Test Your Driving Skills: Drivesafeessex.co.uk

Seatbelts Optional?

Fact, you are twice as likely to die in a crash if you don’t wear a seatbelt than wearing a seat belt. In 2007 nearly 300 lives would almost certainly have been saved if everyone in the car had been wearing a belt. Roughly, that's one life a day!

For this reason, by law you must wear a seatbelt in cars and goods vehicles where one is fitted.

There are very few exceptions to this and you can read about them in more detail here. Drivers are liable to prosecution if a child under 14 years does not wear a seat belt or child restraint as required. ¹

¹ Essex police

Dead ringer

All phone calls distract from driving. Research shows that using a mobile phone while driving means you are four times more likely to crash.

It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving. The automatic penalty is £60 and 3 penalty points. You can also be prosecuted for using a handsfree phone or similar device if you are distracted and not in proper control of the vehicle.

You should switch off your phone whilst driving and check your messages when you arrive at your destination.

Callers also play an important role. If you call or text someone on their mobile phone who turns out to be driving when they answer, say you'll contact them later and hang up. ²

² Department for Transport, Think!

Intoxicating drive

Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. There is no foolproof way of drinking and staying under the limit, or of knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely. The only safe option is not to drink alcohol if you plan to drive, and never offer an alcoholic drink to someone else who is intending to drive. ³

If convicted drink driving you could; have a criminal record, be banned from driving for at least a year, be fined up to £5,000, face up to six months in prison, lose your job and see your insurance costs increase. ⁴

³ Department for Transport, Think!

⁴ Essex Police

Intoxicating Drive

Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. There is no foolproof way of drinking and staying under the limit, or of knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely. The only safe option is not to drink alcohol if you plan to drive, and never offer an alcoholic drink to someone else who is intending to drive. ⁵

If convicted drink driving you could; have a criminal record, be banned from driving for at least a year, be fined up to £5,000, face up to six months in prison, lose your job and see your insurance costs increase. ⁶

⁵ Department for Transport, Think!

⁶ Essex Police

Street Spirit

Young riders rank amongst the highest in road crash statistics. If you want to ride a moped or scooter on the road you must complete a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course to validate your provisional licence. You can also undertake additional training to improve your skills.

Always wear a helmet and protective gear, even if you're planning to travel only a short distance.

Remember it is important to make yourself visible to other road users Buy the best gear you can afford and make certain that it fits properly. Dealers can show you how to ensure you're getting a helmet that fits correctly, so that your head is protected in case of a crash. ⁷

⁷ Essex Casualty Reduction Board

Make a lasting impact?

Remember, a speed limit is exactly that, a limit - not a target. Drive at a speed appropriate to the conditions of the road, and consider other road users.

In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads. This is because your tyres have less grip on the road.

When driving in icy or snowy weather keep well back from the road user in front as stopping distances can be ten times greater than on dry roads. ⁸

⁸ Directgov