Читать книгу The SAS Survival Driver’s Handbook - John Wiseman - Страница 8
ОглавлениеSix accidents occur every minute on our roads, resulting in injury, loss of life and 3.2 million insurance claims a year. It’s no wonder that safety features get top billing in car manufacturers’ advertising campaigns. But over 90 per cent of road accidents are down to driver error — so look into ways of improving your own safety rating as well as your car’s.
• How to wear a seat belt
• Seat belt maintenance
• Seat belt regulations
• Types of child restraints
• Don't Smoke and Drive
• Driving Offences
• Deadly motorway debris
SURVIVAL KITS
Almost 50 per cent of accidental deaths occur on the roads. Dangerous driving and unhealthy attitudes to other road users are the main causes of these accidents, but since we can’t change the way others drive — and of course it’s always the other driver who’s at fault — the next best thing is to choose a car that will keep us safe in the event of an accident.
So what makes a car safe? Advertisements for new cars make much of features like airbags, side impact bars, roll cages and seatbelt pre-tensioners, designed to minimize the risk of injury. But more mundane items like mirrors, wipers, demisters and lights are every bit as important to safety, because when used properly they can help you to avoid accidents in the first place.
Safety regulations ensure that all cars come equipped with a range of features designed to allow the motorist to see hazards and avoid them. Mirrors, headlights, wipers and demisters give the driver a clear view of the road. Lights and reflectors make the vehicle visible to other road users even in poor conditions. Indicators, brake lights, the horn and headlights allow the driver to give others advance warning of his or her manoeuvres, while the brakes and tyres enable the car to be brought to a swift halt.
It’s easy to take such features for granted when choosing a car — after all, they come as standard, the car wouldn’t be allowed on the road if it didn’t have mirrors, lights, brakes, etc. But test drive a few different makes and models and you will soon become aware that leg-room can vary dramatically from car to car, some feel cramped while others are impossible for anyone of below average height to drive safely. Some cars provide a clearer all-round view of the road by doing away with wide front and rear pillars. New innovations include dashboard warning lights to tell you when there’s ice on the road, and some high-performance cars are equipped with traction control to give better grip in slippery conditions.
Even colour can make a difference to your safety. A light- or bright-coloured car stands out more than a dark one. Statistics show that dark blue cars are top of the league table where accidents are concerned, because blue blends into the background more easily than any other colour. Of course, if you live in a snowy wasteland, white would be the colour to avoid. Bright red, yellow and silver show up well in most conditions.
You cannot drive safely unless your vehicle is fitted with at least two clean, correctly adjusted rear-view mirrors, at least one of which must be mounted on the outside of the vehicle. The police have the authority to bring prosecutions against drivers who do not meet these requirements, and in some countries they can impose on-the-spot fines for a dirty or cracked mirror.
It is vital that all lights and reflectors on your vehicle are kept clean and in good working order so that you can see and be seen, and signal your intentions to other road users.
Make sure that the beam of your dipped headlights is correctly adjusted so as not to dazzle other road users, while at the same time offering you a clear view of the road ahead. When the vehicle is loaded, or towing a heavy trailer, the headlights usually require adjusting; on some cars this can be done from the driver’s seat. If in doubt, ask your garage to reset the headlights.
Always check when you start the car that the rear fog lights have not been left on by mistake. These can temporarily blind other motorists with their glare, causing accidents. They are for use in very poor visibility only.
Brake lights provide a useful signal to following drivers, so use the brakes rather than changing down the gears to lose speed.
Headlights can be flashed to warn others of your presence. Many drivers flash their lights to signal a pedestrian to cross the road, or another driver to emerge from a side road, but this can lead to accidents. It’s all too easy to misinterpret what is intended by the signal, and in any case it is up to other road users to use their own judgement as to when it is safe for them to proceed — there may be hazards you cannot see which would place them in jeopardy.
Most countries have laws requiring all vehicles to be fitted with two headlights to the front of white (or yellow — see Travelling Abroad in Long Journeys), which must be permanently dipped or fitted with a dipping device. Headlights must be switched off when the vehicle is stationary, except at traffic lights or other temporary stops. Always use your headlights when driving after lighting-up time (unless street lights are less than 200 metres apart) and in poor daytime visibility. In addition, vehicles must have two side lamps at the front, showing white through frosted glass. It is illegal to have a red light showing at the front.
At the rear you must have two red tail lights, two red reflectors (which on some cars are combined with the tail lights). Cars registered after 1971 must have brake or stop lights which display a non-flashing red light when the foot brake is applied. The only white lights permitted at the back of the car are the number plate lamp and the reversing lights.
Amber direction indicators which flash between 60 and 120 times a minute are required on vehicles registered after 1965. Rear fog lamps are compulsory on all cars registered after 1980. These must only be used during adverse weather conditions where visibility is less than 100 metres — it is illegal to turn them on at other times.
The horn allows you to warn other road users of your presence. A brief toot should be sufficient to alert a driver or pedestrian about to embark on a collision course because they haven’t noticed you are there. A long horn note should be used when approaching a blind spot like the crest of a hill, a sharp bend in a country lane, or a hump-backed bridge.
Remember that using the horn does not give you the right of way. For a start, there’s no guarantee that it will be heard. Pedestrians who are hard of hearing or drivers of noisy heavy goods vehicles may not hear your horn. If a pedestrian doesn’t look round at the sound of the horn, assume they haven’t heard you. Use your headlights to signal to other drivers where noise may drown out the horn. When approaching a blind bend or other hazard, slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. NEVER use the horn to rebuke other road users — that’s a recipe for road rage.
In most countries there are laws prohibiting sounding your horn if your vehicle is stationary (except when another moving vehicle presents a danger to you).
There are also laws governing when a horn can be sounded in built-up areas (usually defined as areas where the street lights are less than 200 yards/metres apart). The time span varies from country to country, but as a general rule you should never use the horn at night unless it’s an emergency.
An increasing number of new cars, especially high-specification models, are now fitted with an anti-lock brake system (ABS). This sophisticated form of braking can be extremely useful in an emergency as it helps to maintain traction under severe braking by preventing the wheels from locking and skidding.
A sensor control attached to each wheel detects when the wheel is about to lock and responds by automatically releasing the brake and then re-applying it several times a second. You can feel this happening through the brake pedal, which pulsates up and down. There’s no need for you to pump the brakes — in fact, pumping the brake pedal will interfere with the ABS’s operation. And, whereas with ordinary brakes you have to take great care when braking in slippery conditions for fear of causing a skid, ABS allows you to brake as hard as you can on wet and slippery surfaces without losing control of the steering.
However, ABS has its limitations. If you try dangerous stunts like taking a corner too fast or braking at the very last minute, it can’t prevent accidents occurring. And on loose gravel or snow, where all four wheels may lose traction, anti-lock brakes may actually take longer to stop the car than a conventional braking system.
Cars fitted with ABS have a light on the dashboard which tells you when there’s a fault in the system. Don’t try to investigate yourself — see an expert. Should a malfunction with the ABS occur, the ordinary brakes will take over.
Vehicles which are low to the ground with a wheel close to each corner offer greater stability than those designed for off-road use, which tend to be taller, with a high centre of gravity. When using off-road vehicles on normal roads, take care — especially when turning corners or changing direction — as the handling is not the same as for a front-wheel drive. Special courses are available — see advertisements in specialist motoring magazines, or consult your dealer for advice.
In slippery conditions or on rough terrain, 4WD improves the grip that the tyres have on the road. It is now available in some conventional cars, as well as models designed specifically for off-road use. Ideal if you need a vehicle that can work in all weather and cope with difficult surfaces, but bear in mind that conventional-style cars with low ground clearance cannot cope with soft mud or sandy surfaces in the way that true off-road vehicles can.
The real test of a car’s crashworthiness is whether it can succeed in making severe accidents survivable. And if there’s a single factor which gives car occupants a better chance of walking away from a crash than any other it’s the integrity of the car’s structure. A passenger compartment which suffers major distortion on impact (doors crumpling inward in a side-on collision; pillars that collapse and instruments that intrude in a head-on collision) will offer little protection to those inside.
