1 Introduction

On average we drive 10,000 miles a year and have a one in seven chance of a collision. National accident statistics for private car use show that 1 in 5 drivers makes an insurance claim each year, whilst for those driving for work purposes this is as high as 1 in 3.

The following information will help you to avoid becoming one of those statistics. It provides information about driving safely, correctly maintaining your vehicle and information about how to stay safe in your vehicle. Please read the information carefully and refer to it as and when you feel necessary.

2 How well can you see

The driver of a motor vehicle is the most important component. Drivers need to see and react to changing conditions very quickly.

HOW MUCH YOU SEE DEPENDS ON HOW WELL YOU CAN SEE.

Legal Requirements

You must be able to read in good daylight, with glasses or contact lenses if necessary, a stationary number plate form a minimum distance of 20 meters (66feet). Passing this test does not imply perfect vision.

Choose your spectacles carefully

• Always ensure your spectacles or contact lenses are clean
• It is a good idea to carry a spare pair in case of loss or breakage
• Choose frames for maximum all-round vision
• Never use tinted or sunglasses at night, in conditions of poor visibility, heavy rain, fog or snow showers

To aid clearer vision

• Keep the windscreen and windows clean both inside and out and clear of unnecessary stickers
• Top up your windscreen washer bottle
• Replace worn windscreen wiper blades
• Don’t spray the windscreen or windows with tints
• Check the adjustment of all mirrors before driving
• Check your lights and keep them clear

Remember:

• Tiredness can reduce your vision. If taking medicine or drugs, check with your doctor.
• Have your eyes tested regularly – at least every 3 years or as advised by an optometrist.

3 Watching your speed

Driving too fast for road and traffic conditions and misjudging speed and distance are the two most common causes of accidents.

Always drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear.

Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it slows down or stops suddenly.

National Speed Limits 

Stopping distances depend on

• Concentration and observation skills. Careful observation gives you extra time to see, think and react to hazards and giver you more control over your driving.
• How fast you are going and how far you can see ahead
• Tiredness /fatigue
• The weather and state of the road
• The condition of your brakes and tyres

Keeping a safe distance

A useful way of keeping a safe distance is to use the two-second rule. As the vehicle in front passes a fixed object (e.g. road sign or lamp post) start saying slowly “only a fool breaks the two-second rule”. If you pass the same object before you finish the saying, you’re too close. This should give you adequate time to react in good conditions.

Give yourself the opportunity to remain safe

Check your vehicle regularly and have it serviced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Always make allowances for variations in road surface, the effect of weather conditions and the possible sudden appearance of other vehicles, horses and pedestrians, especially children.

4 Plan your Journey

When driving long or unfamiliar routes or spending some time away from home or base, driving can become much safer and less stressful if a little time is spent beforehand preparing for the journey. The following guidance is recommended.

The driver

• Take your driving licence, certificate of insurance and MOT if appropriate with you in case you are stopped by the Police and asked to produce them
• Do not drive if you feel tired or unwell
• Ensure the vehicle is well ventilated. Don’t wear thick or tight fitting clothing, wear comfortable shoes.

The vehicle

• Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy before you set out especially tyres, lights, windscreen wipers and all fluid levels.
• You must not overload your vehicle. Any load must not stick out dangerously and must be secure. Make sure nothing is left to move around on seats or in foot-wells.

The route

• Plan your route before you set out. There are a number of web sites that can plan a route for you. Note all motorway junction numbers and places where you intend to take a rest. Over-estimate how long the journey will take and leave time enough to get to your destination.
• Inform someone of your travel plans, your intended route, expected arrival time and mobile phone number. Phone that person when you reach your destination to report your safe arrival. If you are delayed or change your plans, don’t forget to give them a call.
• Before starting out consult teletex or internet information regarding warnings of traffic hold-ups. Keep your radio tuned to the RDS mode for up to date travel information
  

5 Fitness to Drive

Drugs and Alcohol

As detailed in the company Drugs and Alcohol Policy, you must ensure that you are never under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs whilst at work and this includes any driving associated with company business. Additionally, some prescribed or over the counter medication can affect your ability to driver safely. If you are taking such medicine, you must report this to your Account Manager and also obtain medical advice on it’s potential effects prior to driving.

Tiredness and Fatigue

Like alcohol and some drugs, driving when you are tired reduces your concentration level and greatly increases your risk of having an accident. Long journeys, especially on featureless roads such as motorways where there is little to stimulate your attention, are now recognized as being responsible for drivers becoming tired.

Sleep does not occur spontaneously without warning. Typically although not aware that he or she is falling asleep, a driver might open a window, turn on the radio, adjust the seating position and begin to fidget. Be aware of these early indications and take appropriate action quickly.

The best countermeasure to sleep is to take a nap. A nap of between 5 and 20 minutes is ideal to maintain performance. A nap longer than 20 minutes can develop into a full sleep and has all the problems of having to wake up with heavy limbs and getting going.

