeeds, the effects are lessnoticeable. So, if it’s a hotday remember this saying:‘when in town, windowdown’. You should run yourair conditioning at leastonce a week to maintain thesystem but don’t leave it onall the time.

Turn it off

Any electrical load increasesfuel consumption, so turn offyour heated rear windscreen,demister blowers andheadlights, when you don’tneed them.

Stick to the limits

Drive at or within the speedlimit – the faster you go thegreater the fuel consumptionand the greater the pollution.Driving at 70mph uses up to9% more fuel than at 60mphand up to 15% more than at50mph.

Don’t be idle

If you do get caught in a queue, avoid wasting fuel by turning the engine off if it looks like you could be waiting for more than three minutes.

Towing advice

If you’re going to be towing anything on your journey,here are some tips about making sure you do so safely:

  • Ensure the towing hitch/stabiliser is correctly attached
  • Ensure the breakaway cable is attached
  • Check the jockey wheel is raised and secure
  • Check that the tyres, brakes and lights on the trailer or caravan are working
  • Ensure registration plate is correct
  • Check gas is off and correctly stowed
  • Know the speed limits and weight limits for towing

Safer Driving

It is all too easy to be distracted behind the wheel, but a lapse in concentration can be serious for you, your passengers and other road users. Stress can also be a factor that affects a driver’s ability to concentrate on the road ahead.

What can you do?

You should keep your head and eyes up and look as far ahead as you can see. To be even safer on the roads, you must concentrate on your driving at all times and this includes being aware of what is going on with other road users around you.

Increased concentration and awareness also helps you to anticipate what might happen next. This will ensure you are prepared to take any appropriate action and will help you to avoid a collision.

One of the key reasons that drivers lose concentration or become stressed when driving is because they are in a hurry. You should always allow plenty of time to complete your journey.

Remember COAST:

Concentrateon your drivingat all times.

Observeall around you.

Anticipatewhat might happen next.

Space, give space at all times;

it gives you:

Timeto plan your driving.

Plan your route in advance, including time for breaks if you’re undertaking a long journey and always consider weather conditions before setting off. If it’s anything other than a dry day with perfect visibility, then expect to allow extra time for your journey.

The Two-Second Rule

It is dangerous to travel too closely to the vehicle infront and doing so can cause a collision. To keep a safedistance, you can apply the two-second rule.

This method means that you always drive with at leasta two-second time gap between you and the vehicle infront and can be applied like this:

  • On a dry road, choose a point like a lamp postor road sign.
  • When the vehicle in front passes that point, say out loud:“Only a fool breaks the two-second rule”
  • Check your position in relation to your chosen pointas you finish saying this. If you have alreadypassed the point, you are driving too close tothe vehicle in front and need to pull back.
  • In wet weather, double the distance between yourvehicle and the one in front of you by saying“Only a fool breaks the two-second rule” twice.

If another vehicle is following too closely behind you, then you should drop back from the vehicle in front, this avoids sudden braking and invites the tailgater to overtake. If they aren’t able to overtake, considerturning into a lay-by or side road to let them pass.

Did you know?

In wet weather, stoppingdistances will be atleast double thoserequired for stoppingon dry roads.

Speeding

Drivers are responsible for the speeds at which they choose to drive and there are some simple and practical things drivers can do to help themselves to stay within the speed limit:

  • Check your speedometer regularly, especially when leaving high speed roads
  • Know the limits – look for signs, especially at junctions
  • Assume street lighting means 30mph, until signs say otherwise, but remember it could be a 20mph zone
  • Remember, speed limits are a maximum, not a target
  • 20’s plenty when kids are about – and may even be too fast
  • Drive in no higher than 3rd gear in a 30mph limit – this gives you more control over your vehicle if you need to slow suddenly and it will also help you keep to 30mph
  • Recognise what makes you speed – keeping up with traffic, overtaking or being tailgated
  • Concentrate - distracted drivers speed
  • Slow down when entering villages
  • Give yourself time – there’s no need to speed and you won’t get there quicker

Did you know?

Breaking the speed limit, or driving too fast for the conditions on the road, contributes to more than 727 deaths and 4,555 injuries every year across the UK.

Speed Limits

Type of vehicle / Streetlights / Single carriageway / Dual carriageway / Motorways
Cars & Motorcycles
(including car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes maximum laden weight) / 30 / 60 / 70 / 70
Cars towing Caravans/Trailers
(including car-derived vans & motorcycles) / 30 / 50 / 60 / 60
Buses & Coaches
(not exceeding 12 metres in overall length) / 30 / 50 / 60 / 70
Good Vehicles
(not exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) / 30 / 50 / 60 / 70*
Goods Vehicles
(exceeding 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60

*60 if articulated or towing a trailer

Seat Belts

Legislation

By law, you must wear a seat belt in cars and goods vehicles whereone is fitted. There are very few exceptions to this. The driver is liableto prosecution if a child under 14 years does not wear a seat belt orchild restraint as required.

Children up to 135cm tall must use the appropriate child restraint fortheir weight (not age) when travelling in the front or back seat of any car,van or goods vehicle. There are very few exceptions. ‘Child restraint’means baby seat, child seat, booster seat or booster cushion.

A child can use an adult belt when they reach 135cm or their 12th birthday,whichever comes first.

In buses and coaches with seat belts fitted, passengers aged 14 years andabove must use them.

If you are not wearing a seat belt, you can be prosecuted. The fixed penalty for notwearing your seat belt is £60, but if you are convictedin court the fine can be up to £500.

In 2007, of the 1,432 car occupants killed in the UK, research indicates that some 34% were not wearing a seat belt. You are twice as likely to die in a crash if you don’t wear a seat belt.

