Stay Awake When You are Driving

Believe the signs on the motorway - tiredness kills.

Up to one in five deaths on motorways and other monotonous roads are caused by tired drivers. Some of us push ourselves to the point where we actually fall asleep while driving. In a shocking survey by Brake in 1998, two thirds of drivers admitted falling asleep at the wheel. Take no chances and always... Get rested

Never consider a long drive if tired - always get a good night's sleep the night before.

Avoid early morning driving

Research shows that you are most likely to fall asleep at the wheel between 2am and 6am. It is also common to feel sleepy in the early afternoon. Take breaks

Make sure you stop every two hours for at least 15 minutes. If you feel sleepy when you stop, have at least a 10-minute snooze. Carry an alarm clock to wake you up. Ensure you feel fully awake before setting off. If not, don't drive. Spot sleepiness

There are some obvious signs - heavy eyelids, nodding head, waves of tiredness and not being able to concentrate. Stop immediately somewhere safe and take a break. Never push yourself until you experience these symptoms. Sleep follows more quickly than you think.

Safer Driving Other

Think of others

Expect the unexpected. You cannot predict what is round a corner, for example. It could be someone you are about to kill.

The risks of being killed on the road if you are not in a vehicle, are significantly higher because you are unprotected. Cyclists are eight times, and motorcyclists 25 times, more likely to die on the road per mile travelled than car drivers. One in five people who die on the road is on foot. Be careful and... Expect people

Some people, such as older people, may not move fast or see or hear traffic. Children run out without looking. Drunk adults stagger onto the road. Expect bikes

Double check all around for motorbikes and cyclists, particularly when pulling out at a junction or changing lanes. Give plenty of room when passing them - they often wobble. If it isn't safe to pass, hold back. Expect animals

Horses and their riders use roads too, particularly country lanes. Slow right down and pass when safe. Watch out for pets and wild animals, which often run out in front of vehicles. Drive well within the limits

The most important thing you can do, particularly within towns and rural areas, is to drive well within the limits. The faster you go, the less chance you have to avoid a person or animal. The faster you go, the harder you hit. Keep looking at all times

Make sure you look to the front, to the side and behind. Always use all your mirrors and signal before moving.

Safer Driving at Night

Driving at night

Go slower when you move from a lit to an unlit road. It takes time for your eyes to adjust.

At night it is harder to spot hazards and it is harder for others to spot you. If you don't take the darkness into consideration, you could kill someone. So remember... Check lights work before driving. Ask a friend to help you. Be the first to use lights

Lights should be used at dusk, dawn, in bad weather and on a gloomy day. Use dipped beam

In urban areas make sure you use dipped beam. Use full beam on other roads at night but "dip, don't dazzle" when there is someone in front or coming towards you. If you are dazzled, slow down and stop if necessary. Go more carefully

Drive at a speed that enables you to stop within the distance you can see. Look out

Keep your eyes open for pedestrians, cyclists and motorbike riders, particularly those who are not wearing bright clothing or do not have lights. Take extra care when driving past pubs, cinemas, theatres and clubs at closing time.

Safer Driving Weather

Coping with adverse weather

Sometimes you cannot tell if a road is wet or icy. In bad weather, imagine the worst.

Variable weather is a fact of life in the UK. Rain, fog, ice, snow, high winds and bright sunshine make driving harder. Failure to recognise this and take extra care causes deaths. Always... Listen to forecasts

Accept that sometimes it is not safe to go by road and make other arrangements.

Clear windows of condensation and ice

Never set off with just a peephole to peer through.

Use your lights

In bad weather use dipped beam. In fog, you must turn on your rear fog lights. Turn them off when you can see again.

You can see less

Go slow and keep back. Hanging on the taillights of the vehicle in front is not an option. In bright sunshine, use your visor.

