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Common Causes of Road Collisions
Mobile PhonesMobile Phones
Sqwaking on the phone - The Honest Truth about mobiles
A good driver is completely focused on the road. Always. Using a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone while driving is a distraction and increases the risk of a driver crashing.
Drivers who use a mobile phone whether hand-held or hands-free are:
- four times more likely to crash, injuring or killing themselves and/or other people
- much less aware of what’s happening on the road around them
- more likely not to see road signs
- unlikely to maintain proper lane position and steady speed
- more likely to ‘tailgate’ the vehicle in front
- likely to react more slowly and take longer to brake
- more likely to enter unsafe gaps in traffic
These risks aren’t just due to busy fingers. Using a hands-free phone while driving is still a big risk as if a driver’s focus is on a phone conversation, their full attention isn’t on the road.
What can you do to be a good driver?
- Be the boss. In your vehicle you’re in charge. Let your passengers/squawking parrots know upfront that you won’t be distracted by phones or other devices in the car. If they muck around, they can find a new ride.
- Put your phone somewhere you can’t see it, hear it or reach it when you’re driving. That way you won’t be distracted by it.
- If you need or want to check your phone, pull over somewhere where it’s safe for you to use it.
- If you’re expecting contact from someone, let them know you’re going to be driving so you’ll be unreachable for a bit.
- Remember how important you are. Don’t let a text, a status update, a share, a meme be the one thing that could potentially destroy your world (and possibly someone else’s).
What's the law?
Hand-held phones – it’s illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone or device while driving (including sat-navs). It’s also an offence to “cause or permit” a driver to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving.
Hands-free phones - It can be illegal to use a hands-free phone while driving. Depending upon the circumstances, drivers could be charged with ‘failing to have proper control of their vehicle’.
What's the punishment for using a mobile phone when driving?
- The law means you could receive a £200 fine and 6 points.
- If you’re within the first 2 years of passing your test you’ll probably lose your license and have to retake your theory and practical tests again.
- Possibly prison if you really hurt or kill someone. Police check phone records when investigating a fatal collision or serious injury.
- Lots of employers ask about driving convictions on application forms, so it could mean that you can’t apply for the job you want. Depending on what you do, you could lose your job if you're convicted.
- If you hurt someone or kill someone, you’ll have to live with that for the rest of your life.
SpeedSpeed
Racing like a cheetah - The Honest Truth about speeding
A good driver respects why speed limits exist and drives to the conditions of the road. Always. Speed is a factor in:
- 12% of all injury-causing crashes
- 18% of crashes resulting in a serious injury
- 28% of all fatal crashes.
Around 1,000 people are killed each year on our roads because drivers and riders travel too fast.
Most deaths and serious injuries occur on rural roads. Narrow and bendy roads mean limited visibility. Combine that with speeding and you have a huge risk of people getting serious hurt or killed.
What's The Honest Truth about the 30 speed limit?
The harsh reality of the 30 mph speed limit is if a driver hits someone at 30, that person has a chance of surviving. If a driver in a car hits someone at:
- 30 mph, two out of 10 pedestrians would be killed.
- 35 mph, five out of 10 pedestrians would be killed.
- 40 mph, nine out of 10 pedestrians would be killed.
What can you do to be a good driver?
- Be the boss. Your car your rules. Let your passengers know upfront that you’re not going to speed like a cheetah and if they’re in that much of a hurry they can find another ride.
- Adapt. Good drivers understand situations and adapt. Drive to suit the road and the conditions.
- Understand that as a driver you're responsible for your vehicle and your actions. If you speed and something happens you'll have to live with the consequences of that.
- Look into getting a black box. It will encourage you not to speed and could get you a better deal on your insurance.
What is the law?
You mustn’t drive faster than the speed limit for the type of road and your type of vehicle. The speed limit is the absolute maximum but it doesn’t mean it’s safe to drive at that speed in all conditions. Find out more at www.gov.uk/speed-limits.
What is the punishment?
- The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and 3 penalty points added to your licence.
- You could be disqualified from driving if you build up 12 or more penalty points within a period of 3 years.
- If you’re stopped by the police for the speeding offence they can either fine you or send the case to court.
- If you’re caught on camera, the vehicle’s registered keeper will be sent a notice of intended prosecution. If that’s ignored, it goes to court.
- If you’re within 2 years of passing your driving test, you’ll probably lose your licence if you build up 6 or more points.
