The Fatal Four

Across the Service we deliver road safety messages to a range of ages through the theme of ‘The Fatal Four’ causes of road traffic incidents:

The speed limit is not a target to achieve. Many country roads are national speed limit but that does not mean you must travel at 60 mph whilst on them. Remember,  you don’t have to be travelling fast to cause a serious incident! 

Approximately two-thirds of all crashes in which someone is killed or seriously injured happen on roads where the speed limit is 30mph or less. From a driver’s perspective a collision at 30mph can have the same effect on your body as falling from the top of a four-story building.   

Phones are often the main focus when it comes to distractions when driving but even something as small as changing your music, interacting with built in touch screens or talking to mates in the car whilst driving can cause a serious accident.

If you receive a text or call that requires a response, find a safe place to pull over and park, turn the car engine off. Only then is it safe to go on your phone!

Don’t be tempted to give into peer pressure from friends when driving and if you feel unsafe driving with them in the car, pull over and tell them to get out.    

Drink driving 

Whilst you can have a certain level of alcohol in your blood and still be legally under the limit, it’s always better to have ‘none’ instead of ‘one’ for the road.  

Blood alcohol levels can vary a lot depending on age, gender, weight, food/water consumption, time and ethnicity. Whilst your friend might be able to drink a pint and still legally drive this doesn’t mean you will be able to as well. The safe number of units to drive on is always zero.

Drug driving

Being under the influence of drugs whilst driving is something that has been on the rise in the 17-24 age group.

You should never drive under the influence of any illegal substances! If you have been prescribed medication from the doctor, always check that you can still legally drive whilst on that prescription. Many anti-depressants can cause drowsiness so always be sure you feel in a fit state before getting behind the wheel.   

 Morning-After drinking 

If you plan on going out with friends and know that you’ll be driving the next day, you need to consider that alcohol can be detected with a breathalyser in your system for up to 24 hours after your last drink.

Just because you have slept it off and had some food and water, this does not mean you are under the legal limit to drive.

If you’ve been drinking the night before, you can use the free morning after calculator to work out when it’s safe for you to drive again.