Crash tests are the best means of measuring how well a car will withstand impact. Dummies packed with sensors occupy the driver’s and passengers’ seats, and the car is rammed into a concrete block. By analysing the wreck and the readings from the dummies, scientists can calculate the risk of injury to different parts of the body. Some of the results of these tests are published in consumer magazines, and if you’re buying a car it’s worth finding out how well that model performed in crash tests relative to other cars in the same class. You may find that the much-hyped new car of your dreams, fully equipped with state-of-the-art airbags, power steering and ABS, fares less well than a frumpy, no-frills rival.
Safest of all, structurally, are big, heavy cars. In a collision between a large car and a supermini, the bigger car’s size and weight advantage will tell in its favour, and the supermini will come off worse every time. On the other hand, big cars cost more to buy, insure and run — so safety is not the only consideration to take into account. It is, however, an important factor, so once you decide which type of car will best suit your needs, check out the safety options on offer within that class.
When a car travelling at 30 mph collides with a solid object, any occupants not wearing a seatbelt will be thrown forward at about the speed the car was travelling. When their bodies hit the windscreen or dashboard (or, in the case of back seat passengers, when they hit the seats or the people in front of them) the force of the impact will be three and a half tons — roughly the weight of an elephant. It goes without saying that the human body cannot withstand that sort of impact. Death or serious injury is the inevitable outcome.
All new cars are fitted with front and rear seat belts and in most countries it is now law that everyone in the vehicle must wear a belt where one is available. There are still many older cars which do not have rear seat belts, but most cars built since 1981 have mounting points located under the seat cushion and in the rear pillar so that it is easy to have rear belts fitted.
REMEMBER
Belting up has been proved to reduce injuries and save lives, so where there is a belt fitted, use it. The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Passengers who don’t wear belts are not just risking their own lives — the effect of a back-seat passenger hitting the person in front at 30 mph is the equivalent of their jumping off a 30-foot building and landing on someone. Bear that in mind next time you have a passenger, who doesn’t want to wear a seatbelt.
It’s also worth noting that insurance companies do not look kindly on people who don’t wear seat belts. If you are injured in an accident as a result of failing to wear a seatbelt, that will count against you when your claim for compensation is assessed.
Types of seatbelt
Inertia reels
Most cars are fitted with inertia-reel belts on their front seats. These adjust easily and allow you some leeway for movement until the vehicle brakes suddenly or crashes, at which point inertia causes the reels to lock. To test the belt, give it a sharp tug; it should lock. Make sure the belt is adjusted so that it fits snugly. In an accident a slack belt will give little protection, because by the time the slack is taken up your head will have made contact with the dashboard.
Pre-tensioners and web locking devices
A pre-tensioner fitted to the buckle will tighten the belt in the moment of impact, cutting down on your forward movement. A web lock or grabber acts on the reel, preventing the belt being pulled through the spool.
Lap belts
Most lap belts are simple devices, little more than pieces of webbing attached to an anchor point on the car’s chassis. Because there’s no inertia reel, they need to be adjusted to minimize slackness.
Seat belts are designed so that, in the event of an accident, the webbing is in contact with bony areas such as the shoulders, ribs and pelvis, thus minimizing the risk of injury to delicate fleshy tissue. Serious injury can result if the belt is not worn correctly.
Seat belts are most effective when the wearer is sitting up straight and well back in the seat. First adjust the seat to a comfortable upright position (the further a seat is reclined, the greater the risk of your sliding out from under the belt in a crash). If your car has height-adjustable belts, position the diagonal band so that it rests midway across your shoulder. It should not be in contact with your neck, and the diagonal should never be worn under the arm. If it is not possible to adjust the height of the belt, boost your height by sitting on a cushion. Making sure that the belt is not twisted or caught on anything, pull it across your body.
Position the lap belt across the pelvis, NOT over the stomach or waist. Always place the buckle to one side to reduce the risk of injury.
Pregnant women must take special care to keep the belt as low as possible over the hips. If in doubt consult your doctor.
It’s a good idea to get into the habit of always checking the belt’s release mechanism — in an emergency such as a fire, you may need to leave the vehicle in a hurry.
Check all belts regularly to make sure that they are in good working order and free of damage. If the webbing becomes frayed, contaminated or damaged the belt should be replaced.
Always keep seat belts fastened when not in use — in an accident a flying belt buckle can cause serious injuries. This will also prevent stray belt straps from getting caught in the car doors, or tripping up passengers as they leave the vehicle.
Keep all seat belts clean — dirty belts can leave marks on clothing. Never use bleach or chemical solvents as this will weaken the webbing, and NEVER dismantle the assembly to clean the belts. Use a cloth moistened with a mild detergent for cleaning, then fully extend the belts to allow them to dry thoroughly. A wet belt can cause rewinding problems. Keep the buckle and retractor free of obstructions.
In Britain and most European countries seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers (provided a seat belt is available), unless an exemption has been granted. Exemptions can be given for medical reasons (your doctor will issue you with a certificate). Drivers making local deliveries in a vehicle designed or adapted for that purpose are also exempt, and you are allowed to remove your belt while carrying out reversing manoeuvres — though you must put it back on afterwards.
Even if you are not involved in an accident, you can be fined for not wearing a seatbelt. All occupants over the age of 14 are personally responsible for making sure they wear a belt (and liable for the fine if they don’t).
It is the driver’s legal responsibility to see that any children under 14 wear a belt or, preferably, a restraint suited to their size and weight (a baby or child seat for infants, booster seats for bigger children). You could be fined or have your licence endorsed if you fail to ensure that children use seat belts or restraints where available.
Most European countries will not allow children to be carried in the front passenger seat. This is because the safest place for them is in the back seat. In Britain, the rules on carrying children are as follows:
Children under 3 years of age: must always wear a child restraint (an adult seatbelt will not do) when travelling in the front seat. In the back seat a child restraint must be used if one is available. There’s nothing in the law to stop you carrying a baby or toddler in a back seat which is not fitted with a child restraint.
Children from 3 to 11 years of age and less than 1.5 metres (5 feet) tall: must wear an appropriate child restraint if one is available. If not, an adult seatbelt should be worn.
Children aged 12 and above or younger children over 1.5 metres tall: must wear an adult belt if one is fitted, whether they sit in the front or the rear of the car.
In Britain there’s no law against carrying more passengers than there are seat belts available, or against carrying children in a car which has no appropriate child restraints whatsoever. But the fact that it’s not illegal doesn’t make it safe. Heavy passengers will pose a danger to those sitting in front of them if they don’t wear a belt, and children have a much better chance of surviving an accident if they are secured by a child seat or other restraint rather than an adult seat-belt which they might slide out of. Don’t stop at complying with the legal requirements — follow the recommendations set out below (see Child Restraints).
A seatbelt that has been worn in an accident should be checked by an expert. The whole assembly may need to be replaced even if there is no visible sign of damage.
Children who are left unrestrained in cars have accidents — even when the car is stationary. Try not to leave them unsupervised, and NEVER leave them alone in the car with the keys in the ignition. It’s well worth fitting childproof locks so that the rear doors can only be opened from outside the car. And if you have electric windows, ask if a device can be installed which will allow you to override the rear-window switches so that they can only be operated from the driver’s seat.
The only safe way for children to travel by car is strapped into a child restraint which is suited to their weight and size, and which conforms to approved safety standards (look for United Nations, European Community or British Standards labels signifying that the product has been tested and approved). The alternatives don’t bear thinking about:
Holding an infant in your arms. Even if you are wearing a seatbelt, in the event of a collision the force of the impact will probably cause the child to be torn from your arms and hurled at the windscreen.
Putting your seatbelt round a child being carried on your lap. In a collision, you will be thrown forward exerting some three and a half tons of force on that child’s body. If the child isn’t crushed to death outright, horrific injuries will be inflicted.
