Driving for Work Handbook · Some startling statistics Some accidents simply result in the...
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Driving for Work Handbook
Transcript of Driving for Work Handbook · Some startling statistics Some accidents simply result in the...
Driving for Work Handbook
Some startling statistics
Some accidents simply result
in the inconvenience and cost
of a damaged vehicle
However, many accidents result in
personal injury to the driver, passengers
and other road users, often very
serious, and sometimes fatal.
Accident CasualtiesEvery year on the UK’s roads, there
are millions of collisions which result in
approximately:
1750 DeathsA third of all collisions are estimated to
involve people driving for work, which is
more than four times the number of people
who die in all other types of work-related
accidents put together.
23,000 Serious InjuriesEquivalent to two sold out concerts at the Wembley Arena
These are ‘life changing’ injuries such as
paralysis or the loss of a limb.
170,000 Minor InjuriesThis is roughly the same as the entire British Armed Forces - Army, Navy and Air Force - combined.
A ‘minor injury’ is one that is reported to the
police and requires hospital treatment.
Deaths: ........................5 every day
Serious injuries: ........63 every day
Minor injuries: .........466 every day
Total casualties: ......534 every day
195,000 casualties every year
Millions More IncidentsThis still leaves millions more incidents
where either injuries went unreported or the
consequences were limited to vehicle and
property damage.
Hopefully now you can see why driving is
quite possibly the most dangerous work
activity you undertake and why you need
to make every effort to minimise the risks,
both to your self and other road users, and
ensure you get home safe at the end of
each journey.
Which one will you be?
Driving for work is the most dangerous activity many employees undertake. Almost 20 million cars and over 4 million vans are used for business in the UK, including company vehicles and employees using their own cars, and over half of those will likely have a crash, or sustain damage, in the next 12 months.
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Policy StatementThe Health and Safety Executive now regards existing workplace health and safety laws as
applying to anyone driving a vehicle as part of their work. This includes all employees who
drive for work whether they are in a company vehicle, their own vehicle or a hired vehicle, and
however frequently or infrequently they may drive for work.
The health and safety of all our employees, as well as members of the public, is of paramount
importance. Many drivers, however experienced, can inadvertantly put themselves at risk
through gaps in their knowledge or by relying on common misconceptions about certain
safety issues. This is why you have been given a copy of our Safer Driving Handbook.
The handbook includes advice and explanatory graphics to help you fully understand each
issue and to give you the knowledge you need to be safer when travelling for work.
Your employer has a legal duty of care to minimise the risks from driving activities both to staff
and other road users. You should read and understand this handbook, and agree to follow
the guidance regarding safe driving at all times when driving on company business.
Anyone driving on company business must comply at all times with the guidance set out in
this pack. Failure to do so will be treated as a disciplinary issue.
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Personal Responsibilities ...................................................... 6It is important that you understand whether this applies to you and what
your responsibilities are. If you ever make a journey by car in connection
with your work that is not commuting between your home and your one
main place of work, then that is a business journey.
Mobile Phone Distraction ...................................................... 7Research shows that all phone calls – using any type of mobile – distract
you from driving and it is one of the biggest contributors to crashes in
the UK. If you ever use your mobile phone whilst driving, please read the
following notes carefully to ensure you minimise the risks to your safety.
Alcohol and Drugs .............................................................. 10A driver’s judgement can be impaired by any level of alcohol or drug use
and even more so if the two are taken together. Recently the law has also
changed to bring in specifi c limits for certain prescription drugs. Please
read the following notes carefully to ensure you know the limits.
Speed and Space ............................................................... 13Breaking the speed limit rarely gets you to your destination much faster,
causes stress, puts you and other road users at risk and could jeopardise
your licence and your job. Is it worth it?
Planning Your Journey ........................................................ 16You should ensure you plan each journey appropriately so that you do
not need to speed or break any of the recommendations in The Highway
Code in order to keep to your schedule.
Safe DrivingIt Is your responsibility to observe The
Highway Code and Road Traffi c legislation at
all times.
In addition, there are a number of issues
that affect those who drive for work more
than private motorists. The information in
this handbook will help you understand each
of these issues and minimise the risks they
pose to you as a driver.
Please read your handbook thoroughly, and
feel free to share with family and friends.
Contents
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Health and Wellbeing .......................................................... 27Drivers can suffer a range of health issues that can affect their
concentration and ability to drive well including sleep disorders, poor
eyesight and aggressive attitudes. Talk to your GP if you suffer from any of
these issues.
Vehicle Maintenance ........................................................... 30Keeping your vehicle in good working order is vital for your own safety and
that of other road users. Regular checks and maintenance are essential to
make sure your car is operating as it should and to lessen the chances of
a breakdown or other problems.
Emergency Procedures ...................................................... 33It’s all to easy to panic in an emergency if you’re not too sure what to do
next. Make sure you’re clear on what to do if you experience a breakdown
or collision so that you can remain calm and safe at all times.
Vehicle Safety Systems ....................................................... 36Modern cars can now come equipped with a wealth of highly
sophisticated safety technology that can protect drivers and help prevent
some of the more common types of crash. You should consider these
types of systems whatever car you choose next.
Emergency Contact Numbers .............................. Back CoverKeep a copy of all the numbers you may need in an emergency including work contact,
leasing company assistance, breakdown/recovery company and tyre and windscreen
replacement.
Different Road Types ........................................................... 18Motorways, rural roads and urban streets all bring their own challenges
and risks. Speeds, vehicle types and hazards vary enormously between
each and you need to be alert to all of them and adapt your driving
accordingly.
Parking and Reversing ........................................................ 21Low speed manoeuvring, reversing and parking sounds easy but all too
often it proves expensive as all the little knocks and bumps mount up.
How you park can also impact your personal security when returning to
the car.
Driving in Adverse Weather ................................................. 24Bad weather can present a driver with all sorts of new challenges such as
poor visibility, a greater chance of losing control and much longer stopping
distances. Please read the following notes carefully to ensure you are well
prepared and minimise the risks to your safety.
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Your Personal Responsibilities
Does this apply to you?If you ever drive on business, whether
regularly or just occasionally, whether in a
company car, your own car or even a hire
car, you have a number of legal obligations
to help ensure your safety and that of other
road users.
First, it is important to understand what is
classed as a business journey.
Many people assume business journeys are
those made by sales reps, delivery drivers or
service engineers. In actual fact, a business
journey is any journey involving a business
task that is not simply travelling to and from
your usual place of work. Thus, the following
journeys, which employees often think of as
private journeys, are actually usually classed
as ‘business’ journeys by your insurer.
• Working at another offi ce one day a week
• Driving to another location for a
conference, exhibition or training session
• Driving to a hospitality event
• Stopping off to ‘do the post’ or deliver
something on your way home
If you ever make any of these types of journey
then you are bound by the same obligations
as typical high mileage business drivers.
Driving LicenceYou must ensure that you have a valid licence.
If you drive for work, your employer is required
to regularly verify that you have a valid driving
licence. This is because, in the event that a
driver is involved in a serious road collision,
the police investigating the accident would
ask to see that this had been done.
Remember the old paper counterpart is no
longer valid. Your plastic driving licence is a
form of photo ID and so it must be renewed
every 10 years to keep your photo up to date.
If you fail to renew it, you could be liable to a
personal fi ne of up to £1000.
Business InsuranceIf you ever drive your own car for work you
must have told your insurance company
and arranged appropriate cover for business
journeys. If you fail to do this and have an
accident, you could be prosecuted for driving
without the correct insurance.
Medical RequirementsCertain medical conditions can affect your
ability to drive, or may render your driving
licence or insurance invalid. If you are
concerned, seek advice from your doctor
immediately and notify your employer at the
earliest opportunity if you receive a positive
diagnosis. To drive, it is a legal requirement
that you are able to read a number plate
in daylight from 20.5m/67ft. You may wear
glasses or contact lenses if required. You
should take an eye test at least every two
years and inform your employer if your
eyesight deteriorates.
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Research shows increased reaction times for distracted drivers
Mobile Phone Distraction
Penalties if CaughtHandheld mobile phone
The penalties for using a handheld mobile
phone or similar device while driving:
• A £200 fi ne
• Six penalty points on your licence
• Higher insurance costs
If the case goes to court, you could face:
• A £1,000 fi ne (£2,500 if driving a bus,
coach, or heavy goods vehicle)
• Disqualifi cation
• Six penalty points on your licence
Handsfree devices
The above penalties also apply if you are
distracted and not in proper control of your
vehicle when using a handsfree phone or
similar device.