Did you know?

Seat belts save lives. In acrash at 30 mph, an adultis thrown forwards with aforce of 3.5 tonnes. That’sthe weight of an elephant!

Mobile Phones

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobilephone or similar device while driving avehicle, riding a motorcycle or supervisinga learner. The penalty for doing so is £60and 3 penalty points and if the case goesto court, you will face a maximum fineof £1,000 (£2,500 if driving a bus, coachor heavy goods vehicle), discretionarydisqualification and 3 points. On top of allthat, your insurance costs could also go up.

Even careful driverscan be distracted bya phone call or textmessage and thatsplit second lapse inconcentration couldresult in a collision.Using any type ofmobile – be it handsfree or handheld – canmean reaction timesare worse than thosedriving under theinfluence of alcohol.

What should you do?

Either switch your phone off, oronto voicemail, before setting off.

If your phone does ring, leaveit and make sure you are safelyparked before picking up anymessages or making a call.

Callers also play animportant role. If you ringsomeone on their mobilephone who turns out tobe driving when theyanswer, say you’ll callthem later and hang up.

You can also beprosecuted forusing a hands freephone or similardevice if you aredistracted and notin proper control ofthe vehicle.

Did you know?

Research has shownthat those using amobile phone whiledriving are four timesmore likely to crash.

Drink driving

Drinking and driving issocially unacceptable– but still there is aminority of motoristswho believe theycan get away with it.Alcohol affects reactiontimes and judgement ofspeed and distance.

Any amount of alcohol affects your abilityto drive and each person’s tolerance toalcohol depends on a range of factorsincluding weight, gender, age, metabolismand whether they have eaten recently.So, the only safe option is not to drinkalcohol if you plan to drive, and neveroffer an alcoholic drink to someone elsewho is intending to drive.

If you’ve been drinking, thereare plenty of alternative waysto get home rather thandriving yourself, you could:

  • Book a taxi
  • Use public transport
  • Stay overnight
  • Arrange a lift withsomeone who isn’t drinking

If caught drinkdriving you will face:

  • Up to 6 months in prison
  • A fine of up to £5000
  • A minimum of 12months’ disqualification(3 years for a second offencewithin 10 years)

Sobering-up tricks do not work– coffee and cold showers themorning after a night out don’t helpyou sober up. Time is the only wayto get the alcohol out of your systemand you could still be over the legallimit many hours after drinking.

Drug Driving

Driving while unfit due todrugs is against the law.This applies to prescribedmedication or over-the-counterproducts as well asillegal substances. In fact,driving while unfit throughdrugs is just as dangerousas drink driving. The effectsof some drugs can last forsome time after use.

The penalties for drugdriving are exactlythe same as for drinkdriving. If you getcaught, you could befined up to £5,000 andhave a one year banfrom driving.

Ways in which drugs canaffect driving include:

  • slower reaction times
  • poor concentration
  • sleepiness/fatigue
  • confused thinking
  • distorted perception
  • over-confidence

Did you know?

If you suspect someoneis driving while under theinfluence of alcohol ordrugs, then you shouldalways report them to thepolice by calling 999. Youcould save someone’s life.

Driver Tiredness

It is estimated that driverswho fall asleep at thewheel account for aroundone fifth of accidentson major roads, and areresponsible for around300 deaths per year.

Studies have shown that you don’tfall asleep without warning. Driverswho fall asleep at the wheel often tryto fight off drowsiness by opening awindow or turning up the radio. Thisdoesn’t work for long.

Try these tips:

  • Plan your journey to include a15-minute break every two hours.
  • Don’t start a long trip if you’re already tired.
  • Remember the risks if you have to get up unusuallyearly to start a long drive
  • Try to avoid long trips between midnight and 6am whenyou’re likely to feel sleepy anyway.
  • If you start to feel sleepy, find a safe place to stop.

Did you know?

The only real cure forsleepiness is propersleep. A caffeine drinkand a 20 minute nap isa short-term solutionthat will only allow youto keep driving for ashort time.

Driving for Work

Here are some useful tips to help you stay safewhen driving for work:

  • Check out your employer’s ‘driving at work’ policy(which should be part of their existing health andsafety at work policy). Talk to your employer aboutdriving assessment and training (if needed).
  • Check your vehicle – basic maintenance savestime in the long run and helps avoid accidents.
  • Plan your journey – this will help you avoidthe temptation of speeding, trying to reada map or calling the depot for directionson your mobile phone while you’re driving.
  • Switch off your mobile phone or go to voicemail.
  • Wear a seat belt. Van and goods vehicle driversare only exempt from wearing seat belts whenmaking deliveries less than 50 metres apart.

Dorset Police providesdriver education sessions togroups of business drivers.The sessions have beenspecifically developed forpeople who drive for work andcover a range of useful topicsincluding health and safetylegislation, vehicle dynamicsand load, observation,hazard perception and driverfatigue. To find out how yourorganisation can benefit,contact Dorset Policeon 01202 or 01305 227670 or email .

Did you know?

It’s estimated that around200 road deaths and seriousinjuries each week in the UKinvolve someone at work.

Advice for New Drivers

Your are vulnerable:

Having passed the driving test, you are able to drive unsupervised for the first time and this can be quite daunting initially, making you much more vulnerable than you may realise Try to identify your strengths and weaknesses and consider further training, so that you can drive safely in all conditions and on all types of road. Otherwise, you will be at greater risk of being involved in a collision. That risk is already reflected in car insurance premiums, which may be reduced by taking further training, such as the Pass Plus scheme.