Leaving the baby in a carrycot on the back seat. Even if the carrycot is strapped in, it’s the cot which is restrained, not the baby. In a violent collision the baby could be thrown out.
Using an adult seatbelt to restrain the child. In a crash, a small child wearing an adult seatbelt will most likely ‘submarine’ out from under it. There’s also a risk that the belt will bear upon the child’s neck, damaging the thorax.
Using an adult seatbelt to restrain two children. The same dangers as above, multiplied by two.
Allowing the child to travel unrestrained: Even when an accident occurs at speeds as low as 12 mph children can suffer serious injury being thrown out of the car or through the windscreen.
Sitting on the floor of the luggage space of an estate car: Unless rear-facing seats with harnesses have been fitted in the luggage compartment, it is not safe for children to travel in this area.
If you are going to carry children in your car and you care about their safety, have a proper child restraint fitted for each child. Check before you buy that the restraint will fit both your child and your vehicle. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and use in every detail. If in any doubt, consult your garage or dealer. Most child seats are designed to make use of an adult seatbelt to hold them in place, so it should be a straightforward process. Make sure that the car’s seat-belt buckle does not rest on the frame of the child restraint, and that the restraint is anchored securely.
The safest place for children is in the back seat, so if your car doesn’t have rear seat belts, buy a child seat which comes with it’s own fastening straps and, if necessary, get a mechanic to fit it for you.
Many parents prefer to have young babies in a rear-facing baby carrier fitted to the front passenger seat. This has the advantage that you can see the baby clearly, but in the event of a collision baby would be much safer in the back seat. To keep an eye on children in the back seat, fit a second rear-view mirror angled to give you a good view of them without losing sight of the road ahead.
If for any reason you have to transport your child in a car where no child restraint is available, it is better for them to wear an adult belt alone in the back seat than no restraint at all.
NEVER fit a rear-facing child restraint in a front passenger seat equipped with an airbag. In the event of an accident, the airbag inflates at up to 200 mph — and a rear-facing seat places the baby’s head where it receives almost the full force of the impact. In America, a year-old baby travelling in such a seat was decapitated in a low-speed collision — one of 31 airbag-related infant deaths in the USA to date.
The choice of restraint is governed by the child’s size and weight rather than its age. Expensive as these restraints are, never buy a secondhand child restraint unless it comes with the manufacturer’s fitting instructions and you are 100 per cent certain that it has never been used in an accident. If any signs of wear and tear are visible, DON’T buy.
In summer, metal and plastic surfaces of child restraints left inside closed vehicles can get hot enough to cause burns. Check before placing your child in the seat that the buckle and other surfaces will not pose a danger.
Baby seat
For babies up to nine months old, weighing up to 10 kg, a rearward-facing baby seat is the safest type of restraint. These can be fitted in the front or (preferably) the rear seat of a car using an adult seatbelt. A built-in harness with a crotch strap holds the infant in place. A sleeping baby can be carried from car to house in the seat, making it very convenient to use.
It’s possible to buy a baby seat that will hold the infant in a rear-facing position until it’s old enough to sit up, then convert into a forward-facing child seat which can be used until the child reaches 18 kg (at around 4 years of age).
Child seat
For children weighing between 9 and 18 kg (approximately 6 months to 4 years of age) an upright child seat (forward- or rear-facing) secured by an adult safety belt or by its own straps. A built-in harness holds the child in place.
Booster seats and cushions
Bigger children (weighing between 15 and 36 kg) can use a booster seat to lift them so that the adult lap and diagonal belt fits properly. The diagonal section must rest midway between the neck and shoulder, the lap section must sit low on the pelvis — NOT across the stomach. Booster seats are not suitable for use with a lap belt.
Airbags are designed to minimize the risk of facial and head injuries caused by crashing into the steering column or dashboard. In the event of a severe head-on collision, sensors trigger a small explosive charge and the airbag breaks through the cover. Within a fraction of a second the airbag will fully inflate to cushion the driver as he is thrown forward. Having absorbed the impact the bag deflates instantly.
You may hear a bang and see a puff of smoke when the charge detonates, but don’t be alarmed — there’s no risk of fire. The gas used to inflate airbags is non-poisonous.
Many new cars are fitted with a driver’s airbag as standard equipment, and some also offer front passenger airbags. In Europe, where seat belts are compulsory, the airbag is designed to supplement the protection given by the diagonal part of the seatbelt. In the USA, on the other hand, not all states have a mandatory seatbelt requirement and so American cars tend to be fitted with ‘full-size bags’ to compensate. But an airbag is no substitute for a seatbelt. For a start, an airbag is not designed to inflate and protect you when your vehicle is hit from the side or rear, or if it rolls over. So always belt up, even in a car equipped with airbags.
In a frontal collision, where no airbag is fitted, there is a risk that the driver’s head will hit the steering wheel. A well-padded steering wheel will absorb the impact and do less damage than one which is hard and metallic. Raised switches or bolts in the wheel centre can cause nasty cuts and eye injuries. Metal rims and spokes may look stylish — but your face won’t after it’s been in a collision with them. For the same reason, look for a car that offers some degree of padding in the door panels to cushion your body on impact. Make sure there are no exposed metal bolts and fittings to cause injury.
You are less likely to suffer steering wheel injuries if you position yourself correctly. Sit at arm’s length from the wheel rather than leaning over it with your arms bent.
When your car is hit from behind (and rear-end collisions are one of the most common forms of accident) your body is thrown forward while your head and neck, if unsupported, are jerked violently back, resulting in ‘whiplash’ injuries. Although not life-threatening, whiplash can be very painful and its effects can last a long time.
NEVER fit a rear-facing child seat in the front seat of a car with a passenger-side airbag. (See Child Restraints, above.)
TAKE CARE! Airbags can cause injuries as well as prevent them. The speed and force of inflation, particularly of the American ‘full-size’ bags, means that drivers and front-seat passengers must exercise a degree of caution. In particular, you should NEVER smoke while sitting in a seat equipped with an airbag. Were the bag to inflate, your cigarette or pipe would be rammed into your face with tremendous force, inflicting facial burns and other injuries. Front-seat passengers should never sit with their feet on the dashboard, as this too can result in injury if the bag is deployed.
DANGER! Airbags contain an explosive charge which could cause injury if tampered with. In normal use, no maintenance is required. If the warning light on the dashboard illuminates, take the car to a garage or dealer. Never try to remove an airbag yourself.
Once an airbag has inflated in an accident it cannot be used a second time. Take the car to your garage or dealer and have the airbag replaced.
Head restraints are designed not to provide comfort but to prevent whiplash. They will also protect your head from being hit by back-seat passengers in a frontal collision.
To be effective, the head restraint must be strong, stable, and positioned correctly. One that is too low can do more harm than having no head restraint at all. Adjustable restraints are preferable to fixed ones, particularly for those who are above average height. If you share the driving with someone else, make sure you check the position of the head restraint every time you get in the car.
If a glance in the mirror tells you that you are about to be hit from behind:
• Remain facing forward. Resist the impulse to turn around because having your head and spine at an angle increases the risk of whiplash injuries.
• Press your back against the seat and your head against the restraint.
The padded section should be above the tops of your ears. The seat back should be upright to minimize the distance between your head and the restraint.
Side-impact bars are installed in the door panels of the vehicle to prevent the door being pushed into the passenger compartment in a side-on collision.
There’s some debate amongst safety experts as to how much protection these bars offer. If the oncoming vehicle strikes you only a glancing blow the damage may be minimized, but where it hits you full-on the chances of your escaping serious injury are slim. Even with bars fitted, the fact is that very little stands between your side and car that’s smashing into you.
In Australia these rigid bars are known as ‘roo bars’, because they are fitted to vehicles in the outback to protect them in the event of collisions with kangaroos. Where pedestrians and cyclists are more likely collision partners than kangaroos, bull bars give cause for concern because they maximize the risk and extent of injury to vulnerable road users. Whereas a child has a good chance of surviving when hit by a normal car travelling at 20 mph, a vehicle with bull bars fitted can kill at 10 mph.