Your brakes and tyres

Brakes and tyres are less effective on wet or icy roads - even in the best vehicles. Go slower and avoid sharp braking and steering. In the wet, leave at least double the normal safe distance between you and the vehicle in front. In the snow and ice, leave even more space.

Essential equipment

Check you are carrying washer fluid, glass cleaner, de-icer, cloths, ice scraper. In winter, check there is antifreeze in your radiator.

Safer Driving Secure

Secure yourself

If buying a car, ask about crash protection features such as air bags. Always wear protective gear.

The easiest way to improve your chances of survival in a crash is to belt up and properly secure children and luggage. The easiest way to improve the chances of drivers seeing you on a motorbike is to be visible. Do it. Belt up

Clunk-click every trip, in front and back. The diagonal strap must rest on your shoulder. Pregnant women must wear a belt (with the lap part over the thighs). Adjust headrests properly and avoid crippling whiplash

The centre of a headrest must be at eye level. Your seat must be as straight as possible so the headrest is just behind your head, ideally touching.

Fit child seats carefully

You must use one made for the child's size and weight, which is secured according to the instructions. It must be UN E-marked or BSI kite marked. For more information call your local council and ask to speak to your road safety officer.

Luggage must be secured

Secure luggage in a boot or make sure it is strapped down. An umbrella has the same power as a hammer in a 30mph collision. Motorcyclists must be visible

Your best crash protection is to be seen. Always ride with your lights on, day or night. Buy and wear a reflective yellow jacket with fluorescent strips.

Safer Driving Motorway

Motorway driving

Never try to mend a vehicle yourself - always wait.

Motorways are the safest roads in the UK. But when collisions happen, they are likely to result in deaths due to high speeds. The driving test does not require us to drive on the motorway. It is common to make the most basic mistakes. Therefore... Take more training

If you are in any doubt about your motorway skills why not seek further training.

Plan ahead

Make sure you know which junctions you need. Never check a map on the move. Obey speed limits

Including lower limits imposed due to congestion, weather or road works. Go slower

In bad weather, always use fog lights in fog. Don't try to keep up with the car ahead.

Leave a gap

Always ensure that there is at least two seconds between you and the car in front. Leave at least four seconds in bad weather.

Keep to the left lane

Unless overtaking, keep to the left.

Take a break

Every two hours, take a break for at least 15 minutes.

If you break down

Pull onto the hard shoulder and put on warning lights. Leave your vehicle from a left hand door. Call for help from an emergency phone which are approximately one mile apart and marked every hundred metres and wait on the verge.

Safer Driving Vehicle

Check your vehicle

Safe drivers deserve safe vehicles.

Dangerous vehicles kill. There are essential checks that everyone must carry out on their vehicle. Defects such as bald tyres, defective brakes and lights that don't work are common. The consequence is sometimes death and serious injury. So... Clean windows, mirrors, and lights

Carry washer fluid, glass cleaner, de-icer, and cloths, ice scraper. Replace windscreen wipers if worn.

Check lights work before driving

Ask a friend to help.

Check tyre pressures

When the tyres are cold check the pressures once a week. Your vehicle's handbook will tell you the right pressure. (Don't forget the spare!) If in doubt, consult a garage or tyre specialist.

Check tyre tread once a month

If you are a high mileage driver, check your tyre tread more frequently. Car tyres have 'tread wear indicator' bars, which are small ridges set into the main grooves. These indicate the legal minimum tread. If you cannot find them look for the letters TWI on your tyre wall or ask a garage. Change tyres before they reach this point. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm for cars, but less than 3mm is risky in wet or icy weather. Also check for bulges and cracks.

Warning lights

After you start your vehicle warning lights should go off. If a light stays on, do not drive. Consult a garage. The annual "MOT"

This is a legal requirement for all vehicles except new ones. It is also important to service your vehicle according to the manufacturer's guidelines - it will retain its value better and ensure it is safe. Lorries and buses

Drivers of these vehicles should carry out additional daily checks and maintain their vehicles according to manufacturer recommendations.