Drug driving

Around 18% of people killed in road crashes have traces of illegal drugs in their blood, with cannabis being the most common.

Drugs can affect a driver’s behaviour in a number of different ways, which include slower reaction time and poor concentration. The effects can last for hours or even days. Driving under the influence of drugs – whether prescribed medication or illegal substances – is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. It is also against the law.

Here are just a few ways that drugs can affect your driving, which means that you aren’t able to drive safely:

• Slower reaction times
• Poor concentration
• Confused thinking
• Over confidence, so you take unnecessary risks
• Impaired co-ordination
• Erratic behaviour
• Hallucinations
• Blurred vision/enlarged pupils
• Panic attacks and paranoia
• Tremors
• Dizziness

The police can carry out roadside swab tests to help them decide whether to arrest you if they think you are unfit to drive through drugs. The penalties are the same as for drink driving. You could face a minimum one-year driving ban, a fine of up to £5,000 and six months imprisonment.

If you need further information and advice about the effects of drugs, visit the Talk to Frank website.

Don’t Drive Tired

One in five road accidents on motorways and other monotonous roads are caused by someone falling asleep at the wheel, mostly involving running off the road or into the back of another vehicle. Sleep-related crashes are particularly dangerous and likely to result in serious injury because the driver won’t have woken in time to brake before impact.

You may find yourself fighting sleep in a warm car by winding down the window or turning up the radio, but you might still nod off for a couple of seconds. If you are doing 70mph on a motorway, you will have travelled an eighth of a mile in that time.

Body clock

Your body clock winds down at certain times, so driving between midnight and 6am, or 2pm to 4pm is particularly risky. Men under 30 are most likely to fall asleep at the wheel, especially in the early hours of the morning. Motorists need to be aware of the risks of driving for too long or when they are tired and should plan their journey so they don’t reach that stage.

Top Tips

• Plan your journey to include a 15-minute break every two hours.
• Find a safe place to stop if you feel drowsy – not the hard shoulder.
• Drink two cups of coffee or a high-caffeine drink, then take a short nap to allow the caffeine to kick in.
• Don’t start a long trip if you are already tired.
• Remember the risks if you have to get up unusually early to start a long drive.
• Try to avoid long trips between midnight and 6am when you are likely to feel sleepy anyway.

Speed limits

The speed limit for any road is the maximum speed a vehicle should be travelling at. You should always drive safely and appropriately within the speed limit at all times.

30mph zones

All urban roads in this country are subject to a 30mph speed limit unless there are signs to tell you a higher or lower limit applies. If you cannot see a sign on an urban road, you must always assume that the speed limit is 30mph. If there are streetlights along the road, again the speed limit is usually 30mph unless signs tell you differently. Visit the Department for Transport website for further information.

*If not articulated or towing the maximum speed is 70mph

Walking

For many people, walking is their main transport for journeys under a mile. It is a healthy option and can be enjoyable and fun. Some people use their walking time as ‘me time’. It is recommended that adults do 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity physical activity at least five times a week. Walking or cycling your short daily trips could achieve this target and give you a range of health benefits.

However, you still need to keep yourself safe whilst walking around the region.

Top tips

• Wear comfortable clothing and flat, well-fitting shoes. You may want to keep a “posh” pair of shoes at work to change into and wear a pair of trainers to walk in.
• Ensure the route you use is well lit and well used at the times you are walking. Consider starting a walking group with people from work or from your neighbourhood.
• Stay on the footpaths if there is one provided.
• Use pedestrian crossings where possible – they are provided for your safety.
• Brighten yourself up – consider wearing bright coloured reflective clothes or carry a reflective bag. It may not be fashionable, but it helps drivers to spot you on dark nights.
• Don’t use headphones whilst walking – be alert and listen out for traffic while crossing the road.
• Don’t use your mobile phone – texting or talking on the phone draws your attention away from walking. You risk bumping into other pedestrians or obstacles and risk being involved in a crash when crossing the road.
• On rural roads without footpaths, walk facing the oncoming traffic, in single file.
• Closely supervise any children or pets walking with you.
• Ensure that children understand that roads can be dangerous places and that they need to keep close to adults.
• In warmer weather, remember to take a drink with you and drink from it regularly.
• Be sure to get advice from your doctor before increasing your exercise if you haven’t done any for a while or if you have a medical history that is a cause for concern.
• Do build your walking up gradually if you haven’t been active for a while. Build up the distance and walking pace over time.
• Expect the unexpected! Don’t automatically think that a driver has seen you.

Motorcycling

Anyone who rides a motorcycle or scooter knows that they can be the fastest way from A to B. Riding them is also exhilarating and the word is getting around – more and more people are taking up motorcycling. But with traffic conditions these days, it is more important than ever that you can deal with the unexpected.

If you are already good, make yourself better. The best motorcyclists ride defensively so they are less likely to have accidents. We all meet idiots on the roads and motorcyclists are vulnerable to their mistakes. Those with good defensive skills ride like they expect to meet one every second. They are in control, so they enjoy more relaxed riding.

Make sure you:

• Anticipate the actions of motorists.
• Are alert and observant this is important when you are negotiating junctions or roundabouts and when you need to look out for other vulnerable road users – children, pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
• Ride at a speed that will enable you to slow down and stop in good time. The unexpected can happen. And ride according to the conditions: slow down if it is wet, foggy or icy.
• Position yourself in the best place, usually the middle of the lane. But take up your road position in good time before turning right or left, showing others what you aim to do.
• Overtake safely. Can you see hazards? Is there a bend or a junction? Can you overtake without speeding up or swerving too much?
• Take a ‘lifesaver’ glance over your shoulder before carrying out manoeuvres when you need to know where other drivers are and what they are doing.
• Are seen. Dipped headlights, even in good daylight, can help you to be seen.
• Sometimes drivers will wind you up. But if you act aggressively you may have to pay the penalty. Count to 10 and congratulate yourself on your cool-headedness. And however tempted you are, don’t race on public roads. Save it for the race track.

Motorcycle safety checklist

• Helmet: Your most important piece of kit. Make sure the fit is snug and the helmet is in good condition. Keep the visor clean, carry a can of spray cleaner and a duster. If it is scratched, replace it. Check out the SHARP website which gives ratings of a wide range of helmet types, at a range of different prices.
• Clothing: You need boots, trousers, gloves and a jacket to keep you dry, warm and, should the worse happen, safe. These need to be made and designed for the purpose. You will get hot in the summer, but do not be tempted to ride without any of these items. Your local dealer will give you plenty of friendly help and advice.
• Tyres: Check air pressure and tread before every ride. Also check your tyres for potential dangers like nails.
• Fluids: Check fuel, oil, brake fluid and coolant (where applicable).
• Lights: Check brake lights, indicators, head and tail lights.
• Group Riding: Requires skill and practice to be done safely and must be done in a lawful manner. Set a suitable pace for the least experienced rider in the group. Develop a system which allows the group to stay together. Arrange frequent places to stop and get together to check everyone is OK. If someone in your group drives dangerously and puts the group or themselves at risk, tell them. It is no point wishing you had when it has all gone wrong.