It is illegal to use a mobile phone or other piece of handheld electronic equipment whilst driving. If an employee is found to have done so and that this was a contributing factor in a road accident, the employee could be prosecuted for careless or dangerous driving for which the penalties currently include having to retake the driving test, disqualifi cation, an unlimited fi ne or up to 2 years in prison.
Drivers were caught last year illegally using a mobile phone whilst driving
x9Chances of being involved in a fatal accident if usingmobile phone whilst driving
x23Chances of beinginvolved in fatal accident if texting whilst driving
120,000
10% 20% 30% 40% 50%% Increase in Reaction Time
TypicalReaction Time
No distraction1 Second
13%
21%
27%
37%
46%
Drink DriveLimit
High onCannabis
HandsfreeMobile
Texting onMobile
HandheldMobile
x4Chances of being involvedin any accident if usingmobile phone whilst driving
!If using a phone whilst driving, your reactions are worse than if you were on the drink drive limit.
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Hands-free is safe, isn’t it?
There is a lot of confusion amongst drivers and their
employers about whether it is ever safe to use a mobile
phone whilst driving. Some believe that because using
a hands-free mobile is legal, it must be safe but this isn’t
necessarily true.
The basic fact is that if you are using a mobile phone whilst
driving, even if it is hands-free, then your reaction time WILL
be impaired. A study by the Transport Research Laboratory
showed that reaction time increased by almost 30% for
someone making a hands-free call and by almost 50% for
someone using a handheld phone.
The legal term is ‘cognitive distraction’ and it means that
the increase in reaction time comes from the fact that your
brain is having to process information about the content
of the phone call, and whether you are holding the phone
is to some extent irrelevant to the distraction. Calls using
a handheld phone are illegal because it takes one of your
hands off the wheel so you are not in full control of the car if
you need to take avoiding action.
Another common belief is that driving whilst on the phone
isn’t any different to chatting with a passenger. But if you
were in the car with a friend or colleague, do you really
think they’d keep talking to you if the person in front braked
suddenly and you had to take avoiding action?
Where areyou looking?
Driving and using the phoneat the same time means:
• Maintaining a consistent speed is more diffi cult - your
speed can creep up without you noticing
• You will tend to ‘wander about’ in your lane, sometimes
drifting onto the white lines
• You are likely to drive closer to the car in front, reducing
your available stopping distance
• You will react slower so will be much less likely to stop
in the available distance
• Your ability to judge gaps in the traffi c or other drivers’
actions will be much less effective
• You can lose awareness of your surroundings and
‘forget’ large chunks of the journey
• If you’re driving in an urban area you are at greater risk
of hitting pedestrians or cyclists
During exercises where
drivers are recorded on
video answering a series of
questions, some interesting
things happen. First, when
asked to answer some
simple questions as quickly
as possible, this proves quite
easy, but when asked similar
questions where the driver
is required to maintain eye
contact, it becomes much
more diffi cult. This exercise
highlights the dangers of
holding a conversation on a
mobile phone whilst driving.
When asked to maintain eye
contact, the driver usually
takes about 4 times as long
to answer each question, and
would have been severely
distracted had they been
driving due to the extra
concentration required. This
is because to quickly access
the part of the brain that
contains the answers, you will
generally look up to that part
of the brain - which means
that although you were
quicker with your response -
YOU WERE NOT LOOKING
AT THE ROAD!
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If you must use the phone in the car
Any time you use the phone whilst
driving you are at risk of a crash.
We sincerely recommend that you keep your
phone switched off and out of sight at all
times whilst driving.
If your employer allows you to use a phone
whilst driving you must only do so using an
approved handsfree device, and the device
must not require you to touch the phone in
order to make or answer a call. Make sure
you recognise the dangers we have outlined
and keep the number of calls and call length
to a minimum. If you think a call may last a
long time, tell the caller that you will call them
back as soon as you have found somewhere
safe to stop.
Try not to get involved in conversations that
require a lot of concentration and under no
circumstances take part in a conference call
whilst driving, or try to check text or email
messages, as this requires even greater
concentration.
Remember, as the driver, only you can
make the decision on whether it is safe
to talk on the phone whilst driving.
Using a mobile phone whilst driving
is a high risk activity. It reduces your
concentration and puts you, your
passengers and other road users at a
much higher risk of being involved in a
serious collision. If in doubt - pull over in
a safe place and continue the call whilst
stationery and with the engine turned off.
If you have a crash it could also mean:
• Serious injury or even loss of life
• Convictions for speeding, using a phone or careless driving
• A hefty fi ne, points on your licence or even a ban
• Crash repairs and increased insurance premium
They can’t seewhat you can see
A passenger can see the road ahead the
same as you, and can see what’s going on
when you have to deal with a tricky situation.
They might pause or stop the conversation
to allow you to concentrate more fully when
you need to. These conversations are
generally less demanding, often not requiring
a quick or specifi c answer, and if they do,
your passenger understands that you may
need longer to answer.
When talking on the phone, the other person
can’t see the driver or the traffi c and weather
conditions they are having to deal with
during the conversation. Often the driver
feels compelled to answer any questions as
quickly as possible so as to appear effi cient
and knowledgeable, but often this entails the
driver taking their eyes off the road.
You should also be aware that these
distractions and impairments continue
for some time after the call has ended
because it takes your brain time to forget the
conversation and re-engage with the task of
concentrating on the road ahead.
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Research shows increased reaction times for impaired drivers
Alcohol and Drugs
Penalties if CaughtThe penalties for drug driving or drink driving
are the same:
• A minimum 12 month driving ban
• A criminal record
• A fi ne of up to £5000 or
up to 6 months in prison
In addition, the driver will suffer a huge
increase in their insurance premium and
possible loss of employment if their job
requires them to drive.
A crash that involves a death or serious injury
to another road user would mean the driver
is likely to receive a lengthy prison sentence,
a longer driving ban and also be possibly
required to retake their driving test before
getting their licence back.
Alcohol and drugs can have devastating consequences on the roads. Many drivers simply underestimate how quickly their reactions can be impaired, while some even believe they may be a better and more relaxed driver.
The penalties however, refl ect the seriousness of the offence and can ruin a driver’s life rendering them unemployable.
40%of drivers are estimated to have driven in the morning while still over the limit from the night before
Drivers breathalysed each year
500,000Approximately
breathtests register positive
100,000of those, around
of those are ‘the morning after’
20,000and almost
10% 20% 30%% Increase in
Reaction Time
Typical driver’s
reaction time with
no distraction
= 1 Second
+21%
Drink DriveLimit
High onCannabis
+13%
Remember that if you are also tired, your reaction times will be impaired even further
Over Limit
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Sobering-upThe Myths:
Units of AlcoholCommon drinks can contain more units of alcohol than
drivers realise. The body only processes this acohol at
around 1 unit per hour, meaning you could still be well
over the drink drive limit the following morning.
To work out the units, multiply the volume drunk (ml) x
% alcohol and divide by 1000.
Pint of strong lager (5% ABV) = 2.8 units approxLarge glass of wine (14% ABV) = 3.5 units approxDouble gin and tonic (40% ABV) = 2.0 units approx
AlcoholWhilst it is possible to consume a small amount
of alcohol and still be legally OK to drive, your
concentration and ability to react can be signifi cantly
impaired.
After drinking alcohol, it enters your bloodstream
through the stomach and small intestine. Within
minutes it has reached your brain, heart and
muscles and is starting to affect your judgement. If
you are tired or fatigued, then you may be affected
quicker and to a greater degree.
On average it takes about 1 hour for your body to
process 1 unit of alcohol but this varies from person
to person. Typically women take longer to process
alcohol. This isn’t being sexist - women’s bodies
have less of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol.
If you are driving in Scotland, please be aware that
the drink drive limit is now lower than elsewhere in
the UK following changes to the law in 2014.
Legal limit for alcohol
England,
Wales,
N. Ireland
Scotland
Micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath 35 22
Milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood 80 50
Milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine 107 67
It is estimated that 40% of drivers
have driven the following morning
unaware that they were still over the
limit. Almost 20% of positive breath
tests are carried out in the morning.
If you have consumed an excessive
amount of alcohol the previous
evening, it is highly likely that you
could still be unfi t to drive the
following morning or even for the
whole of the following day.
