Five ways motorists can improve road safety today

Written by: Abaranji Sivakumar, Last updated:14th February 2022

Credit: sestovic/iStock

Everyone likes to think they’re a safe driver – and in most cases, they are – but there’s always room for improvement and scrubbing up on the basics.

That’s why road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist has issued a quick list of driving tips that will reduce risk on our daily journeys.

It came ahead of Project EDWARD (the European Day Without a Road Death), which took place on September 19th and saw road safety organisations from across Europe come together to push the message of safer driving.

Neil Worth, road safety officer at GEM Motoring Assist – one of the founding sponsors of Project EDWARD in 2016 – believes there is still so much more that can be done to make roads safer in the UK and Europe.

“In spite of significant concerted effort among road safety professionals, politicians and policy makers, the sad truth is that there are still around 70 deaths on Europe’s roads every day,” he said.

“For every person dying, there are up to 50 who suffer serious, life-changing injuries in a road traffic collision.”

If every road user committed to making small changes, the road safety improvements would be huge, added Mr Worth.

GEM’s five driver safety tips:

Always wear a seatbelt
Even on the shortest journeys and ensure everyone in the car with you belts up too.
Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of death by 45 per cent for drivers and front seat occupants, halving the risk of serious injury too.

Always be aware of the speed limits and stick to them
Inappropriate speed accounts for nearly a quarter of collisions which result in death.

Get an eye test
Good eyesight is essential for safe driving, so if you haven’t had your eyes checked in the past 12 months, book a professional test.

Stay alert throughout your journey
Stick dangerous distractions such as mobile phones in the glovebox and take regular breaks on long journeys.

Spare a thought for others
Be courteous and hold back if it might help another driver, a cyclist, pedestrian or other road user. If your good turn isn’t acknowledged, don’t take it personally.

Jez Strong, general manager for Tele-Gence, commented: “These are all sound safety tips. Another way to improve road safety is to introduce telematics.”

Your business can benefit from affordable telematics with no hidden start-up fees or long-term commitments. Find out how at www.tele-gence.com

Credit: sestovic/iStock

 

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