There is a campaign under way to outlaw bull bars in Britain and elsewhere. In the meantime, if your car has bull bars or if you insist on having some fitted, make sure you notify your insurer. To reflect the greater scale of damage and injury caused by bull bars, insurance companies may charge a higher premium. Failure to notify your insurer could result in your policy being invalidated.
If you intend to use your car to transport heavy objects, tie-down eyes attached to the floor or side panels are essential. These small loops provide an anchor whereby heavy items can be secured to the chassis so that they won’t be hurled forward in a collision. It is not safe to carry loose heavy items in the back of an estate or hatchback with split or folding rear seats, as the structure is not strong enough to restrain the load in a crash. There have been cases of children carried in the rear seat being paralysed by support struts being driven into their spines by the force of the load shifting forward. If you don’t have tie-downs, use a load separator to prevent objects shifting forward. Alternatively, carry suitcases and other large items secured to a roof rack. (See Loading the Car and Towing in Long Journeys for further advice on carrying heavy loads, fitting roof racks, and towing trailers and caravans.)
It will assist the car’s stability if you spread your load evenly — and that includes passengers. Don’t have all the heaviest passengers on one side of the car, or all in the back. Too much weight in the rear causes light steering, and if one side is carrying a much heavier load than the other you could have problems when cornering.
Never allow passengers to travel in the luggage area or on a folded down rear seat.
Inside the passenger compartment, keep things stowed away securely. Avoid having sharp or solid objects like glass bottles or hard-edged toys in the car, as these can cause serious injuries if the brakes are applied sharply. Keep the parcel shelf clear of packages to eliminate the risk of flying objects and to ensure good rear vision. Clear the driver’s footwell of loose objects, too, as these can easily get under the pedals and cause an accident.
If you need to hang suits or dresses in the car, use the hooks provided, and make sure they do not swing around or interfere with rear vision.
Car manufacturers are making safer cars than ever before, and yet the number of accidents continues to rise. It’s possible that improvements in technology actually make matters worse. Some motorists seem to think that because their vehicle is equipped with anti-locking brakes and airbags it gives them the freedom to go even faster without getting hurt. But even the best technology cannot save you from the consequences of taking stupid risks.
So what makes a safe driver? Is it quick reaction time? The ability to handle a high-performance car well at high speed? Skill at the controls? Years of experience? Training in skills such as controlling a skid?
Ironically, the more skill and accuracy with which you handle the controls, the more confident you are that your speedy reaction times allow you to cope with high speeds, the more you believe that you are a good driver… the greater the statistical chance of your being involved in an accident. The reality is that few drivers are anywhere near as good as they think they are.
The key to being a safe driver is to remember the four As:
ALERTNESS
AWARENESS
ATTITUDE
ANTICIPATION
About a third of all accidents are rear-end shunts, where one vehicle collides with the back of another. This is a classic example of what happens when a motorist is not paying sufficient attention. Being alert means being on the look out for hazards, anticipating problems before they occur and responding quickly. It is an offence to drive without due care and attention, or to drive while under the influence of substances which are likely to impair your ability to perceive risks and take action to avoid them.
A number of factors can interfere with your ability to remain alert, among them: drink and drugs, medical conditions (such as hay fever and sight disorders), stress, fatigue, and allowing yourself to be distracted by things going on inside the car.
Careless driving is punishable by law. While the vehicle is moving, it is illegal to use a hand-held telephone, read a newspaper or map, tune a car radio or change a CD or cassette — or anything else that causes the driver not to be in a position to respond in the event of an emergency.
In Britain, careless driving can lead to fines, disqualification or endorsement of your licence. The police can prosecute for careless driving even if there has not been an accident. It’s no use pleading that you were careless because you were tired-the law takes a dim view of motorists who drive when they’re not fit to do so.
Around 20 per cent of all road traffic deaths are drink-related. Alcohol is a powerful drug which slows down the processes occurring in the brain, so that you take longer to react to unexpected situations. It inspires a false sense of confidence, affects your judgement of speed, distance and risk, and reduces your co-ordination — turning avoidable hazards into potentially lethal ones.
Just one drink will impair your driving to some extent. And because the effects can be quite subtle to begin with, you may feel as though you’re perfectly sober. It’s almost impossible to calculate with any accuracy how much you can drink and be safe to drive, because everyone absorbs alcohol at a different rate, depending on sex, weight, metabolism, age, the type of drink consumed, and how much you’ve had to eat. Some people can be seriously affected even though they’re well below the legal limit.
And don’t let anyone tell you that you’ll be all right if you stick to beer or cider rather than spirits. The amount of alcohol in half a pint of beer is roughly equivalent to the alcohol content of a glass of wine or a pub measure of spirits — more, if you’re drinking extra-strength beer or cider. Even alcoholic sodas, which look and taste like soft drinks, can push you over the limit; at 4.2–5.5 per cent proof, they contain as much alcohol as many lagers.
Once you have alcohol in your bloodstream it takes time for the liver to break it down. The average person’s liver can only cope with one unit (that’s about half a pint of beer or a glass of wine) per hour. You can drink all the black coffee you like, swim or exercise, take vitamins or hangover cures — it won’t reduce the level of alcohol in your system. So if you’ve been out for an evening’s drinking, it may be that the following morning, or even lunchtime the next day, will still find you over the limit. Police in some countries set up checkpoints to breathalyse drivers on their way to work and catch out the drinkers. Unless you have your own personal breathalyser kit, there’s no way of telling for sure whether you will pass the test. So take public transport the next day and get a good night’s sleep before driving again.
Legal limits for the amount of alcohol allowed in your bloodstream vary, depending on which country you’re driving in. In Britain it is 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. The amount of drink required to reach this level varies from person to person.
The police have the right to demand a breath test even if you have not committed any traffic offence or been involved in an accident. All the law requires is that they have ‘reasonable suspicion’ that you may have been drinking.
The penalties for driving over the legal limit are severe. You risk being disqualified from driving, fined or imprisoned (if you kill or injure someone as a result of driving under the influence, the fine or prison sentence increases to match the seriousness of the offence).
When planning to drive abroad, check out the motoring regulations before you go. Some countries have much stricter blood alcohol levels, and there may be regulations prohibiting you from carrying (let alone drinking from) open bottles of beer, wine or spirits in the car.
REMEMBER
Even if the accident is someone else’s fault, when you’re over the limit, you’ll come out the loser. The pedestrian who steps out into the path of your car may be twice as drunk as you — but you will be the one who is breathalysed and prosecuted.
The consequences of drinking and driving don’t end with legal action. Drivers with drink driving convictions face higher insurance premiums. Disqualification means inconvenience and the expense of extra travel costs, and if your job involves driving you could find yourself out of work. And if you kill or maim someone, you’ll have to live with your guilt and the disapproval of your friends and relations. Of course it may just as easily be you who is killed or injured.
Rather than risk the consequences, avoid the problem: DON’T drink and drive. Leave the car at home and take public transport or a taxi instead, or arrange for someone who has spent the evening drinking non-alcoholic beverages to drive you home.
Drugs vary in their effect on the body, according to whether they are depressants or stimulants. Some substances remain in your system for two weeks or more. Like alcohol, they impair control and co-ordination; some have more extreme effects, playing tricks with your vision and perception. Illegal drugs are also suspected of being a factor in a number of road rage attacks.
If anything, the stigma attached to a drug-related motoring offence is worse than for drink driving. Even if your line of work doesn’t involve driving, your employment prospects will suffer when it becomes known that you have a criminal record as the result of drug taking.
If you don’t feel well, don’t drive — especially when taking medication. Many drugs cause drowsiness, either when taken on their own or when mixed with other drugs or drink. Some medications cause the pupils to dilate, making the eyes extremely sensitive to strong light. Always ask your doctor whether prescribed drugs will impair your driving performance, and check the label or ask the pharmacist about over-the-counter remedies.
