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The latest in a string of breath- taking adverts desperately trying to promote safe and sensible driving, features a car crash at 30mph where the driver has neglected to wear his seat belt.
It is shame such a graphic advert is required to bring home to people such a simple message- wear your seat belt. This message must be taken on board by not only drivers, but passengers too- as a previous advert highlighted the dangers of a back seat passenger not wearing their seatbelt, mainly that they can crush those in the front seat.
In a further attempt to encourage people to “clunk, click every trip” the Government is considering doubling the fine for not wearing a seat belt from £30 to £60.
1 in 6 road deaths could be avoided if seat belts are worn.
The RAC Foundation urges motorists and passengers to wear their seat belts for all journeys, which includes a 2 minute trip to the local shops as well as a 2 hour motorway journey. As seat belt wearing advocate Sir Jimmy Savile says:
“It takes 2 seconds to be thrown through a window, but 2 years to put your face back together.”
Harsh but true.
Source: The Scotsman, Shocking TV ad scares us into belting up in the car, 4/11/08
Last week Sky and JCDecaux announced that they would be providing ‘breaking news’ for drivers via screens in London. The RAC Foundation were surprised- another potential driver distraction? Surely not?
The partnership has perceived a gap in the market for a visual, up-to-date news source for London’s driving commuters. This has led them to construct 16 digital billboards in the capital, which will provide motorists and other road uers with information about world events, sports, showbiz, business, weather and news.
This TV content, although of interest to drivers, just as it is to pedestrians and shopkeepers, is a potential distraction. It is vitally important that drivers focus their attention on the road and arriving at their destination safely.
The RAC Foundation has previously run a campaign entitled Too Much Information, revealing that drivers are unable to decipher too many information sources at one time. These TV screens are likely to have the same effect that signage clutter, mobile phones and sat navs have on drivers- reduced focus on the road ahead because of divided attention.
The RAC Foundation would encourage drivers to focus their concerns on staying safe rather than keeping “up to the minute” with the latest football results or stock exchange figures.
A bolder strategy is need to address road safety according to the Transport Select Committee Report ‘Ending the Scandal of Complacency: Road Safety beyond 2010′ published today.
The report calls for, amongst other initiatives, the need for:
- Greater power to be given to local authorities to introduce 20mph limits
- Increased enforcement to tackle drink driving
- The creation of a road safety commission
The report rightly points out that road safety is a ‘major public health problem of our age’. Every 6 seconds someone is killed or seriously injured on the world’s roads and as a public health issue it is on the scale of malaria and tuberculosis. Reducing death and injury on all roads is undoubtedly of central importance.
Many of the committee recommendations are sound and timely. The Foundation has long called for greater police presence and enforcement, and the issue of unlicensed and uninsured driving needs greater attention. 20mph zones have a role to play, but more research is needed before blanket 20mph zones are widely implemented in urban areas. Policy development in this area should not speed ahead of understanding, local considerations or public acceptance. As we move towards future policy we must also not forget the importance of ‘getting the basics’ right such as enforcing mobile phone and seatbelt laws.
This Hallowe’en has the potential to be a very scary night indeed. According to the RAC Foundation, a dangerous concoction of darker evenings and ‘trick or treaters’ running around in black cloaks and witches hats could spell out a nightmare for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Fatal Fridays
This year Hallowe’en falls on a Friday – the worst day of the week for road accidents across Great Britain. In 2007, 51,792 accidents were recorded on Fridays- almost 4,000 more than on the next most dangerous day for accidents involving motor vehicles – Wednesday. * Late afternoon to early evening (4-6pm), the most popular time for children’s trick or treating outings, covers the peak time on Fridays for serious accidents involving car users.
Devilishly dark
The end of British Summer Time further aggravates the ‘fatal Friday phenomenon,’ in late October. In 2007, the pedestrian KSI (Killed or Seriously Injured) figure rose by 109 between September and October and by a further 32 between October and November. *
Trick or tree-eat?
Cats, bats and hats. The colour of this spooky day is undoubtedly black. This wardrobe choice makes ‘trick or treaters’ a menace to spot on dark evenings whilst the excitement of the occasion means that many children will not be thinking about the Green Cross Code.
