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365 Alive - Think Safety

How fast are you

Could you react fast enough if the unexpected happened?

Driving at a slower speed gives you those couple of extra moments to lessen the impact or even avoid a collision, meaning that the couple of extra moments could help protect you and other road users.

You don't have to be driving over the speed limit to be driving too fast. If you are driving at an inappropriate speed on a road you may end up:

  • approaching junction or bend too fast
  • overtaking where it’s unsuitable
  • or be unable to negotiate narrow roads properly.  

Did you know that car drivers and passengers are 3 times more likely to die on a rural road than a busy street?  "The national speed limit applies on the majority of rural roads and most drivers do not exceed it.  The problem is driving too fast for the conditions." (Think!)

Poor weather conditions and driving at night have an affect on what is an appropriate speed, if it is raining or icy we all need extra braking time and driving at a lower speed helps to give you that time.

Speed limits on roads are set as a maximum and not a target. Below are examples of situations where you should drive at lower speeds than the limit:

  • around schools at opening and closing times
  • when children are about (especially residential areas, near playgrounds or parks)
  • on busy, narrow roads
  • where parked vehicles reduce the width of the road
  • on rural roads which are narrow, bendy and hilly and visibility is restricted
  • in poor weather or reduced visibility
  • on wet, icy or snowy roads
  • in roadworks.

Many of us unintentionally exceed the speed limit, often without realising it. Cars are more powerful and comfortable and give us little sensation of their speed. It is so easy to creep above the limit without meaning to.

We are all responsible for the speeds at which we choose to drive at.  Below are a few tips if you find it difficult to stay within the speed limit:

  • check your speedometer regularly, especially when leaving high speed roads
  • know the limits – look for signs, especially at junctions
  • assume lamp posts mean 30 mph, until signs say otherwise, but remember it could be 20 mph
  • remember, speed limits are a maximum, not a target
  • 20’s plenty when kids are about – and may even be too fast
  • recognise what makes you speed - keeping up with traffic, overtaking or being tailgated
  • concentrate – distracted drivers speed
  • slow down when entering villages
  • give yourself time – there’s no need to speed and you won’t get there quicker

Following the advice below for our tips on driving in the cold snap.

Plan your journey

  • Check the local and national weather forecasts.
  • Listen to local and national radio for travel information.
  • Tell someone at your destination what time you expect to arrive.
  • Make sure you are equipped with warm clothes, food and boots and a torch. In snowy conditions, take a spade.
  • Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out and carry a screen scraper and de-icer.
  • Clear the roof of your car of large amount of snow.

If you get into trouble

  • Do not use a mobile phone while driving. Stop somewhere safe or ask a passenger to make the call.
  • On a motorway, it is best to use a roadside emergency telephone, because the breakdown/emergency services will be able to locate you easily. If you have a mobile phone, make sure you give them the number of the closest marker post to you on the hard shoulder.
  • Abandoned vehicles can hold up rescue vehicles and snow ploughs. To ensure that the road is cleared as quickly as possible, stay with your vehicle until help arrives.
  • If you have to leave your vehicle to get help, make sure other drivers can see you.

When roads are icy or slushy 

  • It can take ten times longer to stop in icy conditions that on a dry road. Drive slowly, allowing extra room to slow down and stop.
  • Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin.
  • Manoeuvre gently, avoiding harsh braking and acceleration.
  • To brake on ice or snow without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal, allow your speed to fall and use the brake pedal gently.
  • If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator, but do not brake suddenly.

Please have a safe journey.

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