- Possibly prison if you really hurt or kill someone. Police check phone records when investigating a fatal collision or serious injury.
- Lots of employers ask about driving convictions on application forms, so it could mean that you can’t apply for a job you want.
- If you hurt someone or kill someone, you’ll have to live with that for the rest of your life.
DrinkDrink
Hair of the dog - The Honest Truth about alcohol
1 in five 5 deaths involve alcohol. Young men aged 16-24 are more likely to die from an alcohol related road traffic collision and are the cause of over 400 deaths each year. Alcohol:
- slows brain function and reaction times by 10 to 30%
- causes blurring and loss of vital peripheral vision and a 25% reduction in the ability to judge distance and speed
- causes over confidence and reduces the perception of risk
- for young people the accident risk increases after one drink; after two it doubles and after five it can have increased tenfold
- has exactly the same effect whether neat or with a mixer
What's The Honest Truth about the alcohol limit for driving?
There is no way of anyone knowing for sure that they’re safe to drive after drinking.
How your body reacts to alcohol can depend on loads of things like your: weight, gender, metabolism, current stress levels, whether you’ve eaten recently, how tired you are.
Find out more about the alcohol limits for driving and a whole range of other information at www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/alcohol-and-the-law/drink-driving-and-the-legal-alcohol-limit/.
What can you do to be a good driver?
- Good drivers are always in control and focused on the road. If you’ve had alcohol and you’re thinking about driving ask yourself, if I’m involved in a collision could I be 100% confident that I was in complete control?
- If you’re going out in a group regularly and alcohol is going to be involved, take it in turns to have a designated driver who avoids the booze altogether.
- Give a designated driver friend an incentive for being ‘the sober one’. Buy them soft drinks, give them petrol money and remind them that they’ll be in control of any photos!
- Plan nights out. If you can avoid driving completely if alcohol is involved, that’s great. Check out what local transport is available in advance.
- Create a rule with your friends that you’ll always look out for each other. If you think a friend is going to get behind the wheel after having too much, agree on how you’ll all handle that together if it happens.
- If you are going to have a drink and drive, think about eating, how long it’s been between your last drink and driving, how much you’ve had, and remember that despite all of that you can’t ever be completely sure.
- Hair of the dog? Alcohol can stay in your system for hours. Remember if you've been drinking the night before that you may not be safe to drive the next day.
What is the law?
Find out more about alcohol limits for driving at www.gov.uk/drink-drive-limit.
What is the punishment?
- Possibly a ban meaning you can’t drive.
- A fine (this could be unlimited).
- Potentially a prison sentence.
- You could lose your job if you’re convicted.
- Lots of employers ask about driving convictions on application forms, so it could mean that you can’t apply for a job you want.
- If you hurt someone or kill someone, you’ll have to live with that for the rest of your life.
Seat BeltsSeat Belts
The force of a charging rhino - the Honest Truth about seatbelts
Seatbelt’s aren’t accessories, they're life savers.
- One in five young people driven by a young person don’t wear seatbelts.
- People are less likely to use seatbelts on short or familiar journeys or at low speeds. This puts them at serious risk of injury in a crash.
- You are twice as likely to die in a crash if you don’t wear a seatbelt.
- Seatbelts reduce the risk of being thrown from a vehicle.
What can you do to be a good driver?
- Always wear your seatbelt. To find out about the rare times when you don’t need to wear one visit www.gov.uk/seat-belts-law/when-you-dont-need-to-wear-a-seat-belt.
- Check if you have little passengers. Depending on their height children may need a car seat.
- Tell your friends that if someone isn’t wearing a seatbelt and they’re in a crash at 30 mph, that person’s body will hit whatever’s in front of it at a force that’s 30 – 60 times their own body weight (which is the same force as a charging rhino).
- You’re the boss in your car. Tell your passengers up front that they either buckle up or get out. As a driver your passengers become your responsibility. If they disrespect your safety, your driving licence, their own safety and your rules, they can find another ride.
What’s the law?
It’s the law to wear a seat belt if one is fitted in the seat you’re using (there are a few rare exceptions). You’re also only allowed 1 person in each seat fitted with a seat belt.
You must also make sure that any children in the vehicle you’re driving are:
- in the correct car seat for their height or weight until they reach 135 centimetres tall or their 12th birthday, whichever is first.
- wearing a seat belt if they’re 12 or 13 years old, or younger and over 135cm tall.
What’s the punishment?