Caffeine from two cups of coffee or a high caffeine drink taken immediately before a nap can also prove beneficial - but this is only a short-term measure (40 minutes) to allow you to get to a place of safety for the night.

None of the above techniques should be used to prolong driving. This is a highly dangerous situation that has the potential for an error to develop, especially where the driver fails to recognize the dangers of travelling too close to the vehicle in front.

If you are tired and recognise these symptoms, stop driving as soon as possible. If there is someone else to share the driving let them take over, or book a hotel room for the night.

To help prevent boredom, plan your route to include alternative roads where the scenery and traffic controls change, where speed limits vary and junctions demand your attention.

Eat light meals before a journey; a big spread can make you lethargic. Drink plenty of water during the journey, it will reduce lethargy induce by dehydration, and ensure frequent breaks are taken. This is also a good time to take a little exercise. Page 5/11

Any activity if pursued long enough will render a person unable to maintain a skilled performance. You should avoid driving for longer than 8 hours a day. A break of at least 15 minutes following 2 hours continuous driving is recommended and a rest period of 11 hours is recommended before the next driving period begins.

The highest risk times for falling asleep at the wheel are midnight to 2am, 4am to 6am and 2pm to 4pm.

Concentration and alertness are the keys to making good decisions.

6 Safety within the Vehicle

Head Restraints

Head restraints are provided for safety not comfort.

• A head restraint prevents the occupant’s head from being violently jerked backwards during an impact, reducing the risk of severe injuries to the neck such as whiplash damage
• Anyone sitting in a seat with a head restraint fitted should ensure that the top of the rigid part of the restraint is positioned at or above eye level and as close to the back of the head as possible
• No head restraint should have unpadded parts, which a rear seat passenger may hit if thrown forward in an accident

Air Bags

Even the best design of seat belt does not prevent all head and chest injuries in serious frontal crashes. This is where airbags help by creating an energy-absorbing cushion between an occupant’s upper body and the steering wheel, dashboard or windscreen.

Some important rules to follow with regard to air bags,

• Seat belts must be used
• Choose a seating position that does not put you face of chest close to the steering wheel or dashboard
• Ensure position of head restraint rests the back of the head, not the neck

Securing Luggage

Unsecured luggage and equipment can become a lethal weapon in the event of a crash. Where possible place all loose luggage in the boot or in the rear footwells.

7 Mobile phones

A mobile phone can greatly enhance your security and peace of mind, especially when travelling alone.

Using a mobile phone whilst driving will distract your attention from the road. It is an offence to use a hand-held phone whilst driving. Switch it off, let a passenger use it or find a safe, legal and convenient place to park before using the phone.

Although you may think that a hands-free phone will enable you to control a vehicle, it will distract your attention from the road. Responsibility for the safe control of the vehicle rests with the driver. In law you must have proper control of your vehicle at all times. If the use of a phone affects your control of the vehicle, causes you to drive without due care and attention or causes you to drive in a careless or dangerous manner, you could be prosecuted, receive a fine, disqualification or prison sentence.

8 Coping with severe weather conditions

Bad weather is often blamed for causing accidents, but the real cause is inappropriate driving for the conditions. Extreme weather conditions, either hot or cold, will show up any deficiencies in both driver and vehicle.

Your vehicle

Whatever the weather, make sure your vehicle and equipment are in good condition and regularly checked and serviced.

The biggest single danger to any driver is being unable to see properly. You won’t be able to make the right decisions if you can’t see the road clearly. Never start a journey before ensuring that all glass areas are clean and clear, free of frost and ice.

Don’t rely on demisters and internal heating to do this for you!

Plan your journey

Before setting off in hazardous conditions

• Ask yourself if the journey is absolutely necessary
• Check national and local weather forecasts
• Give an estimated time of arrival at your proposed destination and tell someone the route you are taking
• If your journey is going to be a long one, consider taking food and a hot drink with you
• Make sure you have plenty of fuel in case you are delayed

When driving

• See and be seen. If you cannot see clearly use dipped headlights

• Use front and rear fog lights if visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see more than 100 metres. (Remember to switch these off when visibility improves)
• Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. You should always be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear
• Don’t get too close to the tail lights of the vehicle in front
• When visibility is low use the edge of the carriageway, hazard line sand cat’s eyes as a guide
• Be aware of your speed
• Pay particular attention to the road surface
• Snow and ice will greatly reduce the grip of the tyres – drive slowly in a high gear to avoid wheel spin
• Keep your speed down where the road has been gritted and where there are wet leaves
• Keep a careful watch on other road users, pedestrians and cyclists