The RAC Foundation recommends the following measures to make sure your Hallowe’en is spellbindingly safe:
1. Parents, make sure your coven of witches is close by at all times;
2. Accessorise! No trick or treating outfit is complete, or visible, without a Hallowe’en lantern or flashing accessory;
3. Drivers, make sure you are extra vigilant this dark Friday evening, as excited tweens and teens focus on their next sweetie fix; not road safety. And…….
4. Check, your vehicle lights. This is a good time of year to do routine checks on all vehicle lights
Source: * Road Casulaties Great Britain 2007, Department for Transport
This weekend the clocks go back, which means that the evenings will be darker earlier. Not only can this be a tad depressing on the journey home from work if you haven’t managed to catch any daylight before work or at lunch, but this premature darkness can also pose problems for road safety.
High- visibility clothing provides one option for reducing your safety risk on the roads this autumn/winter, and although once only sported by workmen, cyclists and learner motorcyclists, fashion designer Karl Largerfeld may be responsible for making it the “must have” accessory for road users, pedestrians and fashionistas alike.
Lagerfeld, wearing a high- vis vest as part of the French Government’s high- visibility campaign, says
“It’s yellow, it’s ugly. It doesn’t match anything, but it might save your life.”
In July this year, France joined the list of EU countries that require the carrying of high- visibility vests in the car boot as a safety precaution in the event of a breakdown.
So, as you set your clocks back this Saturday night to enjoy an additional hour to your Sunday lie-in, give a thought to your wardrobe choice for the winter evenings, and contemplate going against the well- known piece of advice “play safe and go with a little black dress” and instead consider luminous yellow… It’s the “in thing” don’t you know…
Source: “It’s simply the vest” by Andrew Martin, The Times 2, 22nd October 2008
Over two thirds of accidents and almost half of all road deaths occur in our towns and cities*, according to the RAC Foundation, who are today highlighting the dangers of texting whilst driving in urban areas in support of European Road Safety Day** (13)
Recent research by the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory commissioned by the RAC Foundation*** found that the dual task of writing a text message whilst driving significantly impaired driving ability. This has serious consequences for town centre and city driving where there are more pedestrians and cyclists.
Reaction times in the simulator study increased from 1.2 to 1.6 seconds when drivers were texting, and their ability to see hazards decreased. Drivers tended to reduce their speeds but in real city driving situations this type of behaviour would cause difficulties.
96% of pedestrian and 93% of cyclist casualties occur in built up areas and ‘failure to look’ is the single largest contributory factor in accidents, present in 35% of cases*. The Foundation is urging motorists, especially those in London, the North West and West Midlands where urban casualties make up a significant proportion of all road accidents****, to ensure they are not distracted by mobile phones whilst driving.
Elizabeth Dainton, Research Development Manager of the RAC Foundation says:
“The distraction caused by sending or reading text messages whilst driving has serious implications for road safety. Being distracted by a mobile phone significantly reduces a driver’s awareness and reaction times.”
“On fast changing urban roads, where more people are walking or cycling, texting, even whilst stationary in traffic, can result in distraction that leads to an accident. Where driving is concerned- there’s no such thing as safe text”
* Department for Transport (2008) Road Casualty Statistics 2007 Edition
** About European Road Safety Day
The European Union has set itself the target to halve the number of fatalities on our roads – from 54 000 to 27 000 – between 2001 and 2010. In order to raise awareness, to give visibility to best local practices and to offer an opportunity to work together for safer roads in Europe the Commission has established a European Road Safety Day. The second road safety day will be celebrated on 13 October 2008 and will address the subject of “Road Safety in our Cities”. The main event will take place in Paris, at the “Espace Grande Arche”, in the business district of La Défense. For more information please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/roadsafety/road_safety_days/index_2008_en.htm
*** The Effect of Text Messaging on Driver Behaviour, A simulator study, N. Reed and R. Robbins, Transport Research Laboratory, September 2008
**** Proportion of all casualties by region, occurring on built-up roads. Source: Department for Transport (2008) Road Casualty Statistics 2007 Edition.