- You can be fined up to £500 if you don’t wear a seat belt when you’re supposed to.
- You can be fined up to £500 if a child under 14 isn’t in the correct car seat or wearing a seat belt while you’re driving.
FatigueFatigue
A cat nap - The Honest Truth about fatigue
- If you’re tired, your reactions might be slower so you may not be in full control of your vehicle.
- If you nodded off for 6 seconds whilst travelling at 70 mph on a motorway; you could travel nearly 200 meters which could be enough to take you across all 3 lanes of traffic and off the road.
- Men under 30 are most at risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Collisions are most likely to occur in the early hours (between 2am - 6am) and after lunch (between 2pm – 4pm).
- Big meals and alcohol can make you sleepy and affect your driving.
- 20% of the collisions on the road are sleep related.
- Young drivers are more likely to crash because they’re twice as likely to drive when tired.
- 1 in 4 young drivers admit to continuing to drive whilst being tired; compare to 1 in 8 of the rest of the population.
- Sleep related collisions tend to be more serious; with 50% more likelihood to result in death or serious injury.
What can you do to be a good driver?
A good driver is in control of themselves and their vehicle. Always.
- Don’t start a long journey if you’re already tired.
- Plan enough time into long journeys so you can grab a break now and again.
- If you're travelling with other people on a long journey, suggest that you all have appropriate insurance so that you can take turns driving.
- If you’re stopping for a coffee, remember that caffeine is only a temporary fix and will need 10-15 minutes to get into your system and start to work.
- Try to avoid trips late at night or early in the morning when you’re probably going to feel tired anyway.
- Get plenty of sleep before a long journey.
- If you feel really sleepy, find a place that’s safe for you to stop and rest (not the hardshoulder).
What’s the law?
There isn't a specific law making it an offence to drive when you’re tired, but you’re more likely to commit another driving offence when sleepy.
What’s the punishment?
- It depends on the driving offences committed.
- Maximum penalty is up to 14 years imprisonment if you killed someone from falling asleep whilst driving; as this would be classed as causing a death by dangerous driving.
DrugsDrugs
Eyes front - What’s The Honest Truth about driving on drugs
Legal and illegal drugs can affect a driver’s body and mind, which can include:
- slower reaction times
- poor concentration
- sleepiness/fatigue
- confused thinking
- distorted perception
- over-confidence
- blurred vision
If you’re on prescribed medication, make sure you read the information leaflet that came with the medicine before driving. If in doubt speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
What can you do to be a good driver?
- Check yourself. If you’re on medication but think it may be affecting your ability to drive, don’t risk it and have a chat with a doctor or pharmacist.
- Only ever drive when you are sure that you’re in complete control of yourself and your vehicle. If you can’t be sure, find another way to travel.
- Let your friends know up front that you’re not into drugs and driving so if they’re going to put pressure on, they can save it and find another ride.
- Think about how you would handle a situation if you’re ever a passenger but you think that the driver may be unsafe due to drugs. What would you say? How could remove yourself from that situation? How could you persuade the driver not to drive?
What’s the law?
You’re breaking the law if you’re driving and:
- you’re unfit to drive because you’re on legal or illegal drugs
- you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood (even if they haven’t affected your driving)
What’s the punishment?
If you’re convicted of drug driving you’ll get:
- a minimum 1 year driving ban
- an unlimited fine
- up to 6 months in prison
- a criminal record
- Your driving licence will also show you’ve been convicted for drug driving. This will last for 11 years.
- The penalty for causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of drugs is a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
DistractionsDistractions
Dealing with monkeys - The Honest Truth about distractions
A good driver is in control of their vehicle always. If a driver is distracted, the risk of that vehicle being involved in a crash goes up. A lot.
- For younger and less experienced drivers, the risk of collision goes up with every additional passenger in the car. A new driver is five times more likely to crash if they have two or more passengers in the car.
- Statistically, more girls die as passengers than as drivers.
- Distractions inside a vehicle can be almost anything including: smoking, using a phone, loud music, changing music tracks, and talking with a passenger.
- All sorts of distractions, not just inside the vehicle, can cause collisions like ‘rubber necking’, the weather, and other vehicles.
What can you do to be a good driver?
- Don’t allow monkeys in your car. If your passengers are going to act like chimps then they’re placing you, themselves and other people at risk. They’re also risking your licence. Make the rules of your car up front. You’re the boss.
- Keep your music levels down and reduce the risk of any other distractions in your vehicle (for example put your mobile phone away where you can’t see it or hear it).