9 What to do if you are involved in an accident

• You must stop and exchange details with any third parties involved. This is a legal requirement. Record the information that will be required by your insurer
• If you are involved in an accident resulting in someone being injured, or, if you are unable to exchange particulars with the third party, you must inform the police within 24 hours
• Give your name and the vehicle owner’s name and address, registration number and insurance details to anyone having reasonable grounds to require them
• No statements admitting fault or liability should be made to the third party. The police should be given all reasonable assistance
• You should obtain the name and address of the owner/driver of the other vehicle(s) involved along with the registration number(s), and the name(s) of their insurers
• You should obtain the names and addresses of independent witnesses, if any
• If the police are involved you should obtain the police officer’s name, number and station
• Try to show in a sketch details of location, name and width of road, position of vehicles involved and of any traffic, skid marks, positions of road signs, traffic islands, turnings etc
• Record the scene by using a mobile phone camera, where available, or consider keeping a disposable camera in the glove box for this

10 What to do if you break down

Many breakdowns are the result of neglect, failing to make routine checks, inadequate maintenance, abuse of the vehicle and in particular, running out of fuel.

The following guidance may help you

• If you have enough warning of an impending breakdown, try a and pull up in a well-lit place
• Call an emergency breakdown service. Membership of a recognised recovery service is highly recommended
• Consider carrying a fluorescent /reflective jacket, warning triangle, torch, blanket and first aid kit
• It is a good idea to practice changing a wheel using the jack provided before you really need to

Single carriageway roads

First think of other traffic.

• If you have enough warning of an impending breakdown, try to pull up in a well-lit public place. If possible, try to move the vehicle off the carriageway
• Use your hazard warning lights to warn other drivers (and side lights at night)
• Use a red warning triangle (at least 45m away) to warn approaching traffic – very important if you are on a bend, hill or causing an obstruction
• Contact a breakdown service if you are unable to rectify the fault
• Contact the police if your vehicle is causing an obstruction or want advice

Motorways

• Do not stop on the carriageway. Move over to the left hand lane as soon as you feel the problem developing. Try to take your time, don’t panic or cause other traffic to brake
• Leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a service area

If you cannot do so

• Try to stop near an emergency telephone. They are one mile apart and the arrows in the marker posts point to the nearest one.
• Move your vehicle slowly on the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as possible
• Switch on your hazard warning lights
• Keep your sidelights on if it is dark
• Exit your vehicle by the left hand door and make your passengers do the same. Do not attempt even simple repairs
• Passengers should wait near the vehicle but well away from the motorway and hard shoulder, behind the crash barrier or on the grass verge
• Wear a fluorescent /reflective jacket if you have one
• Do not use a red warning triangle
• Walk to the nearest motorway telephone to seek assistance. It is free and connects directly to the police. Use these in preference to a mobile phone.
• If you do use a mobile phone, first make sure you have identified your location from the marker posts on the side of the hard shoulder
• Most motorway telephones are monitored by video cameras linked to the local police traffic operations center. Inside the door of the telephone box you will find a list of all the information you need to give motorway control
• Return and wait near your vehicle (well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder) – 10% of all fatal motorway accidents take place by a vehicle colliding with a car on the hard shoulder
• When your vehicle has been fixed, take great care when rejoining the motorway. Build up your speed along the hard shoulder, signal and move onto the nearside lane when there is a suitable gap. Be aware that other vehicles may be stationary on the hard shoulder

If you cannot get your vehicle on to the hard shoulder

• Do not attempt to place any warning device on the carriageway
• Switch on your hazard warning lights
• Leave your vehicle only when you can safely get clear of the carriageway.

11 Keep your vehicle maintained

By keeping your car in good running order you can reduce the risk of breakdown and be safer. Follow the manufacturer’s handbook for servicing. Your handbook should illustrate the location of the main items to check every week and before a major journey.

Fuel

Fill up regularly and ensure you use the correct fuel. A spare fuel can is a fire risk, so do not carry one.

Oil

Check the dipstick when the engine is cold. Too little or too much oil can cause damage. Cheap oil is a false economy, as is delaying an oil change.

Check brake fluid and power steering levels. If the levels drop sharply or frequently, the systems must be checked for faults or leaks.

Water

When the engine is cold check the radiator reservoir. Top up if necessary with the correct mixture of water and anti-freeze (usually 50:50).

It is illegal to drive without working screen washers, so keep them topped up. Add some screen-wash fluid to help clear greases and prevent freezing. Clean wiper blades to prevent smearing and replace them when worn

Electrics

All lights fitted to the vehicle must be working, clean and adjusted to prevent dazzle. Check all your warning lights and instruments work too.

Tyres

Tyres must be properly inflated and free from cuts and other defects.

Check pressures when they are cold including the spare. Refer to your handbook. Keep valve caps screwed on firmly. Look for wear and damage to the tyres. Any worn or damaged tyre should be replaced before it reaches the legal limit.

• The grooves of the tread pattern must be at least 1.6mm deep throughout a continuous band in the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tread and around the entire circumference. However, the police and motoring organisations recommend at least 2mm. Uneven wear could indicate a fault
• A tyre must be replaced if it has a cut in excess of 25mm or 10% of the section width of the tyre, whichever is the greater.