London: 96%
North West: 77%
West Midlands: 73%
Yorkshire and Humber: 72%
Average for Great Britain: 68%
North East: 65%
South East: 62%
East Midlands: 58%
South West: 56%
East of England: 55%
With the Winter fast approaching, sniffles, red noses and bouts of sneezing are sadly becoming more and more commonplace. However, who would have thought that more than 2 million motorists in the UK have experienced an accident, near miss or a momentary loss of control whilst driving, as a result of sneezing? *
But why is sneezing at the wheel so dangerous?
Sneezing causes humans to suffer the following reflexes- raising your hands to your face and closing your eyes; neither of which aid safe driving.
As far as preventing sneezing as a symptom of having the cold or flu, you can of course do your best to keep warm and top up on your vitamin C. Other sneezing triggers which can be substantially reduced include the following:
- Dust! Forget the ‘big Spring clean’ keep the inside of your car a dust- free zone all year round.
- Monitor your beauty regime! Try not to over- do spraying your perfume or aftershave as these particles can irritate receptors in your nose too.
- Keep the ambience clean and fresh. Ditch over-powering in- car fragrances.
- Close your windows! Not only will this help keep you warm but it will also reduce particles from car exhausts and other pollutants from entering your car and tickling your nostrils.
‘Sneezing once whilst driving at 70mph could mean travelling almost 300ft with your eyes closed.’
Professor Lipworth, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee
*Research commissioned by Esure car insurance
Posted on behalf of Fiona Coyne
Urgent and decisive action is needed to bring a halt to the motoring misery caused by over-running road works, according to the RAC Foundation, as the 2008 ALARM survey reveals today (2) for the first time the true number of trenches dug by utility companies.
Every year across England and Wales utility companies are putting 2.5 million trenches into local authority roads – the equivalent of 1500 Albert Halls of holes* – and the congestion that results costs the UK an enormous £8.6 billion**.
The ALARM survey also reveals that the average local authority road surface will be eligible for a pension before its turn comes up for resurfacing: due to lack of funds, the average wait for resurfacing is now 65 years.
The RAC Foundation has been running a campaign for years to try to reduce the chaos caused by long drawn out and un-coordinated roadworks.
Long-delayed powers set out in the 1991 New Roads and Streetworks Act and 2004 Traffic Management Act will be available to local authorities from 1 April 2008. The Foundation is urging all councils to make maximum use of these new powers*** to penalize those firms who refuse to co-ordinate their works with others, who fail to complete works in time, or who leave the road surface in a dangerous state and refuse to pick up the tab for repairs.
The Foundation has also warned that fines imposed on companies who dig up our roads must not just be passed on to the consumer. Stricter financial penalties should improve the speed and performance of utility and telecoms companies, and are the only way to minimise the £8.6 billion pounds worth of delays suffered each year by road users.
Sheila Rainger, Acting Director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Trenches dug by utility companies cause congestion and delay, and can permanently weaken the road surface. Councils, who are already struggling to fund properly planned maintenance, are too often forced to “patch and mend” in their wake.
“The Traffic Management Act increases the powers of local authorities in England and Wales to set binding start and finish dates, order re-surfacing work, and fine those companies who abuse the system. We urge all local authorities to exercise these powers as strongly as possible, whether through the new fixed penalty schemes or through court action.”
NOTES
* The 2008 ALARM survey calculates that 2.5 million trenches equates to 150 million cubic metres. The volume of the Albert Hall is 100,000 cubic metres.
** The Department for Transport’s follow-up consultation on Notices, Directions and Restrictions, Fixed Penalty Notices and revision of the Charges for Unreasonably Prolonged Occupation of the Highway showed that the cost of congestion of the then estimated 1.1 million holes came out at £4.3 billion.
*** The Traffic Management Permit Scheme (England) Regulations 2007
Almost half of Britain’s motorists regularly flout the law by texting and driving, putting themselves and other road users at risk, according to figures released today by the RAC Foundation (27).
A survey of 2,000 Facebook users has alarmingly revealed that 45% of UK drivers use short message services (SMS) whilst driving. Only 11% of motorists turn off their phones or switch them to mute – leaving 89% of drivers open to the distractions caused by mobile phones.
