Driving Safely

1
A briefing tool for managers
Typical Road Traffic Incidents (Not company
related) Two people were hurt, one
seriously, when their car turned over on the
B1125 near Yoxford. A man was taken to
hospital with serious injuries after a multiple
pile-up. Four vehicles were involved in the
incident. An accident on a European
Highway highlighting the potential tragic
implications when cars are involved in incidents
with larger vehicles.
Driving Safely Great Britain has one of the
best road safety records in Europe and the world.
Despite massive increases in traffic over the
last few decades, the number of people killed on
our roads has fallen from around 5,500 per year
in the mid 1980s to just over 2,500 in 2008.
However, this still means that around 7 people
die on Britains roads every day. Road Casualties
in Great Britain, 2008 Killed - 2,538 -
Seriously Injured - 26,034 - Slightly Injured -
202,333 All casualties - 230,905 Common causes of
these unnecessary tragedies include Speeding -
Over 700 people a year are killed in crashes in
which someone exceeds the speed limit or drives
too fast for the conditions. Drink Driving -
Over 450 people a year die in crashes in which
someone was over the legal drink drive limit.
Seat Belt Wearing - Nearly 400 lives each year
could be saved if everyone always wore their seat
belt. Careless Driving - Over 400 deaths a year
involve someone being careless, reckless or in a
hurry. At-work - Around one third of fatal and
serious road crashes involve someone at
work. Inexperience - Over 300 newly-qualified
drivers and their passengers are killed
THE DANGERS OF MOBILE PHONES A car driver was
talking on a mobile phone when she pulled out
from a side street, apparently not seeing the
motorcycle. The riders reaction time was not
sufficient enough to avoid this accident. The car
had two passengers and the bike rider and bike
were found INSIDE the car with them. The
Volkswagen actually flipped over from the force
of impact and landed 20 feet from where the
collision took place. All three involved (two in
the car and the bike rider) were killed instantly
This graphic demonstration was placed at a
Motorcycle Fair by the Police and Road Safety
Department. (Not company related)
This incident involved a Company Truck Mixer, the
mixer driver was blameless.
The car was travelling on the wrong side of the
road when it struck the truck mixer. Two
occupants of the car had to be cut free from the
wreckage. The car had been in a hurry because the
occupants were late for work and it had cut a
corner hitting the mixer which was coming over a
bridge. It is better to be late in this world
than early in the next
2
Driving Safely Preparation This stop and think
talk can be used individually or with a group of
people. It is probably best delivered in an
office or meeting room and is particularly aimed
at car and van drivers who are required to travel
as part of their normal work activities. It will
also be useful to anyone who drives purely for
personal reasons such as commuting or outside of
work. Introduction (After reading out the case
studies) Driving is an essential part of work for
many people and also an important part of many
lives outside of the workplace. It is probably
one of the most dangerous activities many of us
undertake and requires skill and full
concentration. Journeys need to be planned,
vehicles need to be checked and maintained and
drivers need to be fit and alert. Drivers have to
take personal responsibility for their actions or
inactions, only they can decide if a journey is
safe to undertake and only the driver can make
the decisions that will keep them and their
passengers safe.
THE TALK
Use the questions below to open the discussion
under each heading and then go through the
lists explaining in detail each hazard / control
and what is expected

• Hazards Risks
• Question 1 What are the main causes of
  fatalities when driving?
• Speeding
• Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs
• Carelessness (inattention, preoccupied, tiredness
  etc.)
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Inexperience
• Question 2 What are the Risks associated with
  Driving?
• Other traffic Try to travel outside of peak
  times
• Weather Do not travel in adverse weather where
  possible. Allow longer stopping distances in wet
  weather
• Distraction Avoid use of mobile phones when
  driving and never use one without hands free
  facility
• Driving in the dark Ensure lights are working
• Question 3 What precautions can Drivers take to
  ensure they are not speeding?
• 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

• Question 4 When are Drivers most likely to feel
  tired and potentially fall asleep at the wheel?
• on long journeys on monotonous roads, such as
  motorways
• between 200 am and 600 am
• between 200 pm and 400 pm (especially after
  eating, or drinking even one alcoholic drink)
• after having less sleep than normal
• after drinking alcohol
• if taking medicines that cause drowsiness
• on journeys home after night shifts
• Question 5 What should you do if you feel tired
  whilst driving?
• Do not try to complete the journey (you might
  never arrive)
• Find somewhere safe to stop (not the hard
  shoulder)
• Drink one or two cups of strong coffee or other
  high caffeine drinks
• Take a nap of about 15 minutes
• But remember, sleep is the only cure for
  tiredness. So, if necessary, find somewhere safe
  to stay overnight.
• Preparation
• Question 6 What precautions can
• Drivers take?

3
Driving Safely Training RecordThe people
listed below have received instruction in Driving
Safely as detailed on the previous pages. By
signing below they are confirming that they
understand the safe systems of working discussed
and will adhere to these in the workplace.
Date Name Signature Instructed by