Safety Information

Driving safety promotion is one of The Survive Group's prime objectives. The Survive Group places a high emphasis on making the motorway and high speed dual carriageway network as safe as possible. Guidance has been produced if you need to stop on the hard shoulder, driving behaviour, and safe driving;

Driver Location Signs are being added to the motorway network to help drivers to give accurate locations to recovery organisations and the emergency services if they are unfortunate enough to breakdown. A Hard Shoulder Leaflet has been developed to provide guidance on how to ensure you and your family are safe if you breakdown on a motorway.

The Highways Agency has produced guidance on Safer Driving through Roadworks and there are a suite of videos which look at some of the Worst Driving Behaviours on motorways and how to minimise the risk. 

To ensure your journey is as safe as possible The Survive Group recommends you read the relevant following guidance before starting your trip.  

Motorway Driving Tips

Motorways have a far better accident record than any other part of our national road system. But every year we see crashes on the motorway that could have been prevented.

By sticking to a few simple motorway rules all drivers can ensure that they don't contribute to behaviour which could be termed 'motorway madness'.

• Make sure that your car is well maintained, has sufficient fuel and oil, has correct tyre pressures and tyres are in good condition (including spare).
• Observe the speed limit.
• Remember that concentration and frequent use of mirrors are doubly important on motorways because of higher traffic volumes.
• Take extra care when approaching intersections where traffic is joining the motorway.
• Obey motorway signals. These warn of dangers ahead, for example an accident, broken down vehicle, poor weather conditions, flooding, slippery road surface etc.
• Be prepared to anticipate the unexpected actions of other drivers.
• Keep your distance. On a dry road and in good weather conditions leave at least a two second gap between your vehicle and the one in front.
• On wet, slippery roads, or in poor visibility leave at least a four second gap. Switch on dipped headlights when visibility is reduced.
• Use your mirrors and observe lane discipline. Always use the left hand lane where possible. Remember lanes two and three are not the 'middle lane' or 'fast lane', these are overtaking lanes and should be used as such. Always indicate when changing lanes.
• Overtake or pass only on the right unless traffic is moving in queues and the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are. Never move into a lane on your left to overtake and never use the hard shoulder to overtake.
• Take special care when joining a motorway. You must give way to motorway traffic. Beware of the 'blindspot' factor.
• Take care in foggy conditions. Slow down. Use your lights. Keep a sensible distance. In very bad fog open your window slightly and turn off the radio so that you can hear other vehicles.
• Take regular breaks at service areas, but never on the hard shoulder - if you feel sleepy, get off the motorway at the first opportunity.
• Take particular care at roadworks and when approaching them. Reduce your speed and obey warning signs.

General Winter Driving Advice

Winter motoring requires special care and a little preparation if you're to avoid a breakdown or accident.

Battery/electrics

• Lights, heaters and windscreen wipers put high demands on the car battery. If the car is driven mainly in dark rush-hour trips, the battery will give out eventually.
• Batteries rarely last longer than five years, so replacing them near the end of their life can save a lot of time and inconvenience at the side of the road when they finally fizzle out.
• Avoid running car electrics any longer than necessary - turn the heater fan down and switch the heated rear window off once windows are clear.
• If the car stands idle most of the weekend a regular overnight trickle charge is a good idea to give the battery a chance to revive.
• When you're starting up the car ensure that non-essentials like lights, rear screen heater and wipers are turned off.
• Use the starter in short five-second bursts if the engine doesn't start quickly, leaving thirty seconds between attempts to allow the battery to recover.