The survey marks the first anniversary of the increase in penalties for using a hand-held phone at the wheel. Motorists now receive a £60 fine and 3 penalty points for using their mobile phone whilst driving, which includes texting and driving. It was discovered in the survey that the young and techno savvy were more likely to text and drive in congested parts of the country, and that the level of texting whilst driving differs throughout the UK. It is highest in London (53%), and Manchester (50%), and lowest in Aberdeen (31%), Edinburgh (36%), Bristol (36%) and Glasgow (38%).
The survey has identified five distinct groups of texting drivers on UK roads. They are:
* Multi-tasking multimedia maestros: Accounting for 21% of all motorists this group read and send texts in free flowing traffic. Dominated by techno savvy men aged 18-24, who regard the phone as a bionic add-on, this group consider texting to be an almost automatic reaction. The highest proportion of multi-tasking multimedia maestros can be found in Manchester (26%), London, Wales and Leeds (all 25%).
* Opportunistic optimisers: 19% of drivers read and/or send text messages when they are stuck in a jam. The delay itself may prompt people to text, for instance to let others know they are going to be late. Women are more likely than men to make up this group although membership decreases with age. This texting approach was by fat the most common in London (24%).
* Non-reactive realists: 44% of all motorists fall into this group. They will not text whilst driving, but will leave their phone audible. Phone alerts may distract the driver or encourage them to alter their driving plan (i.e. stop to read the text), which could create road safety problems, especially if they stop to view a text at an inappropriate location. Women are most likely to be non-reactive realists although membership to this group increases with age for both sexes. Drivers in Glasgow (51%), the West Midlands (51%) and Bristol (51%) are most likely to be in this category.
* Casual observers: This group accounts for a mere 5% of the driving population. These drivers read their texts in moving traffic, but would not consider responding or sending messages whilst driving. This activity is most common in Manchester (7%), Glasgow (7%) and Newcastle (6%).
* Trendsetting team players: 11% of drivers make up this final group of motorists. They responsibly switch off their phones or put them on mute to avoid distractions. Women are marginally more likely than men to fall into this category. Motorists in Aberdeen (19%), Edinburgh (16%) are particularly conscientious about these safety measures.
Elizabeth Dainton, Research Development Manager for the RAC Foundation, said:
“The survey clearly demonstrates that a large proportion of UK drivers are breaking the law by texting and driving. Many young people may not be aware that it is illegal to text and drive and how it places them and other road users in potential danger. Urgent action is needed to address this increasing problem, especially as the ‘Y’ generation, who have grown up with technology and computers, begin to take to the road.
“It is really hard to do two things at once. Using a mobile phone whilst driving means you are four times more likely to have a crash. If you have an accident whilst texting and driving, you can be prosecuted for not using due care and attention.
“Our message is clear – texting whilst driving is not safe. Motorists should switch off their mobile phones when driving or put them on silent mode. It takes away the temptation to read or reply to a text message whilst on the move. Messages can easily be picked up at the end of the journey or during a break. Master your phone – don’t be a slave to the SMS!”
Ends
Notes:
1. Survey question and sample details
2002 Facebook Members (www.facebook.com) were surveyed over the period Wednesday 13th February to Friday 15th February 2008. The question asked and the options given were as follows;
Do you text while driving?
Yes – I read & send texts in moving traffic
Yes – I read texts in moving traffic
Yes – I read &/or send texts in still traffic
No – I don’t text, but I am aware when I get a text
No – I mute or turn off the phone when driving
The sample consisted of the following:
