The ‘I’m a good driver’ trap  

Some of the worst ‘speeding’ I’ve seen has been by drivers of cars sporting regalia from ‘better driving’ organisations – Advanced Drivers! Information made available in 2007 showed that 1000’s of UK police drivers were caught by speed cameras – some of these highly trained drivers crashed. Safety is not just about driving skill; it’s more to do with driving attitude.

The ‘good driver’ trap installs beliefs that cause people to think they are infallible. But the problem is that impact kills good drivers too.

Advanced driver training courses will often teach ‘expert’ handling skills, the ability to ‘balance’ the car and reduce the risk of skidding, to smooth out gear changes, to brake on the ‘threshold’ thus gaining the maximum stopping effect, etcetera. But these skills are only safe when used in a safe environment.

It’s possible that you are a good driver – perhaps the best – but the problem is you are sharing the road with a whole load of lesser skilled drivers. If you drive too fast, you might be able to stop – but will they?

Take you good driving skills to a racetrack and enjoy a few real adrenalin packed laps in an appropriate environment.

Police survey

Northumbrian Safety Camera Partnership has published a list of some the excuses offered by drivers who have been caught by their speed cameras. They said that people for some reason believe that they will be excused their fine if their behaviour is explained by a wild story. They have compiled a list of their favourite excuses.

• I passed out after seeing flashing lights, which I believed to be UFO’s in the distance. The flash of the camera brought me round from my trance.
• I was in the airport’s flight path and I believe the camera was triggered by a jet overhead, not my car.
• I had a severe bout of diarrhoea and had to speed to a public toilet.
• There was a strong wind behind my car that pushed me over the limit.
• I had to rush my dying hamster to the vet
• I did not see the camera
• My friend had just chopped his fingers off and I was rushing the fingers to hospital.
• The vibrations from the surfboard I had on the roof rack set off the camera.
• There was a suspected case of foot and mouth and I had to rush to see the cow concerned.
• A violent sneeze caused a chain reaction where my foot pushed down harder on the accelerator.
• The only way I could demonstrate my faulty clutch was to accelerate madly.
• My foot slipped on the accelerator
• My brakes did not respond as I approached the camera

There are lots of ‘speed traps’ – traps that we set for ourselves by skewing our attitudes towards the way we drive. There are undoubtedly more than I will ever think of myself, excuses, delusions and fantasies, but I’ve listed a few more on the following pages.

What is a safe speed?

Undoubtedly, if you are involved in an accident, the higher your speed the more likely you are to kill or be killed, a controversial road safety campaign carried the message ‘the higher the speed the bigger the mess’. However, it is not the speed that kills you – it’s the sudden reduction of speed or transference of energy on impact that kills. 

So, with the information above in mind, maybe the safety slogans should perhaps read: Impact Kills.

So how do we square this idea with a notion of safe speed? Elsewhere on this web site you will find information about the importance of keeping a safe space around your vehicle. This space is determined by the prevailing conditions and must be great enough for the vehicle to stop safely in the event of easily foreseeable or unexpected occurrences.

Given this information we can now argue that: Impact Due To Insufficient Space Kills

Because the space around the vehicle can, for the most part, be controlled by the driver the next logical argument for our slogan is that: Impact, Due To Insufficient Space, Caused By The Actions of The Driver, Kills

OK – it’s getting a bit wordy for a slogan! But ultimately speed and space are the two variables that you can control and that when controlled properly will keep you, and those around you, alive at any speed. At Experience Driving we don’t condone breaking speed limits but there are roads in the UK where 150mph would be safe in certain conditions – the road or the speed does not control safety – the driver controls it.

So, how much space?  

You can kill a toddler at speeds as low as a few miles per hour. Whatever your speed you need to anticipate likely happenings and leave enough space to cope. Most accidents happen in built up areas – That is why they have the lowest speed limits: lots of traffic, not much space. In built up areas there are also a lot of soft targets (literally). These ‘targets’ are called pedestrians.

A speed of two or three miles per hour can kill a pedestrian so what do you now understand the term ‘Speed Kills’ to mean?

Perhaps one of the biggest speed traps is that which leads drivers into thinking that they pose no danger when they are driving slowly.

Speed – The real speed traps!

If the posters are to be believed, ‘Speed Kills’ (or in Welsh ‘Mae cyflymder yn lladd’!). But are they leading us into a false sense of security?

How many people would still be alive to day if the message was ‘Any Speed can Kill’… Because the truth is that you could kill at 2mph as easily as at 90mph if you are inattentive or careless.

