Road Safety

Don't drink / use drugs and drive

Alcohol affects your ability to drive. You risk a fine of up to £5,000, a minimum 12-month driving ban and a criminal record. 

Driving while unfit through drugs (illegal, prescribed or over-the-counter) is an offence which carries the same penalty as drink driving. If you take medicine for an illness, ask the doctor or chemist about side effects before you  drive. New drug drive legislation came into force in March 2015 which includes 8 prescription drugs and makes it easier for police to catch and convict drug drivers.

To find out more visit the following websites:

• Think!  Campaigns
• Safer Roads/Morning After
• Safer Roads Drug Driving
• Morning after calculator on the Morning After website - helps you find out if you're safe to drive after a night of driving, if in doubt don't drive 

Don't drive and use your mobile phone

Research suggests that if you are using a mobile phone while driving you are four times more likely to be involved in an accident.

Other research has shown that driver’s reaction times are up to 50% slower than normal when driving and using a mobile phone and that your reaction times are 30% worse than when driving under the influence of alcohol.

It is dangerous because a telephone conversation (or texting) distracts from the mental concentration needed to drive safely. You put yourself and other road users in danger.

• Safer Roads Driving & Mobile Phones

You’re twice as likely to crash text driving as you are drink driving. You wouldn’t drink and drive. Don’t text and drive.

Watch the Department for Transport's Think Campaign video to find out the dangers of texting and driving.

Harsher penalties for texting and driving from March 2017

From 1 March 2017 the law changed, and drivers caught using handheld mobile phones will get a £200 penalty and 6 points on their licence.

A text message can wait. Ignoring the law can have life changing consequences.

New Drivers

Statistics show that new drivers are more likely to have an accident in the first two years after passing their test, due to lack of driving experience.  Drivers who have passed their test in the last 2 years who acquire 6 points on their licence, will need to re-take their test - further details can be found here.

For pre-driving training - see Drive Start courses under Events.

Winter driving check list

• Check your tyres - correct tyre pressure for your car is on Tyre Safe website 
• Make sure your windscreen and lights are clean
• Keep an ice scraper and de-icer in your car
• Pack an emergency kit including torch and batteries, warm clothes and blanket, boots, first aid kit, jump leads, mobile phone charger, and a drink, reflective warning triangle, shovel, road map, sunglasses and any medication you might need

Find out more:

• The Winter Driving postcard can found under Related Downloads for useful winter driving tips
• Safer Roads - Winter
• RoSPA - advice on vehicles
• Tyre Safe Website
• Think! website - vehicle safety checks
• Automobile Association (AA) website - tips about safe winter driving and car maintenance 
• The Home Safely on Safe Tyres campaign website highlights the importance of tyres in keeping drivers and their young passengers safe while on the roads. It also emphasises to all drivers entrusted with child care that it is their responsibility to check the condition of their car’s tyres
• The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency website

Rules for riding a motorcycle

Visit the Gov.uk website motorcycle rules to find out about the rules for riding a motorcycle.

Always wear a helmet. It could save your life.

To find out more about motorcycle helmets and the law see:

• Gov.uk website motorcycle helmet information

Ride Free: online motorcycle training to improve road safety  

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have announced the introduction of Ride Free, a free online training course which you should complete before going for Compulsory Basic Training (CBT).  The training consists of five pre-course eLearning modules.  Full details of the course and how to enrol can be found here.

Find out more

• Safer rider website - general safety advice for motorcyclists
• RoSPA website - advice for learner motorcyclists
• YouTube website never too good to be a better rider video - watch the latest Think! film

Work drivers

Driving is one of the most dangerous activities you will do in a working day. Up to a third of road accidents involve someone that is at work at the time. Ensuring the safety of people that drive for work is the responsibility of the employer but the driver must also be sure that their vehicle is safe and fit for purpose to remain safe and to stay within the law. See Driving for Better Business for advice on what to look out for before driving.

Mature drivers

Keeping up to date with modern motoring is essential to remaining safe on the roads. Taking note of an up-to-date highway code will be essential to understand modern traffic with active traffic management being just one of the things that have adapted the way we drive. With age eyesight may deteriorate and this is where it is essential to get regular eye tests in order to maintain your vision.  Age can also effect ability to judge speed and it is also necessary to check the effects of any medication you may be taking on your driving for your and other road users safety.

For more information about driver independence and the support that is available, please visit our Safer Roads website

In November 2020 the Older Drivers Forum ran three webinars to give help and support to the older motorist and their families and friends to help them carry on driving safely for longer. The webinars were part of supporting the National Road Safety Week, run by Brake as well as the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) Vulnerable road user campaign.

These three webinars can be viewed here.