Gender -
Male: 1201
Female: 800
Not specified: 1
Total: 2002
Age -
13-17: 248
18-24: 1108
25-34: 444
35-49: 171
Other: 31
Total: 2002
Location -
Edinburgh: 200
Glasgow: 200
Aberdeen: 100
West Midlands: 100
Newcastle: 100
Leeds: 100
Wales: 201
Portsmouth: 100
Bristol: 100
London: 500
Manchester: 201
Nottingham: 100
Total: 2002
3. The regional break down for the figures is in the table 1 below.
Table 1: Percentage of respondents in the regions who text whilst driving and the details of their texting activity
| Area | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| Edinburgh | 36 | 14 | 5 | 18 | 49 | 16 | 100 |
| Glasgow | 28 | 16 | 7 | 16 | 51 | 12 | 100 |
| Aberdeen | 31 | 11 | 3 | 17 | 50 | 19 | 100 |
| West Mid | 40 | 20 | 4 | 16 | 51 | 9 | 100 |
| Newcastle | 43 | 22 | 6 | 15 | 44 | 13 | 100 |
| Leeds | 46 | 25 | 5 | 16 | 40 | 14 | 100 |
| Wales | 47 | 25 | 4 | 17 | 38 | 14 | 100 |
| Portsmouth | 47 | 23 | 5 | 19 | 42 | 11 | 100 |
| Bristol | 36 | 18 | 3 | 15 | 51 | 13 | 100 |
| London | 53 | 25 | 4 | 24 | 40 | 7 | 100 |
| Manchester | 50 | 26 | 7 | 17 | 40 | 9 | 100 |
| Nottingham | 44 | 21 | 5 | 18 | 48 | 8 | 100 |
A=Text while driving (Overall figure. Further breakdown of activity provided in B-F)
B= Read and send texts in moving traffic
C= Read texts in moving traffic
D= Read and/or send texts in still traffic
E=Don’t text but hear phone
F= Mute or turn off phone
G= Total
Almost one in five young people (18 – 24) got into a car this Christmas believing the driver was over the limit, according to survey data released today (17) by the RAC Foundation.
The online survey of 1000 Facebook users* asked participants to say if they had travelled in a car driven by someone they thought was over the drink-drive limit this Christmas.
* Seventeen per cent of 18 to 24 year olds said yes.
* Eight per cent of 25 to 49 year olds said yes.
* Twelve per cent of 13 to 17 year olds said yes.
The RAC Foundation is calling for targeted advertising aimed at persuading passengers not to get into a car if they have any doubts about the driver’s fitness.
While young adults were most likely to have been driven by a drunk driver, one in eight 13 – 17 year olds had also been put at risk. The RAC Foundation believes that the attitudes of this group of pre-drivers and novice drivers are the key to improving road safety. They must be convinced of the social unacceptability of drink-driving before they get their licences, for their own safety and the safety of others. Parents and older drivers should also take more care to set a good example.
Though men outnumbered women in each age category, younger women were far more likely to have been driven by a drunk-driver than older women – 85% of the women who had got into a car driven by someone over the limit were under 25.
Describing the results as “extremely worrying,” the RAC Foundation is calling for new thinking to get the message across to “Generation Y,” who rely on technology rather than TV for communication. Survey participants were drawn from Facebook’s London network. The Foundation predicts that the situation will be worse in other parts of the UK where there are fewer public transport alternatives at the end of a night out, and plans further research to test this.
Sheila Rainger, Acting Director, said “It is truly shocking that one in five young people is prepared to play Russian roulette by getting into a car with a drunk driver.
“New thinking is needed, targeting passengers as well as drivers, to ensure that drink-driving remains socially unacceptable and to ensure that passengers, especially younger women, have the confidence to turn down what could be their last lift.”
The RAC Foundation’s three-point plan to tackle drink-driving is:-
* More traffic police to target drink and drug drivers, and provide a deterrent. The lack of visible enforcement adds to the perception that people can simply get away with drink-driving.
* A combination of targeted and random breath testing, to provide both a high profile disincentive and a rapid response to the most dangerous motoring offenders.
* An extension of penal sanctions available to the courts to ensure that drink drive offenders are able to receive a combination of punishment, education and advice to reduce the likelihood of repeat offending once they are allowed back on the road.
NOTES
* The survey was carried out on January 8 2008, using Facebook Polls. Participation was restricted to members of the London network.
FULL RESULTS
Q. This Christmas did you travel in a car driven by someone you thought was over the drink drive limit?
All responses
Yes – 13%
No – 87%
Gender:
Yes / Male – 17%
Yes / Female – 9%
Age:
Yes / 13-17 – 12%
Yes / 18-24 – 17%
Yes / 25-34 – 8%
Yes / 35 – 49 – 8%
Further breakdowns by gender and age are available on request.
Demographics
Total responses: 1000
Reponses by Gender:
Male – 510
Female – 489
Responses by Age:
13-17 – 308
18-24 – 424
25-34 – 206
35 – 49 – 53
