Road Safety Week will be taking place between 15-21 November 2021 and the theme this year is ‘Road Safety Heroes’. Right Fuel Card is supporting the celebration of professionals who make the roads safer for everyone, for example, ambulance services and school crossing patrols. Road safety professionals work hard to reduce casualties and provide care for those affected by crashes. However, everyone can play a part to help make our roads safer and that is what Road Safety Week hopes to achieve.
As winter approaches, it is even more important to ensure that drivers remain vigilant on the roads to ensure the safety of themselves and others. More than 1.3 million people die on roads every year and so it’s essential that drivers seek to improve road safety through driving at appropriate speeds and being vigilant of changing road conditions.
About Brake, the road safety charity
Road Safety Week is coordinated annually by Brake, a registered national charity campaigning for road safety and helping victims of road crashes. They hope to achieve Vision Zero, a scenario where there are zero road deaths and injuries and people can travel in ways that are safe, sustainable, healthy and fair.
Ross Moorlock, COO of Brake says: “Road Safety Week provides a unique opportunity, every year, to focus attention on how the safety of our roads impacts all our daily lives. Everyone can be a road safety hero. Road Safety Week 2021 celebrates the professionals who are working to make roads safer for everyone – from designing safer roads to caring for people after a crash. It also enables everyone who uses roads to understand how they can take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. There is still plenty of time to sign up and register for the week and I would encourage you all to do.”
Making driving for business safer
The European Transport Safety Council estimates that business drivers account for 40% of road deaths across Europe.
It’s known that drivers are susceptible to fatigue during long journeys, particularly when travelling overnight or on the motorway with collisions involving HGVs often being the ones to hit the headlines. Each year drowsy driving causes 100,000 police-reported crashes and over 1,500 deaths so it’s important to remain vigilant and alert to help reduce the risk of a collision. If you begin to feel tired whilst driving, it is recommended by Think! that if you feel tired whilst driving you should find a safe place to stop, have a caffeinated drink and rest until you feel capable of safely continuing your journey.
Additionally, HGV drivers in particular need to be aware of their vehicle’s dimensions, especially height, to ensure that they can navigate the roads safely. According to Network Rail, there are more than 2,000 bridge strikes every year in Britain so it’s important to consider any potential overhead restrictions when planning a journey.
Essential checks before every journey
Before embarking on a journey, there are a number of recommended checks from Global Fleet Champions to ensure both the vehicle and driver are safe to drive. These vital checks will help to minimise the risk of a collision on the roads, resulting in safe and healthy mobility.
Vehicle Checks – FLOWER Checks
F = Fuel – enough for your journey
L = Lights – headlights, brake lights, indicators
O = Oil – check oil levels when engine is cold
W = Water – lubricants, coolant, washer fluid
E = Electrics – ensure battery is present and secure
R = Rubber – tyre pressure, uneven wear, side wall pressure, tread
Driver Checks – IM SAFE
I = Illness – am I well today?
M = Medication – have I taken anything that may impair driving?
S = Sleep – am I well-rested and alert?
A = Alcohol – have I taken alcohol or drugs?
F = Fitness – have I had my eyes tested? Are my stress levels ok?
E = Energy – Am I well hydrated? Have I had something to eat?
 | David JamesDavid has worked in the fuel card industry since 2008. His financial insights have been featured in various publications, such as The Sun, the Daily Express and The Yorkshire Times where he provides money-saving tips for motorists. David is passionate about charity work and regularly raises money through running events, including the London Marathon and the Leeds Abbey Dash. |
