Category: IAM RoadSmart

1. IAM response to increase in road casualties

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 27th Sep 2012

   Today’s Department for Transport statistics confirm that 1,901 people were killed in road accidents in 2011, an increase of three per cent on 2010 figures.  

   23,122 people were seriously injured, an increase of two per cent on 2010 figures.   The numbers for fatalities for bus and coach occupants fell by 22 per cent, 10 per cent for motorcyclists and four per cent for cyclists.  

   Fatalities for car occupants rose by six per cent and for pedestrians by 12 per cent.   The provisional estimated number of people killed in drink-drive accidents increased by 30 to 280. 

   The provisional number of killed and seriously injured because of drink driving rose by five per cent to 1570.  

   Drink driving accounts for more than half of the increase in road deaths.  Of the increase in the number of people killed on our roads (51), 30 can be attributed to drink driving.  

   Failing to look properly was the most significant contributory factor, reported in 42 per cent of all accidents.  

   IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig said: “The increase in deaths and serious injuries because of drink driving is absolutely shocking.  It accounts for more than half of the increase in road deaths.  In 2013, we must see a drink driving education campaign, backed up with enforcement, to put an end to these completely unnecessary deaths.  “With last year’s surprising increase in deaths and early indications from 2012 that a trend could be developing, the IAM urges the new road safety minister to make road safety his absolute priority. Britain has been at the top of the world road safety league, but a combination of public spending cuts and lack of central targets may be putting this in jeopardy. The 2011 figures show that saving lives on our roads can never be taken for granted and with human error still the top cause of crashes, education and training must take centre stage in the future.”  

   www.iam.org.uk

2. Drive safely in severe rain

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 25th Sep 2012

   Road safety charity the IAM is offering driving advice in response to the current severe weather warnings for heavy rain and wind.  

   • Before you set off, set your heater controls – rain makes the windows mist up in seconds. You don’t want to be fiddling with controls when you should be concentrating on the road.

   • Slow down. In the rain your stopping distance should be at least doubled. Giving yourself more space helps you to avoid spray, especially when following a large vehicle.

   • Keep your eyes on the road ahead and plan your driving so that you can brake, accelerate and steer smoothly – harsh manoeuvres will unbalance the car.

   • Strong winds can also unsettle your car and even change your direction of travel. Grip your steering wheel firmly and be aware of the effects of the elements on other road users, particularly motorcyclists and flat-sided vehicles.

   • If you have cruise control, avoid using it on wet roads – it may create problems if you start to aquaplane.

   • See and be seen. Put your lights on – as a rule of thumb, whenever you need to use your wipers you should also turn your headlights on, and before overtaking put your wipers on their fastest setting. In cases of severe flooding, you should reconsider making the journey at all. If it is unavoidable, and you have to drive through deep water, the IAM recommends drivers take the following precautions:  

   • Drive on the highest section of the road and don't set off if a vehicle is approaching you

   • Leave time and space to avoid swamping other cars and pedestrians  

   • If you can’t see where you are going to come out of the water, such as when approaching flooding on a bend, think twice about starting to drive into it  

   • In deep water never take your foot off the accelerator, as this could allow water to travel up the exhaust pipe

   • Once you're out of the water, dry the brakes before you need them. The best way is to lightly apply the brake as you drive along for a few seconds, after checking nothing is following you too closely.  

   Rodger said: "A suddenly very wet road surface increases the chances of slipping when braking or steering, which is a problem not just for motorists, but cyclists and motorcyclists too.  When driving in wet conditions remember that stopping distances will increase, and visibility will be reduced. Drop your speed and give yourself more time to slow down."

   www.iam.org.uk

3. Motorists divided on CO2 incentives

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 4th Sep 2012

   Nearly half of motorists (48 per cent) say they would not consider a more eco-friendly vehicle if Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) tax breaks were increased according to a poll by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists)1. Fifty per cent think that it is fair that VED on cars is based on the CO2 it produces.
    
   Thirty-two per cent think parking permit prices should be based on the size or length of the vehicle (the more space it takes up, the more you pay). While twenty-nine per cent think everyone should pay the same. Only five per cent of respondents felt that the CO2 emissions the vehicle produces should influence permit costs.
    
   Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are slightly more popular.  LEZs were introduced in London in 2008 to reduce pollution from heavy diesel vehicles.  Forty-six per cent of drivers think they that they should be introduced for private vehicles, 41 per cent disagree. 
    
   Twenty-two per cent of motorists think that driving has no impact on global warming.  This is in line with other surveys that show 7 per cent of people think global warming is not happening and seventeen per cent believes it is panic about an exaggerated threat.2
    
   IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Eco-friendly vehicles haven’t got the appeal so much so motorists are willing to pay higher costs in VED to compromise. Motorists aren’t fully convinced of how low CO2 emissions are beneficial to them, or society.”
    