There are a number of common
myths that drivers believe will help
them to recover quicker but they
simply aren’t true.
Coffee sobers you up: No it
doesn’t. Coffee contains caffeine
which is a stimulant (alcohol is a
depressant) so it may make you feel
more awake but it doesn’t sober you
up. The alcohol is still in your system.
Eat a decent meal: Eating food
can slow the rate at which your body
absorbs the alcohol but it will still be
in your system.
Get a good night’s sleep: Your
body still processes the alcohol at
the same speed whether you’re
awake or asleep.
Remember it takes around 1 hour for
the body to process 1 unit of alcohol
and there is nothing you can do to
speed this up.
Different people react at different
speeds to alcohol so it is not possible
to say that you would be OK to drive
after one or maybe two drinks.
The only safe advice is this:
• If you’ve going to drink - don’t drive
• If you’re going to drink a lot - don’t
drive the following morning
• If you must drive - stay on soft drinks!
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Prescription drugs covered
by this legislation include.
Prescription Drug Limit
Clonazepam 50 μg/L
Diazepam 550 μg/L
Flunitrazepam 300 μg/L
Lorazepam 100 μg/L
Methadone 500 μg/L
Morphine 80 μg/L
Oxazepam 300 μg/L
Temazepam 1000 μg/L
Illicit Drugs
Driving under the infl uence of any illicit drug
is illegal and, in addition to the penalties
outlined on the fi rst page, if you are caught
driving whilst at work, you will almost certainly
be dismissed. Drug users often convince
themselves that either they aren’t affected or it
makes them calmer and more relaxed so they
are better drivers. This is not true.
Cannabis: Slows the user down and affects
memory and concentration. It also causes
mild hallucinations and distorts the users
sense of space and time. More worryingly, the
effects can still be present 24 hours after use.
Amphetamines or ‘speed’: Tempting
for those who need to stay awake and
alert at night but leads to restlessness
and hyperactivity causing the user to be
impatient and take risks. The user can suffer
exhaustion when the drug wears off.
Ecstasy: A marked dip in performance and
concentration 3 or 4 days after use.
Cocaine: Makes user feel invincible but it
reduces their ability to make rational decisions
and can affect behaviour for days after use.
Ketamine: Recently reclassifi ed due to
evidence of its physical and psychological
dangers. There is evidence of users as young
as 20 needing their bladders to be removed
following heavy use.
Legal Highs: These are largely untested
but they are designed to mimic the effects
of the drugs outlined above and so can be
expected to impair a driver’s reactions.
Prescription DrugsMany prescription drugs can also impair a
driver’s reactions, especially when combined
with alcohol and tiredness. Please make sure
you read any instructions carefully regarding
useage. If you are prescribed any drugs or
medication, you should make your doctor
aware that your job entails driving and ensure
that you are aware of any restrictions on
driving that are advised when taking the
drugs or medication. If there are restrictions
on your driving, you should inform your
manager immediately.
While it has always been an offence to drive
under the infl uence of drugs, legislation
changes as of 2nd March 2015 now specify
a legal limit, in the same way that there is a
limit for alcohol, above which the driver will
be prosecuted.
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Speed and SpaceDriving at excessive speed puts you at greater risk because it limits the space you have to react to unforeseen events.
It doesn’t matter how good a driver you are,
your car will always need a minimum amount
of distance to stop in the prevailing conditions,
and if you speed or drive too close to the car
in front, you may fi nd the space available is
not enough to avoid a serious collision. The
faster you are travelling or the worse the road
conditions, the more space you will need.
Type of vehicle Built-up areasmph (kph)
Singlecarriageways
mph (kph)
Dualcarriageways
mph (kph)
Motorways
mph (kph)
Cars and vehicles (including dual-purpose vehicles and car-derived vans up to 2 tonnes max laden weight)
30 (48) 60 (96) 70 (112) 70 (112)
Cars towing caravans or trailers (including car-derived vans and motorcycles)
30 (48) 50 (80) 60 (96) 60 (96)
Motor homes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)
30 (48) 60 (96) 70 (112) 70 (112)
Motor homes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)
30 (48) 50 (80) 60 (96) 70 (112)
Buses, coaches and minibuses (not more than 12 metres overall length)
30 (48) 50 (80) 60 (96) 70 (112)
Goods vehicles (not more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight)
30 (48) 50 (80) 60 (96) 70 (112)60(96) If articulated, or towing a trailer
Goods vehicles (more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight)
30 (48) 40 (64) 50 (80) 60 (96)
Penalties for SpeedingIf you are caught speeding, you could face:
• A £100 fi ne
• Three penalty points on your licence
• Higher insurance costs
If you are caught speeding by a larger
amount, you could face stiffer penalties such
as a bigger fi ne, more points and possibly a
driving ban.
The speed limit is the absolute maximum
and it doesn’t mean it’s safe to drive at
this speed in all conditions.
Speed LimitsIn a built up area with street lights no more
than 200 yards apart, a speed limit of 30mph
applies, unless signs show otherwise.
On any other road the national speed limit will
apply unless signs show otherwise. In a car
this is 60mph for single carriageway roads
and 70mph on dual carriageway roads.
If the speed limit is any different, the start of
the limit will have what is called a ‘gateway
sign’ with a large speed limit sign on either
side of the carraigeway. The road will then
have smaller ‘repeater’ speed limit signs
every 200 yards.
Different speed limits apply to different vehicles on different types of road
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Braking Distance
Think about this...
A standard double decker bus is around 10
metres long. If you overtook one at 30mph
and, as you started to pass the bus, a
passenger walked out from in front of the
bus, the chances are you may hit them
before you had touched the brake pedal.
You would travel almost the entire length
of the bus while your brain registered
the pedestrain ahead and translated that
information into a signal to your foot to press
the brake pedal.
At 40mph, your entire car would be almost
fully past the front of the bus before you
actually started braking, especially if you
were on the phone or otherwise distracted.
Reaction time
Always remember that emergency braking is
made up of two stages.
1. Reaction time - usually around 1 second
2. Braking time - depends on your speed
and the road conditions
If you leave a gap smaller than two seconds
to the car in front and it suddenly stops,
you are at risk of running into the back of it,
especially if you are distracted.
At 30mph, you will travel approximately 9
metres (27 feet) between spotting the hazard
and actually pressing your brake pedal.
40mph
REACTION 12m/39ft
30mph
REACTION 9m/29ft BRAKING 14m/46ft
What’s a few extra mph?
A small increase in speed will result in a much
greater braking distance. Travelling at 45mph
will give you an overall stopping distance of
almost twice that needed at 30mph.
Or imagine you were travelling at 37mph in
a 40mph zone and just managed to stop to
avoid a pedestrian or another car. Had you
been travelling at 40mph, you would have hit
the obstacle at between 15-20mph because
half your speed is lost in the last 5 metres of
braking
Slow down
Make sure you slow down when entering
rural towns and villages where the speed
limit may have been 60mph and reduces
to 30mph. You should reduce your speed
further to 20mph if passing a school or there
are parked cars meaning your visibility of
hazards is reduced.
Slow down if weather conditions worsen.
Your braking distance will at least double in
wet weather and it could take you 10 times
as long to stop on icy roads.
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Leave More Space
Travelling too close
Travelling too close to the vehicle in front
severely restricts your view of the road ahead
and so you will be much less likely to spot
hazards ahead. Follow the two second rule
using a lamp post or tree to count the gap
as you both pass it. Increase your gap in bad
weather and don’t worry if someone pulls
into the gap. Simply drop back to maintain
your gap. Over the course of your journey,
this will make very little difference at all.
With this additional space you should have
a better view of what might be happening
ahead of the car in front. You might be
approaching stationery traffi c, or maybe a
side road. Because you have more warning,
you will now be able to brake more gently
giving the traffi c behind you more warning so
they are less likely to have to brake hard and
risk running into the back of you.
Never tailgate another driver, especially one
who may have annoyed you with their own
actions. It is quite common for the car in front
to try and ‘brake test’ the driver behind so
the risk of a collision is high. If you are being
tailgated and feel threatened or pushed into
speeding, indicate left and let them past.
Don’t be tempted to brake test the other
driver or to break the speed limit yourself to
get away.
Brakes and tyres
Remember that if your brakes and tyres are
worn, it could take you longer to stop than
the car in front, especially if the car in front
has new tyres and brakes. A tyre with tread
just above the legal limit will take 25% longer
to stop on a wet road than a tyre with a bit
more tread.
