A car is a large, and potentially dangerous piece of machinery. If you’re driving one, then you have a legal and moral responsibility to do so in a way that’s safe. For the most part, this means developing the right habits.
Adhere to Speed Limits
First and most obviously, it’s vital that you lower your speed. The faster you’re travelling, the more difficult it will be to bring the car to a stop – and the more severe the impact of any collision will be.
In most areas of the UK, this means keeping to thirty miles per hour in built-up areas. In some areas, however (most notably large parts of Wales), this limit is reduced to a more stringent twenty miles per hour.
It’s vital that you adjust your speed to match the conditions on the road. When the surface has been made slippery by rainfall, or ice, your stopping distances will increase enormously.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance
We’ve already mentioned the importance of stopping distances. If the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops, then you’ll need to give yourself enough time to react. On average, it takes around 250ms for the mind to register an event – and that’s not including the time it takes for you to actually apply the brakes and bring the car to a halt.
The Highway Code suggests that motorists leave a two-second gap between their vehicle and the one in front. If you have a front and rear dash-cam installed, then you’ll be able to prove that you did this, in the event of a collision. This will help you to assign (and avoid) blame in a courtroom.
Avoid Mobile Phone Use While Driving
Distracted driving is a significant source of risk on the road. And the most potent source of distraction is a mobile phone. If you’re looking at the display on your mobile device, then you won’t be able to react to what’s on the road. Even hands-free use can make a measurable difference.
If you’re caught using your mobile while driving, you could get six points on your license, or be handed a substantial fine. So, don’t do it.
Never Drive Under the Influence
For much the same reason, you should never use alcohol or drugs before getting behind the wheel. These substances will impair your judgment and reaction time. There are different blood alcohol limits in different parts of the country. It’s 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood in Scotland, and 80 everywhere else. For the avoidance of risk, it’s better to stick to zero alcohol.
Always Wear a Seat Belt
In the UK, wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement. This is the case because it’s hugely effective in preventing injury, in the event of a crash. While there are a few people exempted from this rule, for the vast majority of us, there’s no excuse.