   “While more can be done to increase awareness about the benefits of eco cars, drivers can do their bit by changing to green driving to help reduce CO2. Looking ahead and anticipating hazards will mean less stopping and starting and a smoother journey.”
    
   IAM eco driving tips:
    • Keep your vehicle moving for as long as possible, even in traffic queues. This is far more fuel efficient than stopping and starting, so slow down earlier, to avoid braking as harshly and often.
   • Stick to the speed limit. This offers a good compromise between economy and getting somewhere. Remember, speed limits are a maximum, not a target.
   • Reverse into parking bays. If you do all the manoeuvring with a hot engine you can drive straight off when you come back and warm the engine up more quickly.
   • Check your vehicle regularly to ensure it operates efficiently. In particular check the condition of your tyres, and measure tyre pressures when they’re cold.
   • Remove unnecessary weight, including roof racks, car clutter and heavy items in the boot. The more weight you carry in the car, the more fuel you’ll burn.

   www.iam.org.uk

4. Motorists like cameras but many still don’t trust them

   Posted on 12:01am Wednesday 29th Aug 2012

   Eighty-two per cent of people now think it is acceptable for authorities to use speed cameras, however 45 per cent think that raising income is still a main reason for their use, according to the results of the IAM’s annual speed camera survey.
    
   Speed awareness courses are also popular – 72 per cent of people think that speed awareness courses are a good idea.
    
   The results show that people think speed cameras are beneficial to road safety. Eighty-five per cent of people think that speed cameras have helped to contribute to the fall in road deaths since 1990s.
    
   The results for the home nations vary:
    • Speed cameras are least popular in Wales where 32 per cent of people think their use is not acceptable.  The survey also shows that Wales has the highest rate of people caught speeding – In the last three years 27 per cent of people were caught speeding or knew someone in the household who was caught speeding.
    • In contrast, cameras are most popular in Scotland where only 15 per cent think they are unacceptable. Only 14 per cent of Scottish were caught speeding or knew someone in the household who was.
    • In England, 19 per cent of people were convicted or knew someone in their household who was caught speeding in the last three years. 20 per cent think their use is not acceptable.
    
   Generally, people find that speed cameras are more acceptable than five years ago. In 2007, 30 per cent of respondents said speed cameras were not acceptable, a figure which has reduced every year to 16 per cent this year.
    
   IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “Simply catching and fining drivers does not change drivers’ awareness of the hazards of excessive speed. The popularity of speed awareness courses show that the public think training is the best option.
    
   “Speed cameras are an essential part of the policing toolkit and are becoming more and more accepted, but it’s clear that some people need reassuring about their purpose and funding.”

   www.iam.org.uk

5. IAM comment on Q1 road casualty stats

   Posted on 10:47am Monday 20th Aug 2012

   IAM chief executive Simon Best said:  “It is unacceptable that road deaths and serious injuries have risen for children, pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists.  

   “Cutting road safety education, scrapping casualty targets and cuts in council spending all suggest this isn’t a major priority. The government  needs to show much greater leadership on road safety. Last year’s increase in people killed was a serious warning, but this could be the start of a trend. More must be done to get drivers to look out for vulnerable road users. We must have changes to the driving test, greater enforcement and incentives for driver training.”   The latest Department for Transport road casualty statistics give the first set of figures for this year, covering January – March 2012. They show some worrying trends for vulnerable road users.

   •The number of cyclist casualties rose by 10 per cent from 3,775 to 4,160.
   •Cyclists killed or seriously injured increased by 13 per cent compared to the same period last year. 700 cyclists were killed or seriously injured compared to 621.
   •Motorcyclists killed or seriously injured increased by 8 per cent from 1,024 to 1,110. The number of overall motorcyclist casualties rose by 7 per cent from 3,946 to 4,240 (Jan-March 2011, compared with Jan-March 2012). •The number of children killed or seriously injured in road accidents rose by 9 per cent from 522 to 570.
   •The number of children killed or seriously injured as pedestrians increased from 360 to 410, a rise of 14 per cent. 

   Over the same period (Jan-March 2011, compared with Jan-March 2012):  
   •Car users Killed or seriously injured dropped by 4 per cent, from 2,227 to 2,140. The number of overall casualties among car users also dropped by 4 per cent, from 29,627 down to 28,420.
   •The total number of road casualties decreased by 2 per cent from 47,235 to 46,270.
   •However, the number of road users killed or seriously injured rose by 4 per cent from 47,235 to 46,270 – suggesting that increases in KSIs for vulnerable road users is having an impact on the overall KSI figure.

   www.iam.org.uk