In one of our recent posts, we looked at the subject of ‘greener driving’.
Contributor, John Garside, Director at Focale Training in Madeley Heath, Cheshire, told us that “safe driving practice must always be observed when trying to drive fuel efficiently” because safety should always be the number one priority for drivers.
“The latest statistics regarding GB road casualties reveals that the number of road deaths in 2013 fell to 1,713; the lowest figure since national records began in 1926. Although this decline is positive,” says John, “it still means 1,713 lives lost and families devastated, so every driver has a duty to drive safely in order to save lives.”
So we asked John to share his top tips for safer driving with us too and happily he obliged – thank you John.
#1. Don’t text or speak on mobile phones
John says: “Most drivers know that they are breaking the law by texting and driving or using the phone when driving and yet they continue to do so. It is vital for road safety that drivers make a conscious decision to change their behaviour in order to driver more safely. Our advice is to turn your phone to silent when driving – even hands-free calls can affect the concentration of the driver. A split-second of inattention can be all it takes. This can be true even after the call has finished, particularly if the call brings bad news.”
#2. Don’t speed
According to John, speeding is one of the major contributory factors in road accidents, particularly on rural roads. A few miles per hour can make a big difference. Put simply, ‘speeding kills’.
Even if speeding doesn’t result in an accident, it can still have serious financial impact on a business. Fines and the resulting increased insurance costs will directly impact the bottom line. Crystal Ball’s Driver Behaviour bolt-on can play a vital role in reinforcing good habits and, consequently, directly impact business profitability.
#3. Don’t tailgate
In August 2013 police were given new powers to impose a £100 fine and three penalty points on drivers caught tailgating. Road safety charity Brake says that it is a significant cause of accidents, so ensuring you leave an appropriate gap between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you is vital for safe driving. Brake recommends all drivers to always keep at least a two-second gap between themselves and the vehicle in front, extending this to four seconds or more in wet weather or poor visibility – on all roads, not just motorways.
#4. Adapt to the conditions
As we’ve just seen weather conditions can impact safe driving guidelines significantly. John says that is also important to consider the volume of traffic, and other road conditions when making judgements about safe driving: “Whether it is fog, snow or rain, reduce your speed, ensure there is a suitable gap between you and the car in front, and raise your concentration levels. Remember: stopping distances increase by ten times in icy or snowy conditions.”
Do you agree with our list? What is the biggest threat to safe driving in your opinion?
Read more about Greener Driving Tips.
More information about Crystal Ball’s Fleet Tracker.
With special thanks to John Garside from Focale Training for his contribution.
For more information on business driver training for cars, vans and lorries contact Focale at https://www.focaletraining.co.uk/