Top News Stories
New Year Call for Safer Driving
By Driving Standards Agency (North West) News Release
Jan 5, 2009, 11:24

* Make road safety your New Year's resolution

* Call to cut road deaths

* Top tips for safer driving

Motorists are being urged to make safer driving one of their New Year's Resolutions for 2009.

The Driving Standards Agency's Director for Safer Driving, Trevor Wedge, is asking all drivers to help reduce the numbers dying on British roads.

"There have been some significant achievements during the last few years in bringing road deaths down. Yet in 2007 almost 3,000 people still died on UK roads" says Trevor, who is also DSA's Chief Driving Examiner.

"Let's all make sure that driving in a safe and considerate way is one New Year's Resolution that nobody breaks."

Below are several tips for safer driving, which could also help save fuel and reduce vehicle emissions:

* Plan your journey and route; give yourself plenty of time and for long journeys make sure that you have regular breaks.

* While driving plan well ahead. Be aware of what is going on in the distance as well as around you, so you are able to anticipate what's going to happen on the road.

* Reduce your speed and keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front.

* Avoid harsh acceleration and heavy braking. Drive at a speed which is safe for the conditions.

* Ensure your vehicle is prepared for wintry weather - check the condition of the lights and tyres, and make sure the windows are clean and clear.

Trevor Wedge adds: "The strapline of the DSA is Safe Driving for Life - if we want to avoid becoming a statistic ourselves, shouldn't we all consider adopting this philosophy?"

There was a constant fall from 2003-2007 in those killed in road accidents. However despite this trend, 2,946 people still died due to such accidents in 2007.