Antifreeze

• Antifreeze costs only a few pounds, but a cracked engine block will cost hundreds of pounds to repair.
• The majority of modern cars use long-life antifreeze, and it is absolutely essential that you don't mix these with other types as this can cause a sludge to form in the engine. If you're not sure what type of antifreeze is in your car, take it to a dealer.
• Traditional glycol-based antifreeze should be changed at least every two years.
• A 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water in the cooling system is needed in winter. This gives maximum protection down to -34° centigrade, and without it, severe engine damage costing hundreds of pounds can occur.
• If the fan belt squeals continually as soon as the engine is started, that is a sign the water pump is frozen. The cylinder block could be frozen too. Stop the engine immediately and allow it to thaw out. This may take several days unless you can get the car moved to a heated garage.
• Most commonly, it is just the radiator that freezes. The car will begin to overheat within a few miles of home, as the coolant is unable to circulate. Stop the car immediately and allow the radiator to thaw.

Vision

• Through the winter months dazzle from the low sun can be a particular problem.
• Improve vision significantly by making sure that the windscreen is clean - inside and out. Scratches, abrasion and chips on the outside can also worsen the dazzling effect of the sun.
• Use air conditioning for faster demisting and to reduce condensation on cold windows.
• Keep the windscreen and other windows clear - if your vision is obscured through dirt, snow or even sticker-infested car windows you could face a hefty fine.
• Check windscreen wipers and replace if necessary.
• Make sure that wipers are switched off in the park position when leaving the car, when there's risk of freezing. If you don't and the blades freeze to the screen, you could damage the blades or wiper motor when you turn the ignition on.
• Windscreen washer fluid should be topped up and treated with a proprietary additive to reduce the chance of freezing in frosty weather. Don't use ordinary engine antifreeze as it will damage paintwork.
• Clear snow from the roof as well as from windows. Snow piled up on the roof can fall onto the windscreen obscuring your view and can also be a hazard to other road users.

Visibility

• Check that all bulbs are working and that headlights are clean and aimed correctly.
• You must use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced. You may also use front or rear fog lights but these must be switched off when visibility improves as they can dazzle other road users and obscure your brake lights.
• Keep the number plates clean too, as you can be fined if they are dirty and illegible.

Tyres

• Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth. At least 3mm of tread is recommended for winter motoring, and certainly no less than 2mm.
• Don't reduce tyre pressures to get more grip - it doesn't work, and reduces stability.
• Check you have a working jack and wheel brace, and that you know how to change a wheel if necessary.
• It's rare to need snow chains unless you live in an isolated area hit with heavy snow, and where the roads are not cleared. They must be removed to drive on a metalled road without a reasonable covering of snow.
• Buy snow chains from a specialist supplier to ensure that they're right for your vehicle, and practice fitting them in good dry conditions.
• Consider changing to winter or all season tyres - these have a higher silicone content in the tread which prevents it hardening at lower temperatures, and therefore gives better grip in cold wet conditions.

Driving in snow and ice

• Stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow.
• Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving.
• Wear comfortable, dry shoes: cumbersome, snow-covered boots will slip on the pedals.
• Select second gear when pulling away, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.
• Try to maintain a constant speed, choosing the most suitable gear in advance to avoid having to change down while climbing a hill.
• When driving downhill, choose third or fourth gear to prevent skidding.
• Always apply brakes gently. Release them and de-clutch if the car skids.
• If you have an automatic, then under normal driving conditions (motorways, etc) it's best to select 'Drive' and let the gearbox do the work throughout the full gear range. In slippery, snowy conditions you can make driving much safer by selecting '2', which limits the gear changes and also makes you less reliant on the brakes. Many modern autos have a 'Winter' mode which locks out first gear to reduce the risk of wheel spin. Check the handbook if you're not sure.
• If you do get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip. Once on the move again, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.