And how many people would think twice if the message paced their reality on the road – Speed Thrills, but it also Kills?

Are you a victim of the ‘speed kills’ speed trap?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that your speed is safe based simply upon what you can see or because you are driving within the speed limit, but is that enough?

A basic rule of defensive driving certainly tells us to keep within the limits and consider what we can see, but also what we can’t see and what might reasonably be expected to happen.

Raise your awareness now by reading the information above and then start driving at a safe speed – regardless of whether it’s fast or slow.

Discontent over roads policing

The RAC Report on Motoring reveals many motorists in 21st century Britain think there is little risk of being caught breaking the law at the wheel. 

Motorists are not just frustrated by the lack of police presence on Britain’s roads – they now believe there is little chance of law-breakers being caught and prosecuted.

The RAC Report on Motoring 2014 reveals many motorists in 21st century Britain think there is little risk of being caught breaking the law at the wheel.

Two in five drivers (40%) believe anyone committing common offences such as texting at the wheel of either a moving or stationary vehicle, aggressive driving, tailgating, middle lane hogging on the motorway or undertaking would more than likely get away with it.

Half of motorists (51%) think it is unlikely drivers will ever get picked up for texting while stopped in traffic. In fact, only 18% believe motorists are likely to be taken to task with 22% uncertain as to whether they will.

Only three in 10 motorists (29%) think drivers will get into trouble for texting on the move while 42% think it is unlikely. For the new offences of tailgating and middle lane hogging only about a quarter (24%) and one in five (22%) respectively think motorists are likely to be pulled up by a traffic police officer.

RAC technical director David Bizley said: “Our research shows that millions of law-abiding motorists are frustrated with the reduction of traffic police and believe that the chances of drivers being pulled up for breaking the law are now minimal.

“Motorists are tired of constantly seeing other drivers breaking the law and getting away with it so it is hardly surprising that they want to see a greater police presence on our roads to enforce motoring legislation more effectively, which would also act as a genuine deterrent.”

Top 10 hazards of driving in summer

There’s nothing quite like a cruise around the countryside, or even abroad on holiday. Here are 10 things to look out for when driving at home or away this season

Take great care when overtaking and look out for warning signs

Summer driving is one of life’s great pleasures – there’s nothing like cruising along with the sun glinting off your shades.

Unfortunately even warm, dry roads are full of hazards.

Be aware of these, however, and your sunny days on the road will be a blast.

1. Bicycles and horses

The AA advises that you leave ‘at least a metre’ when passing bicycles.

Horses are more of a risk, but they have the same rights to the road as cars.

The government’s ‘THINK!’ campaign says to pass slow and wide, with no loud noises.

2. More motorcycles

Double check at junctions, as these are black spots – despite bikers being 38 times more likely to die, being hit by a bike can still be deadly.

In a side impact causing a change in speed over 40mph, says ROSPA, a belted driver has an 85% chance of death.

3. Rain after a dry spell

A 2003 study on over a million US road crashes found that the more it rained, the fewer the fatal accidents.

Rain after a dry spell leaves roads slick, it takes a few days for the dust, oil and diesel to wash away.

After three dry weeks, the risk of a fatal crash is 10% higher than if it rained all along.

4. More teenagers

Holidays mean more teenagers on the roads, and according to road safety charity brake.org, car crashes are the biggest single killer of UK youth.

One in five new drivers has a crash within six months, and men aged 17-20 are seven times more at risk than any other group.

5. Kids in the street

In 2010, 180 people died in crashes at legal speeds.

The most recent study found that only 5% of pedestrian deaths came from 20mph roads, while 85% of the cars that killed were doing between 30 and 40mph.

The message? Good weather means children playing outside, and it’s not always safe to do 30mph.

6. Harassed holidaymakers

One American study looked at the effects of distraction, and found that on average drivers took their eye off the ball once every six minutes.

Distractions included phone calls, food, drinks, grooming, smoking and children.

Astonishingly, 40% of those studied started reading or writing.

7. Vegetation

You can’t see over the hedges, it’s black under the trees and the leaves are crowding into the road.

Visibility, despite clear blue skies, is bad.

8. Tractors

Tractors don’t need brake lights or indicators, and they’re loud.

The driver may not know you’re even there – and you may not see the field it’s about to turn into.

Take great care overtaking.

9. Deer in the road

Deer are most active in the summer around sunrise and in the darkness before midnight.

Known crossing places have warning signs.

10. Breakdowns

Lovely weather means more breakdowns, as raggedy cars go on long hot trips.