Similarly, if you have just had new tyres and
brakes fi tted to your car, allow for the fact
that drivers behind may not be able to stop
as quickly as you can. Leave more space in
front to allow you to brake more gently and
give anyone behind more warning that you
may need to stop.
If someone behind you is driving too close
and it isn’t possible to let them past then
leave as much space as possible in front of
you. You will need to brake more gently in an
emergency to try and prevent them running
into the back of your vehicle.
15
Planning Your JourneyPlanning your journey effectively brings a number of benefi ts:
• You will be able to set off in good time and so be less stressed throughout the journey and less anxious that you could be late or encounter problems.
• You won’t need to speed and will be able to concentrate more fully on driving safely, reducing the risks for you and other road users.
• You’ll be better able to deal with roadworks and other unexpected delays.
• You will able to drive more smoothly saving wear and tear on the car and using less fuel.
Do you have to drive?
Obviously there will be many journeys where
you do have to drive but could you use the
train, especially on longer journeys, where
a couple of hours working on your laptop
would be much more productive than sitting
in a queue through 20 miles of motorway
roadwords.
Have you checked your vehicles?
Before setting off, make sure you have
checked your vehicle and the tyres,
windscreen wipers, washers and lights are all
in working order and that you have enough
fuel, or you have a fuel stop planned.
Are you over the limit?
If you have to set off early, make sure you
haven’t drunk heavily the night before and run
the risk of still being over the limit. Remember
that your body processes alcohol at
approximately one unit per hour. The law also
now puts limits on the amount of prescription
drugs that can be in your system.
What to Plan
What time are you travelling?
Try to avoid driving when you would normally
be asleep such as the early hours of the
morning. The roads will be quieter but you
are much more likely to feel drowsy if you
aren’t fully rested. Also avoid starting a long
journey after a long day’s work as your ability
to concentrate is likely to reduce much
quicker. You are most likely to fall asleep
between 2am and 6am and mid afternoon,
especially after a heavy lunch.
Will you need to stop?
If you think you will need to stop for fuel, or
a rest, or to stop overnight, then plan this in
advance so you don’t become stressed trying
to fi nd somewhere appropriate mid-journey.
Can you share the driving?
If you’re travelling with a colleague, are
they covered on the insurance so you can
share the driving? This can really reduce the
amount of fatigue and mean you are fresher
at the other end of the journey.
16
Navigation increases residual value
Studies have shown that navigation systems
can save fuel, time and CO2 emissions,
reduce stress and provide greater comfort,
therefore having a very positive impact
on the TCO (total cost of ownership) and
residual value. As sat nav is more and more
in demand, the residual value of those with
navigation will increase accordingly and they
will become more attractive propositions on
the second hand market.
Updates are important
Map updates are particularly important
in this equation as they offer drivers the
latest information which in turn enables the
navigation system to continue operating at its
best – even if the vehicle is bought second
hand. Many options on a vehicle may well
depreciate but a sat nav system will retain its
value because the maps can be updated.
The Benefi ts of Satellite Navigation
If you start to feel sleepy
You won’t fall asleep without warning. If you
have been at the wheel too long, or you
weren’t properly rested before you set out,
you may start to feel your concentration
slipping. If you continue you may then feel
your eyelids getting heavy and fi nd you have
to make a conscious effort to keep your eyes
open. This will only get worse.
Try opening the window or listening to the
radio to stay alert and stop as soon as you
can for a break where it is safe to do so.
If you’re on the motorway stop in the next
services, or if you’re on a rural road, try and
fi nd a layby or car park. Take a short nap if
possible and drink a coffee or energy drink to
try and wake yourself up.
Feeling Tired or Sleepy?
This will only help for a short period,
especially if it’s dark as the poor light will
strain your eyes and make you feel even
more tired. If you are unable to complete
your journey in safety, fi nd somewhere to
stay overnight.
17
Different Road TypesDifferent road types present different risks to drivers. Motorways are faster, rural roads have more hidden hazards, while urban areas hold more risk of low speed collisions.
Being confi dent on different road types and
understanding the different risks is vital to
staying safe.
Motorways Rural Roads Urban Roads
Incidents
SeriousInjuries
100%
100%
+
+
+
+
=
=4% 50% 46%
Where will you crash?
3% 23% 74%
MotorwaysYou may be surprised to see that such a small
percentage of incidents and injuries happen
on motorways, however this is largely down to
the fact that except for the occasional incident
that makes the evening news, all the vehicles
are generally travelling in the same direction,
with the two carriageways separated by a
strong central barrier.
When incidents do happen, they are often
much more serious due to the higher speeds
involved and they often involve multiple
vehicles, especially at busy times of the day.
One of the common mistakes drivers make
on motorways is travelling too close to the
car in front, especially in bad weather. Many
drivers seem not to have the slightest clue as
to how much time they will need to react to
the car in front, let alone brake and stop.
Look at the two cars in the outside lane in the
picture above which are too close together.
If the car in front were to brake hard, the car
behind would hit it before the driver had even
registered what was happening and tried to
apply their own brakes. Now look at the three
cars in the middle lane who are also too close
and at risk of the same incident happening.
18
Motorways (continued)
Creating space for yourself on a busy
motorway is hugely important. Many drivers
feel the need to close up to the car in front
so that other people can’t pull in to the gap
in front, but in reality, even if a few drivers do
squeeze into the gap and force you to drop
back, your progress won’t be impeded much
yet you will likely arrive at your destination
calmer and less stressed.
There is quite a fun game you can try on the
motorway as it illustrates how other drivers
don’t really think about the consequences of
their actions.
If you’re driving quite close to the car in front
to stop others pulling out in front of you, it
is tempting to think you NEED to do this
because everyone around you is doing the
same, but actually they are all copying each
other. This creates huge danger because
nobody has the space they need to take
avoiding action if required and this in turn –
high speeds and travelling too close together
– is usually what causes multiple car pile-ups
on the motorway.
Next time you’re on the motorway, try leaving
a much bigger gap in front and what you will
often fi nd is that other drivers will start to copy
you. If they pass you on the right they’ll leave
more space to the car in front because they
don’t perceive you as a threat. Once past you,
they will often close up to the car in front again
but very quickly you can fi nd yourself in an
empty space the size of a football pitch. This
puts you in a much safer position because
those around you will now have the space
needed to take action should they need to.
Another tip for motorways is to get past
large trucks as quickly as possible. It is much
more diffi cult for truck drivers to see you
and their attention is often elsewhere. Not all
truck drivers behave badly but you will see
many driving extremely close to the truck in
front. They are ‘slipstreaming’ the fi rst truck
because they will use less fuel but it means
they have to concentrate more on the vehicle
in front and less on you.
We also now have a lot of foreign truck
drivers on our roads and they often have a
more relaxed view of using a phone whilst
driving. Motorway police will tell you it’s not
at all uncommon to fi nd drivers using their
phones to text, look at the internet and even
watch fi lms – if they’re doing any of these
things then they’re not looking at you so get
past as quickly and safely as you can.
Finally, remember your motorway etiquette.
Don’t hog the middle and outside lanes – use
them for overtaking slower cars and then pull
back in to the left hand lane. In slow-moving
busy traffi ic – stay in one lane and don’t keep
switching – it won’t get you there any faster.
Finally, watch your speed. The new smart
motorways being installed are going to make
it much harder to drive over the speed limit
without getting caught. Get used to planning
your journeys so you have plenty of time and
relax, leaving plenty of space in front.
Rural RoadsRural roads account for about a quarter of all
incidents but half of all serious injuries, this is
because, unlike motorways, it is all too easy
to misjudge a situation and fi nd yourself in
the path of oncoming traffi c. Your speed can
be almost as fast but the range of hazards a
driver can encounter can be bewildering.
19
Rural Roads (continued)
Roads are rarely straight for long periods.
Hedges and trees can block your view
beyond the next bend so it is hard to know
what could be coming up, even if you know
the road. Other road users could be travelling
at signifi cantly different speeds to you such as
cyclists, pedestrians, horses and tractors. If
you meet one of these halfway round a corner
and you’re travelling too fast, your only option
to avoid a fatality could be to go on the wrong
side of the road at a point when you can’t see
what is coming the other way.