Even without the influence of drugs, your powers of concentration and the speed of your responses are reduced by illness. Something as mundane as a common cold can be dangerous at the wheel. A violent sneeze makes your eyes close and your body jerk, with potentially disastrous consequences if you swerve as a result — and at 70 mph you will cover well over a hundred feet in that second your eyes are closed.
Any injury which impedes the movement of your arms or legs will diminish your control of the vehicle and make driving difficult. Bandages, plasters, and splints will get in the way, sprains or heavy bruising will slow you down. If you suffer discomfort in the muscles or joints when driving, make sure that the mirrors are adjusted to keep head movement to a minimum. Install larger mirrors if need be. Use a cushion or back rest to give more support while driving.
Diseases of the ear can affect your balance as well as your hearing. Two-wheel transport like motorcycles and pedal cycles are out of the question while you’re in this condition. Motorists, too, should exercise caution. If you find that turning your head leaves you giddy and disoriented, you will not be able to look over your shoulder to check your blind spots — which means you are not safe to drive. Consult your doctor.
As we get older, our hearing deteriorates. The high-pitched tones are often the first to go — which means that it can be difficult to hear horns and emergency vehicle sirens. To compensate for a hearing impairment, keep the radio low and check the mirrors more frequently (every three seconds). Have your hearing tested regularly, and if you are issued with a hearing aid, wear it.
One in ten drivers suffer from hay fever. When the pollen count is high the eyes swell and become sore and itchy. Even with the windows and sunroof closed, pollen-saturated air comes in through the vents. In addition to the sneezing fits and the difficulty of seeing when your eyes are watering, hay fever sufferers are likely to have trouble staying awake. It can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep when the symptoms are at their worst, and antihistamines taken to ease the condition can cause drowsiness.
If you are badly affected by hay fever it is safer not to drive. When you have no choice but to drive, take precautions. Use non-sedative antihistamines, following the instructions on the label carefully (do not mix with other drugs without first checking with your pharmacist what the consequences will be). There are a number of non-sedative antihistamines available over the counter at pharmacies that will not make you sleepy. Cortisone drugs can help to suppress a ticklish nose. Don’t wait until you have an attack, take preventive measures: ask your chemist about eye drops or nasal sprays which prevent the pollen getting to sensitive membranes. Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes from irritating bright sunlight may also help.
Some new cars have filters that stop pollen spores from passing through the vents. If your car is not equipped with these, close all windows, turn off fans and close air vents.
It’s important to be mentally as well as physically fit when you drive. Driving is a stressful task at the best of times, because you have to be constantly alert for hazards posed by road conditions and other road users. Any motorist who feels no anxiety whatsoever when behind the wheel is obviously not awake to the potential dangers. But too high a level of anxiety overloads the brain and prevents you from making calm, rational decisions. If your mind is full of the blazing row you’ve just had with a partner or colleague, or if you let yourself get worked up about being late for an appointment because you’ve been stuck in a traffic jam for the last half-hour, you’re going to get distracted from the job in hand. This often results in late decision-making and violent braking.
Try to find ways of coping with stress and combating aggression (see the section on Attitude below). Research has shown that the risk of being involved in an accident increases when you are under the kind of severe stress that follows a bereavement or the break-up of a relationship. After receiving bad news, it can be very difficult to concentrate on driving. Switch to public transport for a while, or get a friend to chauffeur you until you recover.
Sight is critical to safe driving. If you cannot see properly you cannot assess traffic conditions and hazards. Some countries require drivers to undergo eye tests as part of the licence renewal procedure, but in Britain and elsewhere there is only one compulsory sight check, which forms part of the driving test. Having passed the test and gained a licence, a driver could, if he or she chose, go for 50 years without having their eyes tested again. It is estimated that 50 per cent of drivers on Britain’s roads have some form of sight defect, and as many as 25 per cent fall below the minimum legal requirement.
Eyesight can deteriorate with age or as a result of disorders like glaucoma. Symptoms may develop so gradually that you will not even be aware there is a problem until an eye test reveals it. This is why it is essential to have your eyes checked once a year until you are 60, and every six months after that. Sophisticated machines can detect early warning signs of problems like cataracts and glaucoma, and will also reveal defects such as poor depth perception due to long-sightedness or near-sightedness, colour blindness, tunnel vision, and night blindness:
• Hypermetropia (longsightedness) and myopia (short-sightedness) are common problems which can be rectified by wearing contact lenses or glasses.
• Colour blindness is for the most part a hereditary condition (about 8 per cent of men are affected and less than 1 per cent of women), though some cases do result from eye disease or injury.
• Tunnel vision means that only objects which lie straight ahead can be seen clearly. Peripheral vision (the view to the sides) is gradually lost. The most common cause is glaucoma, but brain tumours and degeneration of the retina can have the same result.
• Night blindness occurs when the cells of the retina (a light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye) malfunction. There are a number of possible causes for this condition, including vitamin A deficiency. Sufferers will find driving at night difficult because they will have trouble judging and estimating distances, and the speed of other vehicles. Another problem which may be experienced in dark or low light conditions is over-sensitivity to glare. To compensate for poor light conditions, the pupil of the eye dilates to allow more light to enter. Some people are more affected by glare from oncoming headlights than others, and find driving at night difficult for this reason. But the solution is to see an optician — don’t try using tinted glasses, lenses or visors when driving at night or in poor visibility.
For the majority of motorists, the most dangerous time is not night but dusk. As the light decreases, shapes lose their definition and objects seem to blend into their surroundings, making them difficult to see. Switch on your dipped beam headlights as soon as the light begins to fail.
If an optician prescribes glasses or contact lenses, be sure to wear them. Leaving them off out of negligence or vanity puts yourself and others at risk. Keep a spare pair of glasses in the glove compartment, so that you won’t be stranded if you lose your contact lenses or break the glasses you’re wearing.
Falling asleep at the wheel happens all too often on motorways, with terrifying consequences. And even if you don’t go so far as to actually fall asleep, driving when you are tired means that your concentration and risk perception are impaired, so you’re more likely to have an accident.
One of the most common causes of fatigue is lack of stimulation. On a motorway or a road that you travel every day and know like the back of your hand, driving gets to be monotonous. Fog, rain and darkness make matters worse because there’s even less to see. Because you’re not getting any visual or physical stimulation, your senses become dulled, your levels of awareness and alertness decrease. And the longer you drive, the worse it gets. A driver who is tired before getting into the car — after a hard day’s work or a sleepless night — is particularly at risk. Be careful if you have to drive at times when you would normally be asleep — more fatigue-related accidents occur between midnight and 8 a.m. than at any other time.
Try to reduce the risk of fatigue by taking precautions:
• A light meal like a salad, is best when you’re about to set out on a long journey. A heavy meal will make you sluggish and tired, whether it’s a roast lunch or a three-course evening meal.
• Don’t take any medications that may induce drowsiness. Remember that drugs and alcohol can stay in your system for a long time.
• Driving at night is difficult enough, but if you are suffering from any sight defect or disorder it can be very stressful and tiring. Have your eyes tested and wear glasses or contact lenses if prescribed.
• If you know you have a long overnight journey ahead of you, try to sleep during the day. Prepare the car and do all the necessary packing and route planning, then rest. Avoid last-minute running around at all costs.
• Rattles and squeaks can be irritating, so do what you can to reduce noise in the vehicle. Make sure any luggage in the back is packed securely and that you don’t have items rattling round on the floor of the car.
• Make yourself comfortable. Bad posture causes aches and pains which lead to fatigue setting in. It’s particularly important when driving a hire car or a vehicle you’re not familiar with to take time adjusting the seat and steering before you set off.
• Wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict body movement or steering. Layers of light, loose-fitting garments are best, that way you can stop and add or subtract a layer to achieve the right temperature. NEVER try to get dressed or undressed at the wheel — you need both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road.
