Tailored breakdown cover to suit your needs
Help, Safety & Advice
Summary findings
A copy of the Green Flag Motoring Assistance report on safe driving can be obtained for a £25 donation to Brake by contacting:
Green Flag Motoring Assistance
The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ
Tel: 0113 399 1427 Fax: 0113 399 1005
Email: public-relations@greenflag.com
Brake
PO Box 548, Huddersfield HD1 2XZ
Tel: 01484 559909
www.brake.org.uk
Summary Findings
Risky business
Drivers underestimate the numbers of people who die on our roads and say they feel safer behind the wheel that on other modes of transport. In reality, the opposite is true - one in 200 people die on the road, making it the riskiest form of transport.
Are you ready to drive?
Few people have undertaken driver training since passing their driving test. However, many would like further training and the majority of drivers are in favour of regular re-tests.
Are you fit to drive?
Although drivers recognise that it is important to be in full control behind the wheel, significant numbers admit to driving when stressed, tired, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while using mobile phones.
Speeding
More drivers admit to breaking speed limits in rural areas than in towns, not realising that they are putting their own lives at risk - most drivers who die in road crashes are on roads outside towns. Most drivers’ speed to overtake and a significant number admit to having overtaken when they couldn't see ahead.
Belting up
Most drivers say they belt up in the front and make sure that any children they are carrying are restrained. Fewer drivers belt up in the back of vehicles even though studies show someone who refuses to belt up in the back could kill the person in front of them as well as themselves in a crash.
Looking after your vehicle
Drivers often overlook essential checks on tyres, windows and mirrors. Drivers, who know how to carry out checks, carry them out too infrequently. Tyres are the vehicles' only contact with the road and a dirty windscreen can drastically decrease a driver's vision. Neglecting them can be fatal.
Getting caught
A large majority of drivers admit that they would take more care if there were more speed cameras and traffic police. Knowing they would receive tougher penalties for bad driving would also make drivers take more care.
Paying the price
Drivers are tough on other drivers whose dangerous driving kills, with most saying that they should receive prison sentences of at least five years. This is not currently reflected in UK courts where many offences receive low penalties.
Women drivers
Women drivers are more willing to receive driver training, less likely to take major risks and more likely to belt up in the back than men. Women are more likely to be in favour of greater numbers of speed cameras and traffic police and are tougher on offenders. However, they are less likely to know how to look after their vehicles.
Young drivers
Young drivers are more willing to receive driver training than other drivers. However, they also take more risks, such as speeding, driving when drunk or drugged and not belting up. They are the age group most likely to risk driving the morning after a heavy drinking session and more likely to talk on a mobile phone while driving. Young drivers want tougher penalties for offenders but say that tougher penalties would not make them drive more safely.
High mileage drivers
High mileage drivers are more likely to feel safer in a car than in a plane or on a train. Yet high mileage drivers also take more risks than other drivers. They are more likely to have driven when tired and are more than twice as likely to have fallen asleep at the wheel. They are much more likely to speed and to admit that they have overtaken when they couldn't see what was coming.