Misjudge your speed into a right hand bend
and the car could drift left and into a hedge
or ditch. Misjudge it on a left hand bend and
you could be heading into oncoming traffi c.
You might think your speed is OK but beware
of roads which get used by farm vehicles – a
road covered in mud offers much less grip
and can be quite treacherous, especially when
it is also raining.
Many rural roads have concealed side roads
on bends, just after bends and going through
villages. There might also be bus stops or
village schools. Look out for road signs that
tell you what’s coming up and adjust your
speed accordingly. Country roads and lanes
can often narrow without warning, sometimes
with only enough room for one car at a time.
The quality of the tarmac can also be patchy
with an uneven surface and deep potholes
that you may need to drive round.
Remember the speed limit is just that –
a limit and not a target!
Urban RoadsThree quarters of collisions happen on urban
roads because there is so much more going
on in a confi ned space, it is diffi cult for a driver
to take everything in. Almost half the serious
injuries occur in urban settings but are less
likely to involve vehicle occupants due to
slower speeds. Casualties are more likely to
include pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists
as these road users make up the majority of
the casualties.
Drivers need to concentrate on traffi c
coming from many directions. It may not
be immediately obvious at some junctions
who has the right of way, and there could be
pedestrians crossing at the same time. Some
cyclists think red traffi c lights don’t apply
to them while some drivers think they can
whizz through junctions on amber with some
leaving it perilously late and actually going
through on red.
If you feel there is too much going on, slow
down. Visibility can often be impaired due to
street furniture, buses and delivery lorries.
On street parking or poor parking can often
narrow the road so that only single fi le traffi c
is possible. Make sure you are aware of
what’s going on around you.
Know where you’re going and use a satellite
navigation system if possible. Look ahead
and plan any manoeuvres early. If you need
to change lanes, make sure you do so in
good time. Indicate early to give other road
users as much warning as possible of your
intentions. Scan for potential hazards ahead.
Try to minimise the chances of you being
surprised by another road users actions.
20
Parking and ReversingAll those annoying little low speed bumps and scrapes can add up to a lot of expense for the vehicle owner whether you drive a company car or your own vehicle for work. A bit of extra care can pay huge dividends.
Low speed damage is common. Around
30-35% of vehicle damage can be down to
low speed or parking incidents. Little parking
dents in the doors, a small scuff on the
bumper corner and an alloy wheel brushed
against a kerb.
Many drivers don’t realise how all these small
bits of damage mount up until it’s too late. If
your car is leased then the chances are the
leasing company will send a bill for all the
repairs when the car is handed back. Leasing
companies have very strict standards of
what constitutes acceptable wear and tear
on the vehicle, and anything outside of this
will impact the resale value that was used to
calculate your previous monthly payments.
This can have a big impact on you as the
keeper of the vehicle, regardless of who
owns the car. If it’s your own vehicle, the bill
will come straight to you – an unexpected
surprise! If the vehicle was a company car,
then your employer will get the bill, however
many employers pass these costs directly on
to their drivers, while those that don’t may
soon change their mind if the bills become
larger and more frequent.
The costs can be quite dramatic. A scuffed
bumper could
be up to £500
to repair while a
broken bumper
could be around
£750 to replace.
Alloy wheels
can be very expensive. Plain silver fi nished
wheels can often be repaired quite cheaply
but diamond-cut wheels, typically a mix
black and silver, are usually too diffi cult
to repair and may need to be replaced at
anywhere between £250 and £1000 each,
depending on style and size.
If you’ve damaged a wheel quite badly on
either a kerb or pothole, the chances are
you may have also damaged the tyre. Any
damage to the sidewall of the tyre such
as cuts or bulges will mean the tyre needs
replacing, usually at a cost of around £100-
200 per tyre.
Wings, doors and door mirrors often get
damaged in car parks as doors get opened
and drivers get in and out. Minor dings can
often be fi xed quite cheaply but large ones
may be more complex repairs.
The really expensive mistakes come when a
driver scrapes their vehicle against another car
or a fi xed object such as a concrete bollard.
The costs of these repairs can easily exceed
a couple of thousand pounds. Often these
mistakes are simply down to rushing or not
paying enough attention when judging a gap,
and the driver knows that with a little more
care, the damage would have been avoided.
This update contains a variety of hints
and tips to help you avoid more of those
annoying low speed bumps and scrapes.
21
Smarter Parking
Reverse in to your space
There are a number of reasons why you
should reverse into your space.
Choose your space
Improving your parking awareness can help
minimise the damage to your car but you’re
still at the mercy of others doing the damage
for you. You can reduce the chances of this
by being more selective about where you
choose to park wherever possible.
Parking ‘dings’ from a neighbour’s car
door bashing into your car can be hugely
annoying. If we’re parking at a supermarket
or in a public car park, our fi rst instinct is to
try and park as close to the supermarket
door or the car park exit as possible to
shorten the walk. But this is what everyone
else is trying to do as well so you can reduce
the chances of a ‘ding’ by parking further
towards the back of the car park.
If this isn’t possible, take a look at the
options of who you can park next to.
• Try not to park next to cars which
themselves have been parked badly,
especially if the car is further over to your
side of its own space. There is a greater
chance that the driver could bash your
car with their doors.
• Shiny new 4x4s may look like they have
careful owners but they are often too wide
for the space and might not be able to
help making contact.
• Be careful of cars with child seats in
the back – a fraught mother with tired
children will be more concerned about
getting the children safely in the car and
may not even notice if she hit your car.
• An older, or already damaged car might
have a less considerate owner with the
view that ‘one more ding’ won’t matter.
In general try to aim for newer cars that look
well parked and have also been reversed into
their space.
1 It is easier to line the car up straight within the parking space.
2 When leaving you have a better view of when it is clear to exit the parking space.
3 You are less likely to scrape an adjacent vehicle.
4 You will be more secure when entering or leaving the vehicle as you will have the open door between you and any would-be attacker.
Use all your mirrors when reversing to ensure
you don’t collide with any other vehicles,
pedestrian or fi xed objects. If your mirrors
are adjusted correctly, you should be able to
see most of the reversing area without having
to twist awkwardly. If you have electric door
mirrors it may be useful to adjust the door
mirrors downwards so you can see kerbs or
bay markings.
Before reversing your vehicle, whether in
a car park or elsewhere, always take care
to look out for other vehicles including
cars, vans, lorries, buses and especially
motorbikes. Also potential hazards such
as pedestrians, cyclists, animals and street
furniture such as bollards, lamp posts, kerbs
and walls. Make extra use of your mirrors
and be aware of any blind spots. If you are
at all unsure it is clear to complete your
manoeuvre, get out of the vehicle and check
the available space before moving.
22
Techniques for Better Parking
Parallel Parking
1. You will need to fi nd a gap at least 1¼ times the length of your car. Drive past your chosen space, stopping alongside and slightly in front of the next parked vehicle. Turn your steering wheel a full turn to the left and select reverse gear.
2. Reverse slowly into the space checking the front of your car doesn’t swing out into oncoming traffi c. Line the drivers’ side of your car up with the nearside
front corner of the car behind and stop. Straighten up the steering wheel and continue in reverse until it is safe to steer in without clipping the car in front.
3. Turn the steering wheel to the right to tuck the front of the car into the space. Straighten the steering wheel and drive forwards if necessary to position the car in the centre of the space.
Bay Parking
Driving in forwards reduces your ability to manoeuvre the car.
It also increases the risk that when reversing out, you will do so into the path of a passing vehicle or that you will hit the car next to you.
Reversing in makes it easier to straighten the car up in the space and gives much greater visibility when leaving driving out.
23
Driving in Adverse WeatherBad weather can strike suddenly and unexpectedly. A journey starting in fi ne weather could easily end in fog, driving rain, even ice and snow. Many drivers fi nd themselves unprepared, so take extra care, especially if you aren’t used to driving in treacherous conditions.
In winter it is more important than ever to
check that your vehicle is well maintained.
Adequate tread depth is essential for grip in
wet or icy conditions, and drivers who fail
to ensure this are not only risking their own
lives, but also those of other road users.
The tyre tread helps to disperse water when
driving in rain and sharp edges on the tread
block help provide grip on ice and snow.
UK law requires that tyres should have a
minimum tread depth of 1.6mm across the
central three-quarters of the tyre surface,
and around the tyre’s entire circumference,
however tyre performance is much poorer
when the tread is close to the minimum limit.