• Wear lightweight, flat shoes with enclosed or covered heels, and make sure that the soles grip the pedals. Nothing is worse than shoes which slip off the pedals when you’re trying to control the car (check that the pedal rubbers themselves are not worn and slippery).
• Keep a window slightly ajar so that fresh air can circulate.
• Wipers can be very hypnotic. If it’s raining and the wipers are on, don’t stare at them — the effect can be very hypnotic and you’ll slip into a trance-like state.
• When planning your route for a long journey, pick out a few places where you can take a break en route. Aim to stop at least every three hours for a 20-minute break. If weather conditions are poor, you may need to stop more frequently. Mature drivers need more frequent and longer breaks to relieve fatigue.
If you start to feel drowsy at the wheel, or if you’re driving at night and lights start to blur, it’s time to take a break. Pull into a layby or service area as soon as you can. In the meantime, do something to fight off the fatigue. Open the window and take deep breaths of fresh air. If you have a passenger, get them to have a conversation with you If you are alone, turn on the radio and sing along, or try giving a running commentary as you drive. Flex your fingers and toes, and stretch each arm and leg in turn while sitting at the controls. Don’t stare fixedly at one point. Look as far ahead as possible then check the mirrors left and right, then look ahead again. By focusing on objects close at hand and then in the distance, you will work the optic muscles and help to keep yourself alert.
When you are able to stop the car, get out and stretch your legs. Go for a walk if it’s safe to do so. If not, do a few gentle exercises in the car. Try rolling your head gently, first one way and then the other. Make circular movements with your shoulders to release some of the tension in your neck and spine. Pour yourself a refreshing non-alcoholic drink before you set off again — dehydration can make you feel lethargic on long journeys.
Safe driving means giving the road your full attention. Being distracted by something going on in the car, even for a split second, can have terrible consequences when you are travelling at speed. By the time you become aware of the hazard on the road ahead, violent braking or swerving may be your only option — which can have repercussions for the vehicles following along behind you. And even if you do have your eyes on the road, poor concentration slows your reaction times.
Eliminate distractions wherever possible. Physical discomfort can take your mind off the road, so dress in loose-fitting clothes, wear sensible footwear, adjust your seat to a comfortable position, and visit the toilet before you depart. Tidy up the interior so that there are no loose items to fall about when you accelerate, brake or corner. Make sure that the driver’s footwell is kept clear, because if something were to roll under the pedals it could prevent you from applying the brakes in an emergency.
The correct way to maintain safe control of the vehicle is to have both hands on the wheel, positioned at two o’clock and ten o’clock or three o’clock and nine o’clock.
This is why it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving (there are phones that can be operated safely without taking your hands off the wheel, so if you must use make or receive calls in the car, use one of these). One of the most common causes of accidents is tuning the radio or changing a cassette while driving. Don’t get too engrossed in a radio programme or telephone conversation — your hazard perception and response times will suffer. If you have passengers, keep your eyes on the road while you talk to them — and avoid getting into an argument or having a stressful heart-to-heart with the one you love.
Smoking can seriously damage your health in the long term — smoking while driving can kill you in seconds. For as long as that cigarette lasts, it is placing you and your passengers in jeopardy.
To start with, concentration is lost while you search for the cigarette packet and lighter. To light up you have to take one hand off the wheel (two hands are needed to light a match). Once the cigarette is lit, you need one hand to hold it or remove it from your lips. The ash has to be flicked somewhere, which means using the ashtray or flicking it out of the open window (with a risk of it being blown back into your eyes). Sometimes when the smoker tries to take the cigarette from their mouth it sticks to the lips, so that the hand slides down, nipping off the hot tip which drops into the lap causing your attention to be diverted yet again.
When the cigarette is finished it must be extinguished and disposed of. Using the ashtray involves taking a hand off the wheel, throwing the cigarette out of the window could injure cyclists or pedestrians, or cause grass fires.
Some insurance companies now charge smokers a higher premium to reflect the risks they run. Why run risks when you don’t have to? If you must smoke, wait until you stop for a break and then light up.
NEVER allow pets to roam free in the car — they can become excited and cause a major distraction. The majority of dogs love travelling and like nothing better than sticking their heads out of the window. This can be dangerous; have the windows open just enough for ventilation, but not enough for the dog to get its head out. If your dog is a poor traveller, don’t sit him on your lap to make him feel better, seek the advice of a vet before you travel. For a long journey, some nervous pets may need to be prescribed tranquillizers. Keep all pets in the rear of the car, either in purpose-built carriers or behind a wire screen. It’s a good idea to see they get exercise before the journey to make them a little calmer. Take along a supply of food and water for them on the journey and stop frequently to monitor their condition.
Dogs should be put on a lead when you let them out as they will be excited and want to run. Don’t let them in fields where there are livestock, and don’t let them foul public areas. If you have to leave an animal alone in the car, leave them with adequate ventilation and water. On a hot day, park in the shade and leave the rear windows open at least 4 inches. Do not leave them unattended for hours on end — as the sun moves across the sky the shadow will disappear and the car will turn into an oven. Every year there are reports of dogs dying a terrible death in parked cars because of their owners’ thoughtlessness.
Insects like wasps, bees or hornets, can cause pandemonium when they get themselves trapped inside a moving vehicle.
STAY CALM. Keep your eyes on the road. Don’t swipe at the insect — you will only make things worse. Wind a window down so that it can fly out. If that doesn’t work, pull over when it is safe and legal to do so, open the door and coax it to leave.
Children can be a major source of distraction on long journeys. As the miles mount up their enthusiasm gives way to boredom. Don’t allow children to slip their shoulders from seat belt in order to get a better view of the surroundings. Take along a supply of colouring books and favourite soft toys to help pass the time. Be careful what you give the children to eat before and during the journey, especially if they are prone to travel sickness. Sweets may add to the pleasure of the trip, but avoid large boiled sweets which they might choke on, and sticky sweets which will mark the interior of the vehicle. Crisps will make them dry so have a drink handy. This will lead to them requiring to relieve themselves, so be prepared for plenty of short halts.
Frequent rest stops are essential. Stop at a designated picnic or parking area and supervise the children, preventing their pent-up energy from placing them in danger. Keep them off the road and don’t let them play ball games where cars are parked. An open field is ideal for letting them stretch their limbs in safety. Don’t climb fences to gain access — honour the country code.
As it gets dark encourage the children to sleep. Cushions and blankets will make this easier.
A safe driver is one who thinks about their driving and looks for ways to improve it. The majority of motorists consider themselves to be good drivers, but the fact that driver error plays a part in over 90 per cent of accidents means that a lot of people are kidding themselves.
An important aspect of driving safely is developing an awareness of your limitations and those of your vehicle. We all have limitations, though many of us fail to recognize them. When there’s an accident or near-miss, we tend automatically to hold the other driver responsible rather than accepting our own portion of the blame. That means we come away without learning anything from the experience. So it’s no wonder that drivers who have been in an accident are twice as likely to have another one, while drivers who are at least partly to blame for an accident are four times more likely to be involved in a similar accident within the next year.
All too often when we take risks, we try to justify them instead of taking a critical look at our attitude and driving practices. That needs to change if you want to be a safe driver, because otherwise you will go on repeating those risks and having accidents or narrowly avoiding them.
Start by making an adjustment in the way you assess your own performance as a driver. Recognize your limitations. If you are middle-aged, don’t think that because you are experienced you cannot be involved in an accident. If you are a mature driver, adapt your driving habits to fit your physical abilities. Drive shorter distances, stay out of heavy traffic, and try to stick to familiar routes. Drivers of all ages should review their driving from a safety angle. Do you routinely leave for work at the last minute and use aggressive tactics to get you through rush-hour traffic regardless of the risks? Can you honestly say that you always match your speed to your vision and the prevailing road surface conditions? Do you enjoy the thrill of danger? Do you think that your fast cornering, rapid acceleration and breathtaking manoeuvres impress others? In safety terms, you’re a disaster. It’s definitely luck rather than judgement that has kept you alive thus far.