Look for leaking hoses, low water levels and broken fans before leaving, and watch for breakdowns blocking the road.

What parents need to know about learner drivers: four key tips!

 Learner drivers and parents are often thrown in the deep end when it comes to teaching their kids to drive! As part of a unique approach to improving young driver road safety, I asked learners what they want parents to know about teaching or learning them to drive. The following take-home messages emerged.

1. Before you get in the car

Even though learner drivers have to revise and pass a theory test, double-check that they know the road rules before you get on the road i.e. Who gives way at a T-junction when there is no signage?

Double-check that they know which pedal does what. It may be hilarious to talk about slamming on the brake instead of using the accelerator after the event, but this could mean the difference between life and death when you are on the road.

Before starting your first lesson check that your learner knows about all of the ancillary controls or where the spare tyre is stored? Surprisingly, many young drivers with a provisional licence still do not know there is a spare tyre hidden somewhere in the car or how to check the fluid levels for the vehicle. 

Warn them about the driving behaviour they will encounter. Learners are freaked out when other drivers don’t indicate or tailgate their vehicle.

Learners have a “bull’s-eye” on their car – the RED L-plate – and they are taught they must follow all the road rules. This is tricky when they see other older and more experienced drivers doing the wrong thing every time they venture on the road.

To these other drivers, think about what you are doing. Do you want to be involved in a crash with a learner? Making mistakes is a normal part of learning and if you are tailgating them, you are likely to be caught up in any mistakes like ‘stalling’, leave a safe gap at all times!

Learners and parents want and need you to give them some space. 

Make sure you have a back-up plan for when one (or both of you) freaks out. There will be freak-outs.

The best idea is to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so, turn off the engine and get out of the car if it is safe and one or both of you really feel you need to do so. Chat about what happened, and how to prevent it happening again. If your learner is too freaked out to drive, you take over the driving.

2. Communication

You need to have clear communication, both verbal and non-verbal. It can be tricky, when you have been Mum or Dad for 16 years, and now you are an instructor and supervisor. This is a very different communication dynamic.

Even from the driver’s seat, learners can tell when you roll your eyes. Teenagers also tend to be acutely attuned to non-verbal communication, such as sighing, sudden intakes of breath and sarcasm.

You may feel compelled to yell and slam your foot on the imaginary brake. This may be good for your mental health! However, this can generate a range of risky responses in your learner: they could think you are hilarious (and maybe try to freak you out again); they could yell back (which means they may not be paying attention to the road); or they could freeze mid-traffic.

Also ensure only there is only one supervisor at a time! If both parents are in the car, only one of you gets to be the supervisor. More than one supervisor is just too confusing and too stressful.

If there are two parents in the car, make sure one of them shuts up!

 3. How are they going to drive in future?

Think about how they are going to drive when they have their driving licence.

Drive those routes now. Drive that vehicle now. Give them practice in those situations now, when you can be there to help detect and respond to hazards.

Start talking about planning ahead now. When they have their driving licence, what are some options if something goes wrong and they can’t or shouldn’t be driving? Can they call you, take a cab, or stay over with another member of the family or a trusted friend?

4. Where and when they drive now

Start simple. Look for quiet roads like industrial areas on a weekend, large streets, no traffic lights and no roundabouts. Gradually introduce these features as the learner gains experience and confidence.

Traffic lights look very straightforward to the experienced driver but think about how complex they really are and how alien they may seem to a new driver!

Learners need more time to take everything on board. Sometimes they may drive through red lights simply because they do not know where to look or what to look for.

Roundabouts can be very scary, particularly multi-lane roundabouts. Wait until your learner has gained experience and confidence, and then practice using roundabouts outside peak hours if you can. Drivers of all ages can have trouble on roundabouts, so take your time.

Remember to let learners have a voice, listen to them, have patience and talk through any issues and keep the conversation going.

An alternative is to trust in a good driving instructor, give us a call here at Experience Driving and let us help you!

Smartphones are blamed as death toll jumps by 13 per cent 

The number of deaths on the roads has risen alarmingly this year – with experts warning that the use of smartphones could be to blame.

There were 380 road deaths in the first three months of 2014 – 13 per cent more than in the January to March period last year.

But when the number killed is added the number seriously injured – to create the official Whitehall casualty measure – there were 5,500 incidents in the first quarter of this year, a rise of 17 per cent.

The casualty figures are higher among so-called ‘vulnerable’ road users on two wheels or on foot. Motoring groups said there were ‘questions to be answered’.