Winter tyres have more fl exibility when the
temperature is really cold, and a different
tread pattern which helps them grip the road
better in wet or icy conditions. A vehicle
travelling at 30 mph on a snow-covered road
will stop in 35m whereas the same car on
summer tyres will require 43m. Ask you local
tyre dealer for more information.
Centre 3/4 (75%) of tyre tread
not less than 1.6mm deep
Tread Wear Indicator
8mm
Good7mm
6mm
5mm
4mmInspect Monthly
3mm
2mm Replace Urgently
1.6mm Legal Limit
The braking distance at
50mph on a wet surface
increases dramatically as the
tyre tread wears down.
8mm = 25 metres 4mm = 30 metres 3mm = 38 metres 1.6 mm = 53 metres
3mm tread = 25% better than
‘just legal’ 1.6mm!
Vehicle ChecksKeeping your car in good working order for
the winter is essential. Many garages offer a
‘winter check’ which is often free, covering
the vehicle’s fl uid levels, antifreeze, brakes
and tyres.
• Make sure your lights, windows and
mirrors are clean. Ensure all snow is
cleared from your car before setting off –
not just windows and lights, but also any
loose snow on the roof, bonnet or boot lid.
This could slide off your car while driving
causing a hazard to both yourself and
other road users.
• Ensure your engine coolant, antifreeze, oil
and brake fl uid are all topped up. Special
winter additives are available to add to
windscreen washer bottles.
• Make sure your wiper blades are clean
and in good condition.
• Check that your tyres have plenty of tread
depth, making sure to check across the
entire width of the tyre, that they are at
the correct pressure, and don’t have any
cuts or bulges in the sidewall.
Tyre Checks
24
Adjust Your Driving Style
Snow, ice and slush
• In icy conditions, use your car’s winter setting if it has one
(normally a button with a snowfl ake near the gearstick).
• It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions than on
a dry road, drive slowly, allowing extra room to slow down
and stop.
• Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin and
avoid harsh braking and acceleration, driving as gently and
smoothly as possible.
• To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, allow
your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently. Be aware
of a fast juddering noise and sensation through the brake
pedal. This is the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) working
and is perfectly normal. ABS will allow you to brake heavily
and steer the car at the same time to help avoid a collision.
• If the vehicle starts to skid, do not panic. If your car has an
electronic stability control programme (most modern cars
have this) then continue to steer the vehicle in the direction
you want to go and allow the car’s safety systems to try
and straighten the car up. Ease off the accelerator but do
not brake suddenly.
Rain
In wet weather, stopping distances will be much longer than you
would require in dry conditions.
• Keep as far back from other vehicles as possible, especially
if spray is making it diffi cult for you to see the road ahead.
• When travelling through large puddles keep a fi rm grip
on the steering wheel and don’t attempt to drive too fast.
Aquaplaning can happen if you travel too fast through
standing water. This is where the vehicle skates across the
top of the water and you could experience a loss of control.
• Don’t attempt to negotiate any fl ooded roads unless you
are sure the water is shallow enough to do so.
Fog
• Drive slowly using dipped headlights and do not hang on
to the tail-lights of the vehicle in front. This gives you a false
sense of security and means you may be driving too close.
• Use fog-lights if visibility is seriously reduced, but remember
to switch them off when visibility improves. Once visibility
returns to more than 100 metres, you should turn off your
fog lights.
• Fog can be patchy and often drifts rapidly. If it seems to
be clearing, be wary of speeding up too much as you can
suddenly fi nd yourself back in thick fog.
25
If you are worried about the possibility of bad
weather, you would be well advised to take
the following precautions before setting off:
• Check weather forecasts and latest
travel information before you set off.
• Listen to the radio for the latest travel
information during your journey.
• Advise someone at your destination
what time you expect to arrive.
• Make sure your lights, windows and
mirrors are all clean before you set out
and carry an ice scraper and a can of
de-icer.
Journey Planning Need Assistance?• Do not use a hand-held mobile phone
while driving. If you need assistance,
stop somewhere safe or ask a
passenger to make the call.
• On a motorway, try to stop beside a
roadside emergency telephone so the
breakdown and emergency services
can quickly locate you. If you have to
use a mobile phone, use the numbers
on the marker posts on the side of the
hard shoulder to tell the operator where
you are.
• Abandoned vehicles can hold up rescue
vehicles so stay with your vehicle until
help arrives.
• If you have to leave your vehicle to get
help, make sure you are visible to other
drivers.
26
Health and Wellbeing
TirednessUp to 20% of crashes on main roads and
motorways are thought to involve a driver
who has fallen asleep at the wheel. One of
the common factors is that often the crash is
very severe because the driver hasn’t braked.
There are videos on the internet captured
from other in-vehicle cameras and they often
show the sleepy driver slam into another
vehicle before waking up from the impact
and applying their brakes after the impact
has occurred. On a motorway this means the
crash will happen at very high speed and can
involve many more unsuspecting motorists.
Research shows that people don’t suddenly
fall asleep. There are warning signs that
should highlight to any driver the need to take
a break. You may start to yawn regularly and
have diffi culty concentrating. Your eyelids will
start to feel heavy and you may experience
an almost uncontrollable urge to close them
for just a second. You may also feel your neck
muscles relax causing your head to droop.
Be aware if you have reason to be tired
from either lack of sleep or if you have been
driving for a long time. As a driver, you need
to recognise these symptoms and fi nd
somewhere to stop and rest. If you fall asleep
at the wheel and cause a crash in which other
people die, you can be charged with death by
dangerous driving which carries a maximum
penalty of 14 years in prison.
Many deaths and injuries are caused each year on Britain’s roads by driver’s who have failed to spot health issues and crashed as a result. Two of the most common are tiredness and poor eyesight. If you recognise any of the issues discussed here, please talk to your GP.
Tiredness SymptomsIf you experience any of these symptoms,
stop and rest as long as needed before
trying to continue your journey:
• Yawning regularly
• Lack of concentration
• An urge to close your eyes for a second
• Your head starts to droop
Tips to combat tiredness
• Make sure you are well rested before
driving, especially before long journeys.
• Take a 15 minute break every 2 hours
but if you feel tired earlier, stop earlier and
rest. When setting out on a long journey,
include rest stops in your planning.
• Drink coffee or energy drinks to maintain
concentration, however bear in mind these
are short term remedies only. If you are
very tired, the effects can wear off quickly.
• Driving with the window open or the
radio on can help maintain alertness but,
as with coffee, remember this is a short
term remedy only and you should look for
somewhere to stop and rest.
• If you have a day’s work followed by a
long journey home, it may be better to
stay overnight and drive home fresh and
alert the next morning.
• Try to avoid driving in the early hours of
the morning (before 6am) and in the early
afternoon. These are the times when
most tiredness related crashes occur.
• Make sure you read the label fully on any
medicines you may be taking to see if they
cause drowsiness or impair your driving.
27
Sleep ApnoeaSleep apnoea is a condition where the
sufferer has their sleep interrupted constantly
throughout the night due to breathing
diffi culties. It is estimated that around 1.8
million people in the UK suffer from sleep
apnoea yet only around 400,000 are aware
they have the condition. Many are unaware
because it is not commonly known about.
It is caused by brief interruptions in breathing
Stress and FrustrationIt is easy to get frustrated and angry with
other road users if they do something
unexpected, inconsiderate or even
dangerous. Our reactions to this can be
worse when we are also tired, overworked or
feeling stressed.
When a driver becomes aggressive or
frustrated, it reduces their ability to make
rational decisions and to recognise potential
hazards. This, in turn, puts them at a much
greater risk of being involved in a serious
collision.
Angry and frustrated drivers are also much
more likely to take risks such as speeding,
driving too close to the car in front or taking a
chance on an amber traffi c light.
Venting your anger at another road user is
rarely a satisfying solution. It is easy for the
confrontation to escalate as both drivers feel
overly secure in their cars while moving, but
then become anxious if the traffi c lights or
roadworks mean they then have to stop next
to the other driver.
while the sufferer is asleep. This causes the
sufferer to wake up briefl y before falling asleep
again. This cycle can happen hundreds of
times a night without the sufferer being aware,
so they only get poor quality sleep and never
get the chance to enter a deeper, more
restful sleep. If you often feel unusually tired
during the day, and recognise that it could be
affecting your driving, talk to your GP.