The more routine an action becomes, the harder it can be to change. Advanced driving lessons can help you to re-evaluate your driving and improve your standards, and there’s the added incentive of a reduction in insurance premiums if you pass the advanced driving test at the end.
• Each child in turn adds up the number plate of the car coming in the opposite direction. The highest score wins.
• Each child picks a colour. Every time they spot a car of that colour they score a point. The winner is the first one to 30.
• Play ‘first one to spot…’ Before setting off on the journey give each child a list of objects which they must spot — bridge, church, canal, types of animals, trees, road sign, etc. Each of these can be a point of discussion and explanation.
No driving test can assess attitude — for the duration of the test all candidates are on their very best behaviour, suppressing negative tendencies like aggressive behaviour and risk-taking. Unfortunately, once the test is over, there’s a tendency to forget about the rules of the road and the need for courtesy to other road users. Getting there in a hurry becomes all important, and drivers will risk their lives to gain a few seconds. As traffic grinds to a halt on congested roads and motorways, stress levels can reach the point where drivers show no tolerance for one another and ‘road rage’ breaks out.
Why do otherwise normal, law-abiding people turn into violent maniacs when they get behind the wheel? Research surveys show that most road-rage offenders believe themselves to be the victims of someone else’s bad driving. They interpret some simple incident like being overtaken or cut in on as a threat, and respond aggressively. Or they react to antisocial behaviour, such as driving too slowly or hogging the overtaking lane, by setting out to teach the other driver a lesson. This leads to headlight flashing, horn tooting, obscene gestures and verbal abuse, which can in turn escalate into tailgating or deliberately obstructing the other vehicle’s progress. While this sort of activity is going on, those involved get so caught up in the battle that they lose sight of the risks they are taking. They ignore the traffic around them, the condition of the road surface, and the rules of the road, particularly the speed limit.
To combat road rage:
STAY CALM. Avoid letting yourself get stressed. Concentrate on your driving. Don’t get into the car fuming over a row you’ve just had — that’s giving road rage a head start. Don’t set yourself an impossible deadline which the traffic won’t allow you to keep — leave plenty of time for your journey, plan for delays. Play soothing music, think calmly and logically about the task in hand — giving a running commentary on your driving may help to focus the mind. When you feel the stress mounting, try counting to ten or deep breathing exercises, or pull over when safe to do so and take a break. If you know you are overwrought and having difficulty controlling your emotions, don’t drive. Seek counselling or take steps to sort yourself out before you do something you’ll regret.
BE TOLERANT. You’re not a mind reader, so why assume that the other driver is deliberately trying to annoy you? Chances are it’s a genuine mistake, so let it go. And when you make a mistake yourself, take an apologetic and courteous attitude. Most people respond in kind, so courtesy will smooth over a potentially explosive situation, while abuse will make it worse.
CONCENTRATE on your driving. Remember, safety is paramount. Think of the consequences dangerous driving can have.
DISENGAGE. Don’t let it get personal — even if you’re certain the other driver’s action was deliberate, do not retaliate or engage in vehicle combat. It’s not your place to teach anyone a lesson. Sooner or later, dangerous drivers get their just deserts with no help from you. When someone drives like an accident waiting to happen, your priority should be to get out of the disaster zone before it’s too late. Even though it’s galling to let them have their own way, in the interests of self-preservation you must resist the impulse to take up their challenge. Let them think you’re a coward — better that than to be pronounced dead.
For further tips on what to do if you become a victim of someone else’s road rage, see Under Attack.
Drivers don’t only take risks when aggression and stress cause them to lose all sense of caution. Some do it for the thrill of danger, or to impress others, or because they enjoy the illusion of being in control of a powerful car at high speeds. Young male drivers are particularly at risk. Often they think that the speed of their reactions is fast enough to cope, but in many cases a fast reaction will be the wrong reaction, because they haven’t allowed themselves time to consider all the possible implications. Even on an empty road, with no other traffic to contend with, speeding kills. In nearly 20 per cent of accidents, no other vehicle is involved.
Driving without due care:
• overtaking on the inside
• driving too close to another vehicle
• driving through a red light.
Driving without reasonable consideration:
• using headlamps or foglights to dazzle other road users
• forcing other drivers to give way by flashing headlights
• using the wrong lane to avoid queuing
• remaining in an overtaking lane
• unnecessarily slow driving or braking without good cause
Dangerous driving:
• racing or competitive driving
• inappropriate use of speed for prevailing road conditions
• intimidatory driving, e.g. cutting in or tailgating
• deliberate disregard of traffic lights or other road signs
• persistent or deliberate bad driving
There does not have to be an accident for police to bring a prosecution for motoring offences.
In many countries it is illegal to use devices which detect or jam radar frequencies in an attempt to defeat police speed traps. You can be prosecuted for using these devices.
Penalties for speeding include substantial fines, licence endorsements and/or disqualification.
Driving too fast causes thousands of avoidable deaths and injuries every year. The risk of your having an accident increases the faster you go, while the chances of survival for you and road users in your path decreases as the needle on the speedometer climbs. Nine out of ten pedestrians will survive being hit by a car travelling at 10 mph, but at 40 mph nine out of ten is the death toll.
Obeying the speed limit is not necessarily the same thing as travelling at a safe speed. The speed limit represents the maximum permissible speed in optimum conditions. A safe speed is one which allows you to stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear.
When assessing what would be a safe speed, you need to take into account:
Weather: It takes much longer to stop on wet or icy surfaces. ABS brakes help prevent skids, they don’t reduce your stopping distance.
Visibility: At night or in fog you won’t be able to see far ahead.
Road conditions: Bends and hills mean blind spots. Stopping distances increase when travelling downhill. In densely populated areas there’s a danger of pedestrians stepping off the pavement into your path.
Traffic: heavy traffic means more hazards to watch for.
Driver: High speeds require total concentration, excellent vision (to scan the horizon), and the ability to evaluate hazards and take appropriate action. This level of concentration cannot be sustained over long periods, even by the most experienced driver. Know your limitations, the speed you are safe and comfortable with, and drive accordingly.
Vehicle: The power of the engine and braking characteristics will determine how fast it can travel in safety. Worn brakes, worn tyres, and poor suspension make it more difficult to stop in a hurry.
It’s easy to speed unintentionally when your speed perception gets distorted, as happens in poor visibility or after you’ve been travelling at high speed on a motorway. Keep checking your speedometer.
Driving too close to the vehicle in front is so common that many drivers aren’t even aware of the risk they’re taking. At least 10 per cent of accidents occur as a result of this practice, and it’s one of the things most likely to incite road rage in others.
Allow yourself time to react to hazards by leaving a safe gap between your car and the vehicle in front. If someone behind you draws too close, increase the gap in front of you to compensate. That way you won’t find yourself sandwiched between other vehicles in the event of a crash.
The following distances are based on a vehicle in optimum condition on a flat, straight road in good, dry conditions, with an alert driver:
STOPPING DISTANCES
| speed | thinking distance* | braking distance | overall stopping distance |
| 20 mph | 6 m/20 ft | 6 m/20 ft | 12 m /40 ft (3 car lengths) |
| 30 mph | 9 m/30 ft | 14 m/45 ft | 23 m /75 ft (6 car lengths) |
| 40 mph | 12 m/40 ft | 24 m/80 ft | 36 m /120 ft (9 car lengths) |
| 50 mph | 15 m/50 ft | 38 m/125 ft | 53 m/175 ft (13 car lengths) |
| 60 mph | 18 m/60 ft | 55 m/180 ft | 73 m /240 ft (18 car lengths) |
| 70 mph | 21 m/70 ft | 75 m/245 ft | 96 m/315 ft (24 car lengths) |
*Thinking distance is the time it takes for the driver to recognize the need to brake and apply pressure to the pedal.