Experts were last night asking whether issues such as mobile phone use and texting by drivers and pedestrians failing to look where they are going were contributory factors.

They also said there were signs of increasing conflicts between cyclists and motorists sharing congested road space.

The latest official estimates for January to March 2014 show that the number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured rose by 16 per cent to 1,460.

Cyclist fatalities and serious injuries increased 27 per cent to 690, while the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured rose by 20 per cent to 950.

The figure for car occupants rose by 15 per cent to 2,160, while among children under 16 there was a 17 per cent to 500.

The number of child pedestrians killed or seriously injured rose by 9 per cent to 350.

Whitehall experts said the big rise could partly be explained by the severe weather at the start of 2013, which kept many vehicles, and pedestrians, off the roads.

March 2013 was the coldest March for 50 years which was reflected in the ‘comparatively low’ road casualty figures – including 336 deaths for the first three months of last year.

They argued that a more meaningful comparison is the fatality figure for the first three months of 2012, which at 414, is higher than the estimated figure for the same period this year.March 2013 was the coldest March for 50 years, which was reflected in the ‘comparatively low’ road casualty figures – including 336 deaths for the first three months of last year.

Also, the fatality figure for the first three months of 2011 was as high as 445.

RAC technical director David Bizley said the weather had an impact, but added: ‘Mobile phone use has been a problem for some time and there’s not been enough action to tackle it. Using a hand-held phone or texting while driving must be made socially unacceptable.’

The AA’s Paul Watters said this year’s figures were ‘very disappointing’, adding: ‘We hope this is no more than a temporary blip to the long-term progress the UK is making in reducing road deaths and injuries.’

Transport minister Robert Goodwill said the number of deaths last year was the lowest since records began in 1926, but added: ‘However, one road death is one too many, which is why we continue to work to tackle dangerous driving and make our roads safer for everyone.’

Related Stories: Jail for phone killer – Police warn drivers

Stealth cameras on the way…

Speed cameras to catch motorists driving in excess of 70mph are to be installed along motorways for the first time.

So-called stealth cameras – which may be grey rather than bright yellow – will be placed on stretches of some of the busiest routes, including the M1, M6 and M25.

Previously, motorway speed cameras have been situated mainly on stretches undergoing roadworks, in order to enforce variable speed limits for safety reasons.

Some ‘safety camera partnerships’ have also placed them in vans parked on bridges above the carriageway.

Speed cameras to catch motorists driving in excess of 70mph are to be installed along hundreds of miles of motorway for the first time.

New so-called ‘stealth cameras’ – which may be grey rather than bright yellow – will be placed on stretches of some of the most important motorways including the M1, M6 and M25.

Previously, motorway speed cameras have mainly been situated on stretches undergoing roadworks, in order to enforce variable speed limits for safety reasons.

Some ‘safety camera partnerships’ have also placed them in vans, which are parked on bridges above the motorway.

The Highways Agency is looking at the widespread introduction of cameras to target drivers exceeding the maximum allowed speed of 70mph.

Read the full story in the Daily Mail

No overtaking!

OK only the first one is a legal requirement. If you overtake where you see this sign you can be prosecuted for not obeying the sign.

However, all the other signs suggest that overtaking might be dangerous – in the event of an accident the presence of a road sign could be used by the prosecution where a charge of dangerous or careless driving was being brought.

Do you know all the signs? If not download a free book from the Directgov web site by clicking here.

Remember…

We don’t live in an ideal world, effective journey planning will help to ease frustration and reduce your need to overtake, choose a safe overtaking location, remember the two P’s, and make sure that you are ‘quick and stable’.

Understanding ‘Hang-back’. 

Hang-back is the name given to the road position that you should adopt prior to making your final commitment to overtake. This position will provide a good ‘zone of vision’ which will in turn assist your planning for the overtake.

The hang-back position (2) is substantially closer to the vehicle in front than a normal safe following position (1) – it will normally approximate to your thinking distance.

This position eliminates the need to close up a lot of space immediately prior to overtaking and enables the manoeuvre to be completed quicker and over a shorter distance. You must, however, compensate for the lack of separation distance by increasing your forward vision.

While ‘hanging back’, you may need to adjust your road position to the right or left in order to maximise forward vision, for example, if the road curves to the left ahead you may get a better view by moving to the left and looking beyond the ‘target’ to the nearside.

The hang-back position should not be adopted indefinitely. Driving in this position places increased stress levels on the drivers of both the overtaking vehicle and the target vehicle.

If an overtaking opportunity does not seem to be likely in the short term, a normal two-second following distance must be re-established.