Tips for dealing with stress
• Do your best to ignore the inconsiderate
actions of other road users and don’t let
your frustrations boil over into aggressive
behaviour. Remain calm and put the
incident out of your mind as quickly as
possible. Don’t be tempted to catch up
with them to let them know how you feel.
• Try to anticipate the actions of others
earlier and allow for the fact they could
do something unexpected and leave
room just in case. It won’t slow you down
but it will mean you are less likely to be
surprised and will help you stay calmer
and more relaxed.
• Don’t drive tired or hungry. Both make
you likely to behave more aggressively
and less thoughtfully than you would
otherwise. If necessary stop for a rest and
some food but don’t eat whilst driving.
• You may be stressed from work with
important meetings or a problem client.
You may also be stressed from situations
outside work in your personal life. Try to
put these out of your mind while driving.
• Remember that other drivers may also
be experiencing similar stresses and
that their inconsiderate behaviour may
not be intentional but merely a lapse in
concentration – we all make mistakes
from time to time. You may be getting
aggressive with someone who’s had no
sleep because their partner has just left
them or they’re on their way to a diffi cult
meeting at work that could mean their job
is in the balance.
28
Poor eyesightYour eyesight can become impaired for a
number of reasons. The shape of your eyes
changes as you get older so many people
fi nd their vision becomes impaired with age.
Eye disease such as glaucoma and cataracts
can also severely impair vision. Eyesight
problems may make it more diffi cult for you
to see at night or may restrict your fi eld of
vision, reducing your ability to spot hazards
whilst driving.
Your eyesight can deteriorate over time
without you realising it so it is wise to have
your eyes tested regularly. You should do
this at least every two years, and preferably
every year. Regular eye tests can also
highlight other health issues which may not
have otherwise been spotted allowing earlier
treatment and a better chance of recovery.
It is a legal requirement that you can read a
number plate from 20 metres away. If an eye
test shows that you need glasses or contact
lenses to do this then you must always wear
them to drive. If you drive at night, ask for
glasses with an anti-refl ective coating as this
will help reduce glare.
If possible keep a spare pair of glasses
in your vehicle and also keep a pair of
prescription sunglasses for sunny weather.
If you are stopped by the police and they
fi nd you need glasses but are driving
without, they can revoke your licence almost
immediately at the roadside meaning you will
unable to drive again until you can prove you
have the correct glasses or contact lenses.
If you cause an accident due to poor vision
you could receive points on your licence, a
hefty fi ne and even face criminal prosecution.
29
Vehicle MaintenanceYou should always ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy and in a safe condition to make any journey. Regularly check oil, coolant and windscreen washer fl uid levels together with tyre tread depth and pressures. Ensure all your external lights are working correctly and also check your windscreen for chips and cracks which should be repaired at the earliest opportunity.
5
1
7
9
432
108
6
1: Fluids – Oil, water, washer bottle
2: Tyre tread depth
3: Tyre pressure
4: Front lights – sidelights, main beam and indicators
5: Rear lights – indicators, brake lights, reverse and fog lights
6: Washer jets are pointing at windscreen
7: Wiper blades
8: Chipped or cracked windscreen
9: Cracked mirror glass
10: Spare wheel or puncture repair kit
10 Point
Vehicle CheckYou should check your
vehicle regularly to ensure
that it is in safe working
order. Tyres and windscreens
should be checked weekly
or before any long journey.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your
car is serviced in line with the manufacturer’s
recommendations and that it has a valid
MOT test certifi cate where required.
If you are using a leased vehicle, it must
be returned in good condition at the end
of the contract period or you will be likely
to get a large unexpected bill for repairs.
Make sure you attend to any damage and
return any items such as spare keys and the
manufacturer’s handbook with the car to
avoid these extra charges.
30
WindscreenAlways make sure your windscreen is kept
clean inside and out. This is particularly
important when the sun is low as it can make
visibility diffi cult through a dirty windscreen.
Check the windscreen regularly for cracks or
chips which must be addressed as soon as
possible. Many chips can be repaired by a
competent windscreen replacement service
and this is far cheaper and more convenient
than having to replace the screen, which
will be inevitable if you leave the chip
unrepaired. It is illegal to drive a car with
any damage to zone A of the windscreen
(see below).A wiper blade will typically last
just 6 months before it starts to degrade
and underperform. Gently wipe the blade
regularly to keep it clean and check the
rubber for wear or splits. Streaks during
use are a sign of worn rubber and the
wiper should be replaced. Make sure you
also check your washer fl uid level on a
regular basis. It is an offence to drive with
worn wipers or no screen wash.
When should the screen be replaced?
Zone A: Damage larger than 10mm
Zone B: Damage larger than 40mm
Zone C: Damage larger than 40mm
Zone D: Damage larger than 40mm
What can be repaired?
Zone A: Damage smaller than 10mm
Zone B: Damage smaller than 15mm
Zone C: Damage smaller than 25mm
Zone D: Damage smaller than 40mm
D
CB
A
290mmB
Penalties if CaughtCracked Windscreen
Damage to your windscreen could get
you a fi xed penalty:
• A £100 fi ne
• Three penalty points
Poor Tyre Tread
If you tyre tread is too low you get a fi xed
penalty FOR EACH DEFECTIVE TYRE:
• A £100 fi ne
• Three penalty points
31
TyresVisually check the tread on your tyres every
week including the inside edges as wear can
be uneven. Hitting a pothole or a kerb can
damage the suspension and wheel alignment
causing uneven wear across the tyre.
Seating PositionYour seat should be positioned so that you
can comfortably hold the steering wheel at
the ‘ten to two’ position with your elbows
bent at almost 90 degrees. If you are too
close you will not be able to react as quickly
as you may need to in an emergency. If
you sit too far back with your arms straight,
you will not be able to control the car in an
emergency. Incorrect seating may also cause
backache on longer journeys.
Raise the seat as high as you can to give
a good view of the road and better all
round vision while maintaining adequate
headroom. Move the seat forward so that
you can depress the pedals without having
to overstretch your legs or point your toes.
If you can, adjust the angle of the seat to
provide even support along your thighs.
Adjust the steering wheel and the angle of
the back rest so that your back is straight
and well supported and your hands fall
comfortably at the ‘ten to two’ position with
your elbows bent at about 90 degrees.
Centre 3/4 (75%) of tyre tread
not less than 1.6mm deep
Tread Wear Indicator
8mm
Good7mm
6mm
5mm
4mmInspect Monthly
3mm
2mm Replace Urgently
1.6mm Legal Limit
The braking distance at
50mph on a wet surface
increases dramatically as the
tyre tread wears down.
8mm = 25 metres 4mm = 30 metres 3mm = 38 metres 1.6 mm = 53 metres
3mm tread = 25% better than
‘just legal’ 1.6mm!
Also check the sidewalls for any damage
caused by contact with potholes or with the
kerb when parking. Check they are infl ated
to the correct pressure, details of which
can usually be found in the manufacturer’s
handbook or on a sticker inside the fuel fl ap
or drivers door edge.
Head RestraintsThe primary purpose of the head restraint is to
protect your head and neck from a whiplash
injury in the event of an accident – it is a head
restraint, not a head ‘rest’. The head restraint
should be the correct height to protect the
back of your head and, if not touching, no
more than a couple of inches away. It is
therefore important that your seat back is
relatively upright and not angled too far back.
32
If You Break Down
On the MotorwayIf your vehicle develops a fault whilst driving,
try to keep going and exit at the next junction
pulling into a service area. If it is not possible
to do this, try to reach one of the emergency
phones, situated every mile on the motorway.
Pull over onto the hard shoulder, as far to
the left as possible with your wheels turned
to the left. In the event your car is struck by
another vehicle, this will help prevent it being
pushed back onto the carriageway.
If your vehicle breaks down please don’t panic. You are at increased risk by being stationery at the side of the road so make sure you know what to do to stay safe.
If possible get the vehicle off the road and
leave it in a safe place. Avoid leaving it in a
dangerous place such as on a roundabout, a
corner or near the brow of a hill.
Once the car is safely stopped, turn on
the hazard warning lights if your vehicle
is causing an obstruction, and also your
sidelights if it is dark or visibility is poor.
Display your hazard warning triangle at least
45 metres (147 feet) behind your vehicle on
the same side of the road.
Be aware of your personal safety and that
of your passengers at all times. Never stand
between your vehicle and oncoming traffi c or
where you will obstruct your vehicle’s lights.
Make sure you have a breakdown service
number in the car or stored in your mobile
phone and arrange to have the vehicle
recovered as soon as possible.
