22/01/2019
Our roads are relatively dangerous places.
According to Department of Transport statistics, there were 1,770 deaths attributable to road traffic accidents in the UK (JUL17-JUN18) and a further 24,840 people seriously injured. The number slightly injured was recorded as 138,490.
So, as I said, our roads are relatively dangerous places.
Our driving behaviour is therefore something that has consequences.
There are some driving offences that we see every day on our roads. These are offences that, for some reason, a large number of people think they have the right to commit. That the individual traffics laws only apply to others.
These offences lead to accidents. They also lead to frustration on the part of other motorists, which leads to mistakes, which leads to more accidents.
Attitudes towards certain motoring crimes has changed. Drink driving used to be commonplace, especially in villages and outlying areas. However, the last 30 years have seen major changes in the way people view drunk drivers. They are now, rightly, viewed as pariahs.
There are other motoring crimes that also need to be stopped in their tracks.
Hand Held Devices
The use of hand held mobile phones is an obvious distraction when driving. It has effectively been illegal since the introduction of such technology; albeit reliant on existing laws such a 'driving without due care and attention' or 'reckless driving'. In recent years, the laws have become more explicit and the publicity of the risks related to using hand held devices whilst driving have become well known.
This doesn't seem to have brought an end to this activity.
I have lost count of the number of times I have witnessed erratic driving by people who are using hand held mobiles. I have frequently, whilst walking or (on one occasion) watching from my hospital room, taken photos of those drivers flagrantly breaking the law and risking lives.
The danger posed by people who are distracted by using a hand held phone (or other device) whilst driving is significant. It is essential that people begin to understand just how dangerous it is and that we bring a stop to this type of dangerous driving.
I should point out that there is absolutely no excuse. The technology we have to allow for completely hands free communication is extremely advanced. When I got my first mobile phone (brick) in 1990, I paid a significant amount of money to have a hands free system installed in my car. Since that time, I have added professionally installed car kits in all my cars, unless they had systems already installed.
All distractions are obviously a concern when driving. However, the use of hand held mobile devices has been shown to be a significantly detrimental to road safety. It is time that our tolerance for people using such distracting equipment is reduced to zero!
Traffic Lights
Our roads have seen a great increase in the number of traffic lights used to control traffic flows. This has included the addition of traffic lights to many larger roundabouts, along with increased use on other roads.
The staggering thing is, just how frequently people choose to ignore the instructions given by the traffic lights. Almost every time I find myself stationery at traffic lights, especially on roundabouts, I witness drivers jumping red lights.
There have been times when I have comfortably come to a stop for a red traffic light, only for a car behind me to switch lane and go through the red light.
I have been sat at red traffic lights and seen the lights for the oncoming traffic go orange, stay orange, then go red, with cars, vans, lorries and buses driving through when they had plenty of time to come to a controlled stop without affecting their passengers or loads. Our light has gone green and yet you are still having to watch for the 'jumpers' before you pull away.
This issue appears to be so rife, that the only answer is to add camera technology to all traffic lights. The initial cost would no doubt be recovered within a month or two by way of the fines levied against transgressors.
The result would hopefully be a more harmonious approach to traffic lights and a reduction in road rage.
Lane Discipline
Lane discipline on our dual carriageways and motorways is terrible.
Too many drivers see the 'inside lane' as a forbidden zone; somewhere they shouldn't drive into. The truth, of course, is that we should all spend time in the left hand lane; only venturing into the middle and outside lanes when there is a need to overtake.
Proper lane discipline could greatly improve the safety of our major roads, whilst also making a huge difference to the smooth flow of traffic. The penalties for lane hogging need to increased and vigorously enforced. It is staggering how many taxi drivers and coach drivers seem to think that the rules do not apply to them. It is also worth asking why so many motorists ignore the left hand lane of a four lane motorway. Aside from the rare cases of a 'crawler lane', or junctions that stipulate specific lanes, motorists are always required to use the left hand lane unless they are overtaking. Poor lane discipline causes traffic delays and is also a cause of unnecessary braking, which in turn causes phantom traffic jams as a result of the ripple effect.
Tailgating
Another serious issue on our roads is tailgating.
'Only a fool breaks the two second rule'. This is the guide to following the car in front at a safe distance that has long been advised by police forces and motoring organisations. It should be obvious that this doesn't allow for a huge margin in the reaction time the driver has. So, when you see vehicles traveling closer together you do have to wonder about the mindset of the tailgater.
If the driver of the vehicle in front takes their foot off the accelerator, the driver behind may well not realise the danger until it is too late. The collision may then be unavoidable. Tailgating regularly leads to needless use of the brakes on motorways and dual carriageways, again leading to phantom traffic jams.
It is worth remembering that the 'rule' from the quote is for when road conditions are good. If there is a frost, snow, or if roads are wet, this time should be increased significantly. The same should apply to drivers of lorries, buses and those towing trailers.
Road Conditions
Talking of road conditions, drivers need to pay close attention to the road conditions and any factors that may affect visibility. Stopping distances are obviously affected by the road conditions, but rain, snow and fog can also severely reduce visibility, giving motorists less time to react to things they come across.
Quite obviously, it is important for drivers to slow down significantly in such conditions.
For example, if conditions are so foggy as to require the use of fog lights you really should be cutting your speed by at least 20-30mph on motorways and dual carriageways. Fog lights are not supposed to be used in conditions other than fog; so shouldn't be used for rain or snow, and visibility needs to be below 100 yds before you should consider their use. If you can see the normal tail lights of the cars in the 100 yds ahead of you, you clearly have no need to switch on your rear fog lights. Front fog lights should only be used where there is difficulty in seeing the road ahead or the headlights of oncoming cars due to heavy fog.
Basically, a bit of common sense is called for when driving a car on public roads.
Comments