The old motto, ‘Be prepared!’ applies as much on the roads as in the Boy Scouts. Develop your ability to read the road and identify potential dangers early on, so that you can respond in good time should the need arise. Remain constantly alert to the changing road conditions, even when you’re certain you know the road like the back of your hand — most accidents happen within 10 miles of the driver’s home. Never be complacent in your driving; other road users can make mistakes or take reckless chances. Drive at a speed which allows you time to evaluate and act upon any hazards which may arise.
By anticipating problems you can avoid having to slam on the brakes at the last moment, with the risk that entails of a following car slamming into you. Slow down gradually by applying the brakes, so that following drivers can see your brake lights and adjust their speed accordingly.
Other common accident scenarios and techniques for avoiding hazards are dealt with in Defensive Driving.
Thousands of tons of debris are cleared from motorways every year, much of it potentially lethal. Vehicle parts account for most of the rubbish, though items as large as garage doors and gas cookers have been retrieved from traffic lanes by police. Even relatively small items can kill: a sheet of newspaper, if it lands across the windscreen or wraps itself round a motorcyclist’s head, can cause a fatal accident.
Motorists, when faced with a piece of debris on the road ahead and a split second in which to decide what action to take, will, in most cases, swerve suddenly to avoid the debris — creating a further hazard for following drivers.
To minimize the dangers of road debris, give yourself time and space in which to react:
• Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. If it is carrying a load which appears unstable, allow an even greater gap. Should another car fill the gap, ease off again to maintain that safety margin. Remember that the shortest stopping distance at 70 mph is the equivalent of 24 car lengths.
• Read the road ahead. Keep an eye on what cars in the distance are doing. If you see them taking avoiding action, prepare to react. Watch out for drivers way ahead of you using their brake lights, hazard warning lights or indicators. Give yourself time to slow down to a halt — braking suddenly will most likely result in your car being shunted by the vehicle behind.
When carrying a load of any description, make absolutely sure it is secure before you set off. The slipstream at 70 mph exerts considerable force.
If you see a dangerous obstruction in the road, find a safe place to stop and telephone the police. Your warning could save lives.
Safety demands that you and your car need to be in tip-top condition. Before driving off, always carry out a quick inspection to ensure that there are no signs of forced entry and that the car is serviceable (see First Parade in Maintenance), and that your survival kit(s) are stowed correctly. This check will only take a few minutes and yet it could save you hours of misery.
A quick way to remember the items which need checking is to think POWER:
Petrol (oil or diesel)
Oil
Water (screenwash, coolant)
Electrics (lights)
Rubber (tyres and wipers)
Next, check underneath the vehicle for potential hazards or obstructions. Make sure no animals or children are at risk of being run over when you reverse.
DRIVER CHECKLIST
• Do you have a hangover?
• Are you taking medication that makes you drowsy?
• Suffering from any ailments or injuries, dental problems, sight defects?
• Feeling stressed after receiving bad news or having a row?
If the answer is yes, find some other form of transport, or stay indoors.
COCKPIT DRILL
Doors: Make sure all doors, including the hatchback or boot, are closed securely.
Seat: Adjust the driver’s seat to suit your height, making sure that the angle and distance from the wheel are comfortable. Adjust the head restraint so that it is level with the tops of your ears and close to the back of your head.
Steering: On some models the steering wheel can be adjusted. This is done by pulling a lever. Make sure it is securely engaged once you have made an adjustment. NEVER adjust the wheel when driving.
Seat belts: Make sure everyone is wearing a seat belt.
Mirrors: Adjust the interior mirror so as to give maximum all-round vision with minimum head movement. Check the exterior mirrors: you should be able to see one-third car and two-thirds road. A passenger can assist with this, otherwise it may be necessary to hop in and out of the car until you’re happy with the angle. The height of both mirrors is important: too high and you’ll create a dangerous blind spot; too low and you won’t see cars in the distance preparing to overtake. There are small inserts which can be stuck on to the wing mirrors giving a wider angle and eliminating blind spots.
Ensure the car is in neutral and the handbrake is applied. Switch on the ignition and check that all warning lights and gauges are functioning. On vehicles with a manual choke, set the choke (new cars are fitted with an automatic choke) and start the engine. Depress clutch pedal and select gear. Don’t touch the accelerator pedal when starting, it will only flood the engine.
Never race a cold engine. Let it warm up until it reaches normal operating temperature. This is when the temperature needle reaches normal and the choke is not required. While the engine is warming up, test the indicators, main beam, dip, and side lights, also hazard warning lights, and horn.
REMEMBER
NEVER leave an engine running unattended, especially with children or pets in the vehicle.
Check your mirrors, look over your shoulder to check your blindspot (if reversing, be especially wary of children or animals behind the car), release the handbrake and move off gradually. For the first few miles, be gentle on the brakes and take time changing gears — this will save wear and tear on the car.
Too many garages end up being used as a storage space for unsafe equipment and dangerous chemicals. If you intend to carry out car repairs or other work in the garage, make sure that it is a safe, well-lit and well-ventilated environment. Have a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit on hand.
Having invested in good quality tools, look after them. Store them in a tool box when not in use. Stow away tools, garden implements and other items on shelves or stout hooks.
DON’T store large quantities of petrol, paraffin and other flammable substances. In some countries there are legal limits on the amount of petrol you are allowed to store in a domestic environment.
Make it a rule that children are NEVER allowed into the garage unsupervised. It is not a suitable play area.
Store hazardous chemicals out of the reach of children — locked away if possible. Research has shown that most accidents occur when dangerous substances are stored less than four feet from ground level without being locked away.
Study the manufacturer’s instructions on the label. It’s all too easy, when you use a product regularly, to ignore the warnings on the label. Almost any chemical can be dangerous when used carelessly.
Hazardous items typically found in the garage include:
Petrol: Highly flammable/explosive. NEVER allow petrol fumes to build up — make sure the area is well ventilated. Do not smoke or permit any naked flames or sparks in the area. NEVER syphon fuel by sucking on a tube. If swallowed, petrol can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation. Inhaling the fumes can damage the lungs and cause pneumonia-like disorders. NEVER induce vomiting as further lung damage will occur. Seek medical attention immediately. Wear protective clothing and goggles to prevent contact with skin or eyes. If petrol gets on to the skin, rinse for several minutes under running water. Eye contact should be treated by irrigating the eyes with tepid water under a mixer tap or shower attachment for a minimum of 20 minutes, then seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Antifreeze and de-icer: Antifreeze may contain ethylene glycol. If swallowed it can damage the kidneys, brain and heart. De-icers often contain methanol, which if inhaled can cause dizziness and nausea. If swallowed, damage to the eyesight may occur. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical help without delay. To treat cases of skin and eye contact, follow the procedure described under Petrol, above.
Engine oil: Prolonged skin contact can cause serious skin disorders and cancer. Always wear gloves and protective clothing, and wash away any oil that comes in contact with the skin. Take care when disposing of used oil.
Car batteries: Give off highly explosive hydrogen gas and contain caustic acid. For a full list of safety precautions, see Maintenance.
Brush cleaners and paint strippers: May contain methanol. Some contain dichloro-methane, which can be absorbed through the skin or by inhalation, causing damage to the central nervous system. Rinse thoroughly for at least 20 minutes and then seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Solvents, adhesives and sealants: Highly flammable and give off toxic vapours which can quickly cause dizziness and nausea. Over-exposure can lead to headaches, vomiting, stupor and hallucinations. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage. Extreme exertion after inhaling may put the heart at risk. Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately. Avoid skin contact. Wash off as soon as possible with soap and warm water. Don’t scrub — try to peel the glue away gently.
Rust removers: These are both highly poisonous and highly corrosive. Avoid all skin and eye contact. If any is swallowed, call an ambulance. Do not induce vomiting.
Carbon monoxide: Inhalation causes sickness, chronic tiredness, muscular weakness. Victims should be helped outdoors or where there is a plentiful supply of fresh air, such as by an open window. Loosen restrictive clothing, especially around the neck and chest, and check that the victim is breathing. Administer artificial respiration and/or cardiac compression if necessary. Even if the victim claims to feel better afterwards, insist that they seek medical attention.