Stopping on the Hard Shoulder

It is dangerous to stop on a hard shoulder except in an emergency. If an emergency forces you to stop, then follow the top five personal safety tips to stay safe:

• Pull onto the hard shoulder and park as far left as possible; near an emergency roadside telephone if you can. Turn on your vehicles hazard warning lights.
• Leave your vehicle immediately via the left hand door. Make sure your passengers do the same. You should leave any animals in the vehicle, or keep them under proper control on the verge.
• Contact the Highways Agency via the emergency roadside telephone. Always use this in preference to a mobile phone, as your location will be pinpointed on the operator's screen so it will be easier to find you. On the motorways, wou will see these spaced at one mile intervals, with roadside parkers displaying an arrow pointing you in the direction of the nearest phone.
• Wait well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder for help to arrive. You should never attempt even the simplest of repairs.
• If you feel at risk from another person, return to your vehicle via the left hand door, fasten your seatbelt and lock all the doors. Leave your vehicle again as soon as you feel the risk has passed.

If you have a disability which prevents you from following the above advice, the Highway Code advises that you should stay in the vehicle, switch on your hazard warning lights and display a "help" pennant. If you have a mobile phone you should dial 999 and advise the emergency services of your location.

Floods and Standing Water

• Do not drive unless your journey is absolutely necessary.
• Take spare dry clothing, food, a flask of hot drink and if you have a mobile phone make sure you have the telephone number for contacting the emergency services.
• If you have to drive in a flooded area take care. Only drive through water if you know how deep it is. Many vehicles require only two feet of water before they float.
• If you have to drive through a flood try to drive in the highest section of the road if it is safe to do so.
• Drive slowly and steadily to avoid creating a bow wave.
• Driving fast through standing water is dangerous - tyres lose contact with the road and you lose steering control in what's known as 'aquaplaning'. Watch out for standing water, trying to avoid it if you can, and adjust your speed to the conditions. If you do experience aquaplaning, hold the steering wheel lightly and lift off the throttle until the tyres regain grip.
• Driving fast through standing water can cause expensive damage - the air intake on many cars is low down at the front of the engine bay and it only takes a small quantity of water sucked into the engine to cause serious damage. All engines are affected but turbo-charged and diesel engines are most vulnerable.
• Do not drive through flood water if a vehicle is travelling in the opposite direction.
• Don't try driving through fast-moving water, such as at a flooded bridge approach - your car could easily be swept away.
• As you drive slowly through standing water keep the engine revving by slipping the clutch, otherwise water in the exhaust could stall the engine.
• Test your brakes thoroughly after leaving the flood water.

Driving In Summer

Not preparing your car for summer motoring could increase the risk of an inconvenient upset such as a breakdown. With this in mind, this information has been compiled to help you in the preparation of your vehicle for the summer months.

• Check your vehicle is regularly serviced, consult your service book. It can be all too easy to overlook the correct service date.
• Check the operation of all exterior lights to ensure they comply to any legal requirements. All headlights and indicator lenses must be free from any damage such as cracks or missing glass or plastic. Remember to keep the lights clean.
• Check front and rear wiper blades for wear or splitting. Do check windscreen washers making sure that they are adjusted correctly. Screen wash additive is also recommended.
• Ensure all dashboard warning lights operate correctly. If not, consult your owner's handbook or call your local dealer.
• Check oil and water levels. Ensure they are topped up correctly. Pay particular attention to the electric fan.
• Inspect your battery electrolyte level topping this up with distilled water if necessary. Do check the battery connections ensuring that they are tight and free from any corrosion. Do not forget that battery acid is highly corrosive to skin and paint work.
• Make sure the fan belt is of the correct tension and in good condition, adjust or replace as required. Ensure ignition key is removed from the vehicle before checking.
• Tyre condition should be checked, (inc. the spare) for tyre pressure and legal tread depth.
• Inspect the jack and wheel brace making sure you are confident about their use. If locking wheel nuts are fitted, ensure locking key is safely stowed away in the car. It may be useful to practise changing the spare wheel, following instructions from your owner's handbook).
• Inspect car keys for wear and condition. Replace if necessary. Remember, a worn key will quickly wear out a lock barrel causing the lock to jam. Make sure you have a spare set of keys for your car in a safe place. This also applies to alarm fobs. It is worth noting that batteries in the fob will also require replacement at least twice a year, to maintain operating performance.