Speeding Kills

Speeding can cause serious accidents, read our guide to avoiding it!

Road accidents are an unfortunate reality that must be dealt with, but there are some actions that all motorists can take to decrease the likelihood of being involved in a collision. Avoiding drink driving and drug driving should obviously top the list, and adhering to all of the speed limits set is another way to stay safe on the road.

The Facts on Speeding and Collisions

Speeding is one of the leading causes of death in roadside accidents, and there have been a variety of steps taken to make people more aware of the dangers of driving over the speed limit. The law states that motorists are only allowed to travel to a certain speed, and if they do not abide by those laws, they will be subject to strict fines and penalties.

Security Cameras put in place to Prevent Speeding

In addition, the government has also taken steps to install security cameras around essentially every corner to monitor how fast people are driving.

If a speeding camera or other type of surveillance device catches you speeding, you will incur exactly the same penalties as if you had been pulled over by the police. The advancements in technology have not necessarily quelled people’s insistence on driving above the speed limit.

People, especially young adults aged 17-25, are particularly eager to exceed the speed limits. However, the consequences for these actions can be stiff, with heavy fines being levied by governments to make more people think twice before they decide to speed.

Statistics and Figures on Speeding Related Collisions, Deaths, and Injuries

According to the THINK! Campaign statistics, over 4,000 people were seriously injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents where one party was speeding excessively. This figure shows just how important it is to abide by speed laws and to encourage others to do the same.

Pedestrians are also at grave risk when walking about around cars that are speeding. Pedestrians are 400% more likely to die if they are hit by a car that is speeding rather than a car that is well in the legal limits in relation to their speed. This percentage is staggering, and it shows just how important it is to maintain low speed levels, even when it seems like there are no obvious hazards present.

Decrease your speed when around other cars, make sure you are always aware

Speeding Hazards on the Road

Speeding poses a risk to drivers, passengers, all other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists for a number of reasons. In many ways, it is more difficult to perceive or observe dangers or hazards on the roadway while speeding. When those dangers or hazards are present, it is also much more difficult to stop the car. If you are traveling at a speed of 25 mph and a pedestrian crosses your path, you can stop much more quickly than if you are traveling at 50 mph on the same road.

By traveling at an acceptable speed, you can decrease the likelihood that you will be involved in a wreck. To ensure that you are protected, you should also stay alert and focus so that you can avoid other drivers that are speeding.

10 Tips for Teaching Safe Driving

Young drivers often speed a lot more than others, proper teaching is so important to preventing future accidents.

A good driving record is one of the surest ways to reduce your car insurance. You will get more points than a routine speeding offence plus a fine if you commit a hand-held mobile phone offence that makes you a high risk driver. A drunken driving offence will get you an 11 year endorsement on your licence.

Here are 10 tips for teaching safe driving. Contact www.carinsurancecomparison.co.uk to compare coverage from different companies, and see how low your car insurance can go with a good driving record.

1. Driving safely takes concentration and there are enough distractions without creating your own. If you need to keep your phone on while you drive, you should invest in a hands-free kit. It will cost half of the fine you will get for a hand held offence.

2. If you plan to drink, do not plan to drive. There is no way you can know what your blood alcohol level is before you get behind the wheel, and, for a driver, zero is the best level. This tip will save you money on your insurance, but it may also save your life and other innocent lives too.

3. Always check speed limits. Look for the signs on the road and stay within the limit. Many drivers think the limit is higher than it really is and are caught speeding. Speed limit signs are usually at junctions where many people change roads and limits change. Street lights on a road usually mean the speed limit is 30 mph unless otherwise posted.

Keep an eye on what your speedometer says, because you may not realize how fast you are going, especially if you are in a new car that is powerful and comfortable.

It's easy to speed and not realise it, always check your speed and make sure you are within the legal limit

4. Don’t play the blame game when driving. Any inconvenience to you seems like somebody else’s fault and will make you angry. An angry driver is a reckless driver, and you may be to blame for an accident that results. It is always best to be prepared for wrong actions from other drivers and try to keep the road safe for everyone. Statistically, drivers who take into consideration the possibility of other driver’s errors have fewer accidents. At some time, you will be grateful when your mistakes are made safe by another driver.

