Can I Prevent an Accident?

Accident Prevention

Have you ever given thought to how safe your driving is? I am sure your answer is 'No',
unless you have been unfortunate enough to have been involved in a road traffic accident.
Many people don't think about safety and road awareness and that is one of the reasons
why there are so many 'preventable' accidents on the roads today. I always considered
myself to be a 'good driver', until I trained to be a ADI (Approved Driving Instructor).

It's the Simple Things That Matter

Quite often it is simple things that people do not do that are the of cause many accidents.
For example you should:

• Use the handbrake when vehicle is stationary leaving a safe gap between your vehicle and the vehicle in front. Make sure you can see a small section of the road in front when you pull up behind another vehicle. This prevents you from rolling in to the vehicle infront and reduces the risk of damage if shunted from behind
• Use the mirrors more frequently. Check them before moving off and stopping, changing lane, making a turn or carrying out a manouvre.
• Drive in the correct position in the road. Do not drive to close to the kerb or the centre line.  When turning take care not to cut corners or take them too wide.
• Travel a safe distance behind the vehicle in front.  Use the two second rule as a guide.  As the vehicle in front passes a stationary object e.g a lampost, try and count for two seconds before you reach it, if you count for less than two seconds you are travelling too close.  Also when travelling behind a large vehicle,the driver will not know you are behind unless YOU can see the vehicles door mirrors.
• Adjust your speed to the road conditions. Just because the speed limit is 30mph
  it does not necessarily mean that it is safe to travel at that speed.
• Never use a mobile phone whilst driving.

Next time you drive your car try to follow these simple rules and reduce YOUR risk of having an accident,you never know they could save your life or somebody elses!

Emma Webb ADI.  January 2008

Emma lives in Greater Manchester, and has been an ADI since 2005.  Emma is enthusiastic to further her skills, and as such is currently undertaking her Fleet Driver qualification.