- Keep your eyes on the road and use your mirrors. Getting distracted by anything for too long means you’re attention isn’t where it should be and it only takes a second for a collision to take place.
What’s the law?
- ‘Being distracted’ in itself isn’t against the law, but the offences that are committed as a result of being distracted are.
- It’s illegal to use some distracting items such as hand-held mobile phone or device while driving (including sat-navs).
- If you are distracted and you speed for example, you would be committing an offence.
What’s the punishment?
The punishment would depend on the driving offence committed.
Showing OffShowing Off
Peacocking - The Honest Truth about showing off in a vehicle
Learning to drive and getting your first vehicle is awesome. That can go to some people’s heads and it can be tempting to show off which can include:
- a lot of noise and loud music in the vehicle
- ‘road rage’ or intimidating other road users
- speeding
- racing
These things increase the risk of a vehicle being involved in a collision.
What can you do to be a good driver?
- Don’t get drawn into peer pressure. It’s easier said than done, but if your friends want you to show off and put yourself, your licence and their safety at risk, are you ok with that?
- Think about how you might react if your passengers start trying to get you to show off. How could you handle that?
- Remind your friends that good, skilled drivers look after themselves, their passengers, their vehicles and other road users. Risking a licence and doing things to hurt other people or risk their lives makes someone a bad driver.
- Don’t allow monkeys in your car. If your passengers are going to act like chimps and show off then they’re placing you, themselves and other people at risk. They’re also risking your licence. Make the rules of your car known up front. You’re the boss.
What’s the law?
- ‘Showing off’ in itself isn’t against the law, but someone could be committing offences as a result of behaving that way.
- If you are showing off and you speed for example, you would be committing an offence.
What’s the punishment?
- After giving a warning, the police have the power to seize a vehicle from someone who is driving carelessly, without reasonable consideration for other road users or in an annoying or upsetting way. An example of this might be performing screeching handbrake turns or ‘doughnuts’.
- A vehicle can also be seized if someone drives without permission on common land, moorland or land not forming part of a road. This includes any part of a road which is a footpath or bridleway.
- A police warning is valid for 12 months and applies to the person and the vehicle. If someone is caught driving in that way again their vehicle can be seized without any further warning.
- As well as having to pay for the recovery charge of at least £150, this is all also likely to increase an insurance premium.
InexperienceInexperience
What's The Honest Truth about being an inexperienced driver?
You'll learn a lot of new skills during your driving lessons and when you pass your test, you're on the start of a journey to being a great driver.
Like being a good athlete, you have to train to be a good driver. The more you drive, the more you'll learn. You'll learn through your own experiences, the experiences of people you know and through your mistakes (and those that other people make). The more time you spend driving, the more you can practice skills and your confidence should increase.
- Inexperienced drivers are at greater risk of collisions but by knowing what the risks are, you can take action to help reduce those risks and keep yourself (and your no claims bonus) safe.
- New drivers with almost 120 hours of learner driving experience have a 30% lower risk of crashing than those with only 50 hours.
What can you do to be a good driver?
- If you’re learning, aim for 120 hours practical practice before your test.
- Understand that even when you pass your test you’ll have a lot to learn in the months and years ahead. That’s not meant to be patronising or a reflection on your talent or skills, it’s just a fact and one that applies to everybody.
We're a Devon based road safety charity which was created in 2009 following a tragic fatal collision in South Devon that claimed the lives of three young people.
Our aim is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads which we aim to do by:
- getting everyone talking about safer journeys
- targeting all of our effort and activities at those who we know are the most vulnerable or at the greatest risk of harm
- equipping individuals with the knowledge and coping strategies they need to be safer on our roads
- working with other partnerships and organisations as part of the broader road safety effort
Our charity involves the Police, Fire and Rescue Services, Local Authorities and Approved Driving Instructors who have committed to working together to help reduce the number of young people killed and seriously injured on our roads.
We provide Approved Driving Instructors with information and tools which assist them to engage with young learner drivers about specific risks. Whilst our work has now grown, this activity is the core foundation of The Honest Truth.
We started small with an initial aim to work with 25 Approved Driving Instructors in South Devon. We now work with a number of road safety partnerships right across the United Kingdom and nearly 2000 Approved Driving Instructors (a number which is steadily growing).
We're always looking for ways to improve our work, so if you have any ideas or suggestions please contact us by email [email protected].