5. Driving in severe weather can be very dangerous, but with a little care it can be made much safer. The first rule is to stay well back from the car in front and reduce your speed if there is snow or ice on the road. It will take 10 times longer to stop on slippery roads. Leave the house earlier and give yourself extra time for your journey. This rule applies even if the roads have been treated. If you are planning to go into the countryside at the time a storm is starting, you should take an emergency kit in your car. It should contain:

• Warm clothing including boots
• A high visibility vest or jacket
• Water and food
• A torch with fresh batteries
• A spade
• A de-icer and scraper
• A mobile phone with a charged battery

6. Mirrors are a driver’s best friend and should be given a lot of attention. Experienced drivers use mirrors without thinking, because it has become a habit. Each mirror should be scanned in sequence starting with a side mirror, then the interior rear-view mirror, then the other side mirror. Along with this, the driver may glance over their shoulder to be sure there is no blind spot.

This sequence should be done every time you make a new move, change lanes or slow down. When you are ready to signal for a turn, check the mirror on the side you intend to turn first and check it again before you turn on your turning signal. A quick glance over the right shoulder is advisable when changing lanes to detect a motorbike that you missed in the mirror. Checking mirrors becomes more important the faster you go. At slower speeds it is easier to have a glance over your shoulder.

Learner drivers are new to the road, always keep an eye out for newly qualified drivers and do not speed.

7. Tailgating is dangerous because there is not enough stopping room between cars and often results in a rear-end accident. When a driver is too close to the car in front, they are tailgating and inadvertently intimidating the driver in front. The front driver may be tempted to speed up to create distance between the cars, but this is not a safe way to handle the situation.

The safest way to handle tailgating is to gradually put some distance between you and the car in back. When you need to brake, do so slowly so that your stop lights are on as much as possible. This will give the driver in the back enough warning time to slow down without hitting you.

8. Headlights are a great way to drive safely, not only in the dark but in winter drizzle, cloudy early mornings and late afternoons. Anytime visibility becomes a little limited it is a good idea to put on your dipped headlights. You may think you can see well enough and don’t need headlights, but you don’t know how well other drivers can see, and your lights will make sure they see you. Fog lights are good in the fog, but are not necessary at other times and can irritate other drivers. Rear fog lights can hide the visibility of brake lights and cause a dangerous situation.

9. The best guidelines for overtaking are if you feel it is safe, proceed with caution and if you have a doubt, don’t do it. When you want to overtake the car in front of you, take a position slightly closer to the car than usual. Without accelerating, move over the white line into the opposite lane when it is safe to do so. If you see a car coming in the distance, you can reclaim your original position without changing your braking distance from the car you want to overtake.

The most dangerous overtakes are where you cannot see a vehicle coming towards you. You have to guess if you have time to complete the overtake. If you can see the vehicle in the distance, you can make a calculation and decide if you have time for the overtake.

Never drive when tired, if you are speeding your reaction times are decreased significantly

10. Driving when you are sleepy is very dangerous for every driver on the road. Drowsy drivers will drift off the road and crash into trees, poles, signs, buildings and possible other drivers will be involved. If you feel drowsy, take action immediately. Let someone else drive, stop for food and coffee, take a rest before beginning your journey or just take a break until you feel alert. Some suggestions are:

• On a long journey, rest for 15 minutes every two hours
• If you pull over for a nap, remove the keys from the ignition and lock the doors
• Don’t begin a long trip when you are sleepy
• In an emergency, drink two cups of coffee or other high caffeine drink and wait for 15 minutes for it to take effect.

Do not rely on the radio, open windows, slapping yourself in the face or singing to keep you awake.

Safe driving is the best way to have a good driving record and that will guarantee you lower car insurance rates. On www.carinsurancecomparison.co.uk you can get comparison quotes to see how much you will save.