Turn on the hazard warning lights and also
your sidelights if it is dark or visibility is poor.
You and your passengers should all exit
the vehicle by the left hand door and stand
behind the barrier if there is one. Leave any
animals in the car or, in an emergency, keep
them under proper control on the verge or
behind the barrier.
Walk to the nearest emergency telephone
on your side of the carriageway – follow the
arrows on the posts at the back of the hard
shoulder. Use the emergency telephone
in preference to a mobile phone as it will
connect you directly to the Highways Agency
or the Police, is free to use and will enable
the emergency services to immediately
identify your location.
After alerting the police, return to your vehicle
and remain behind the barrier. If you feel at
risk from another person, enter your vehicle
through the left hand side and lock the
doors. Once the danger has passed, leave
the vehicle again by the left hand side and
stand behind the barrier.
If your car stops suddenly and you are
unable to reach the hard shoulder, turn on
your hazard lights and leave your vehicle
only when it is safe to get clear of the
carriageway. Make your way as quickly and
safely as possible to the nearest emergency
phone and inform the police of your situation.
If your car is fi xed and you can rejoin the
carriageway, build up speed on the hard
shoulder before pulling out into a gap in the
traffi c, taking care to watch for any other
vehicles on the hard shoulder in front of you
that may cause an obstruction.
Park safely and deploy your hazard warning triangle at least 45m (147ft)
behind your stranded vehicle. This is approximately 10 car lengths.
NEVER USE YOUR HAZARD WARNING TRIANGLE ON A MOTORWAY
33
After an AccidentAfter any accident or collision YOU MUST STOP. Failure to stop at the scene of an accident is a criminal offence.
If it is possible to move your vehicle to a safe
location at the side of the road you should do
so and switch off the engine.
Move all uninjured passengers to the side
of the road. Do not attempt to move injured
passengers unless they are in danger – wait
instead for the paramedics to arrive. If a
motorcyclist is involved, do not attempt to
remove their crash helmet.
Once all vehicles and passengers are safe,
exchange details with any other parties
including name, address and insurance
details. If there are any witnesses, collect
their names and addresses as well.
Do not admit any liability for the accident
or enter into any discussion other than to
exchange the details required to report the
accident to your insurance company and
your employer.
If possible, and without putting yourself in
danger, take photos of the accident and any
damage to the vehicles involved. You should
also take photos of any road or landscape
features that may have contributed to the
accident.
You will need to complete a full report of the
accident including a diagram of the vehicles
showing how the accident occurred, why it
occurred and what damage resulted.
When to call 999If anyone has been injured in the accident,
you are required by law to contact the
emergency services immediately by
telephoning 999.
If nobody has been injured and your vehicle
is not causing an obstruction, you are not
required to call the emergency services.
Clear any debris to the side of the road so
it doesn’t present any danger to other road
users. If your vehicle is drivable, you may
now continue your journey.
If the vehicle is seriously damaged and cannot
be driven you should contact your breakdown
service, or an accident management company
if applicable. If the vehicle cannot be driven
and is also causing an obstruction, you should
contact the emergency services.
You should report the details of the accident
to your insurer (or your employer if you are
driving a company vehicle) within 24 hours.
They will send you a claim form which you will
need to complete and return. If everything is in
order they will also usually arrange the repair
of your vehicle and a courtesy car if one is
included within your policy.
34
Getting Back on the RoadIt is very common for drivers to feel nervous
and anxious when starting to drive again
after they have been involved in an accident,
especially a serious one.
It is possible that you might not understand
what caused the accident and so lack the
confi dence that you could avoid a similar
incident in the future.
If you feel like this, you should ask your
employer about the possibility of receiving
some additional driver training.
This is absolutely not like having driving
lessons again! Fleet21 for instance has
instructors who specialise in helping to
rehabilitate drivers whose confi dence has
been knocked following an incident.
They are sympathetic and have helped many
drivers who have found themselves in similar
situations to understand why their accident
may have happened, and help them acquire
new knowledge and skills that could help
prevent a similar incident in future.
35
Vehicle Safety SystemsModern safety technology is an extremely worthwhile investment when choosing your car. These active systems can help prevent a whole range of accidents which could lead to injuries for you and other road users or your car being damaged and harming its resale value. The systems described here are all Volvo systems, and many are fi tted as standard equipment, but most manufacturers now offer similar technologies. If this technology is optional on your next car, you should consider specifying it before adding luxuries such as bigger alloy wheels or leather seats.
City SafetyRear-end impacts are common in city traffi c
and in queues. About 75 percent of these
collisions occur at speeds below 30 km/h
and in 50 percent of cases, the driver has not
braked at all prior to the collision.
‘City Safety’ is Volvo’s automatic emergency
braking system and keeps an eye on the
traffi c in front with the help of cameras
and sensors integrated into the top of the
windscreen. The car automatically brakes
if the driver fails to react in time when the
vehicle in front slows down or stops – or if
the car is approaching a stationary vehicle
too fast. The collision can be avoided if the
relative speed difference between the two
vehicles is below 15 km/h. If the speed
difference is between 15 and 50 km/h, the
speed of impact is reduced to minimise the
effects of the collision.
Collision Warning with Auto-Brake and Pedestrian and Cyclist DetectionWithin a range of 150 metres, a radar sensor
behind the grille continuously monitors the
distance to the vehicle driving in front of you
and a digital camera behind the windscreen
determines what objects are in front of you.
During daylight it can also detect standing
or moving pedestrians or cyclists. If a
pedestrian or a cyclist unexpectedly swerves
out in front of your car or if a vehicle suddenly
brakes (or is stationary) and Collision Warning
senses that a collision is likely to happen, it
will prompt you to act with a fl ashing warning
light on the windscreen along with an audible
alarm. If you don’t react to the warning and
a collision is imminent, the car immediately
brakes with full braking force.
Distance Alert ControlAssists the driver to keep a set distance and
a chosen time interval to the vehicle in front.
Uses a long range radar behind the grille to
continuously track vehicles in front.
36
Lane Keeping AidAt speeds between 65 km/h and 200 km/h,
Lane Keeping Aid can help prevent single-
vehicle road departures as well as collisions
caused by temporary distraction.
This function uses a digital camera to register
the lane markings and help monitor the car’s
position on the road. If you get close to a
lane marking, Lane Keeping Aid will apply a
gentle steering wheel torque to help keep the
car in the lane. And should you nevertheless
unintentionally cross the lane marking you’ll
be alerted by vibrations in the steering wheel.
When you intentionally cross a lane marker
using the direction indicators, Lane Keeping
Aid is not activated.
BLIS andenhanced BLISBLIS (Camera based):
The blind spot information system alerts the
driver when a vehicle is in the driver blind
spot. The system uses two camera sensors
placed in the outer rear view mirrors.
Lane change merge aid (Enhanced
BLIS): This system alerts the driver when a
vehicle is in the driver’s blind spot or when a
vehicle is rapidly approaching his/her vehicle.
Two radars placed in the corners of the rear
bumper skin continuously monitor the area
behind and beside the vehicle.
Pedestrian ProtectionThe pedestrian airbag is a Volvo safety world
fi rst and an important step to help reduce the
consequences of a frontal collision between
a car and a pedestrian. Sensors in the front
bumper register an impact with a pedestrian
and release the rear end of the bonnet
together with an airbag that covers the area
under the bonnet, 1/3 of the windscreen and
the lower part of the windscreen pillars. This
together with energy-absorbing front and
bonnet design helps reduce the severity of
pedestrian injury in an impact. The pedestrian
airbag is active at speeds from 20-50 km/h.
Driver Alert ControlDesigned to detect and warn tired or
distracted drivers, the system uses a camera
sensor in the windscreen as well as other
sensors and a control unit.
37
Parking Assist SystemHelps the driver to determine distance to
stationary obstacles, using four front and
four rear ultrasonic sensors on the bumpers.
Parking Aids
Semi-AutomaticParallel ParkingSupports the driver at parallel parking by
determining if a parking slot is suitable
and taking over the steering wheel.
Uses ultrasonic sensors on the bumper.
Cross Traffi c AlertAlerts of oncoming traffi c from the sides
when reversing. This is especially helpful in
tight and crowded parking areas.
38
Notes
Emergency Contact Details
Offi ce Contact:
Leasing Company:
Breakdown/Recovery:
Windscreen:
Notes:
