Fire Service warns against the seven deadly driving sins

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is urging motorists to be saints not sinners behind the wheel.
Fire & Rescue East Sussex SUS-150522-132511001Fire & Rescue East Sussex SUS-150522-132511001
Fire & Rescue East Sussex SUS-150522-132511001

The call comes ahead of the Chief Fire Officers Association’s national Road Safety Week (June 8-14).

Inclusion & Partnership Coordinator at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service David Kemp said, “When we look at what causes the majority of road traffic collisions in our area, we see a pattern emerge. They are often linked to carelessness, not paying attention or speeding. Whether young or old, we want people to get behind a wheel, recognising the damage that can be caused by this sort of behaviour.”

The Seven Deadly Driving Sins

Facts and figures from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership revealing the number of collisions between January 2014 and January 2015.Facts and figures from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership revealing the number of collisions between January 2014 and January 2015.
Facts and figures from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership revealing the number of collisions between January 2014 and January 2015.

Impatience: Slow down – it’s a speed limit not a target

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carelessness: Make sure you look and look again when out and about on the roads

Selfishness: Respect other people – whether on two wheels, four wheels or four legs

Tailgating: Back off and keep your distance so you can stop in an emergency

Recklessness: If you want to use your phone pull over and stop – never text and drive

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tiredness: Feeling tired? Delay your journey or pull over for a rest

Stupidity: There is no excuse for drinking and driving – or taking drugs and driving

Road Safety Week

The Chief Fire Officers Association’s Road Safety Week is focusing on the issue of young driver distraction. Road collisions are still the leading cause of death for young adults between 15 and 19. Young people are still disproportionately at risk on the roads and they are most at risk when they first start to drive.

Inexperienced drivers and distraction is a lethal cocktail.

You may think you’re used to multi-tasking: but texting and using the internet while you’re watching TV isn’t the same as doing so while you’re behind the wheel. Your reaction times are 50% slower while talking on a phone, and you’re four times more likely to crash if you use a mobile while driving.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Distracted driving isn’t just dangerous for you – it puts your passengers, other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians at risk too.

Whether you’re younger or older, using a mobile phone, texting, using in-vehicle technologies (such as satnavs) and even eating can distract you from the road. Even if it’s just for a few seconds – that’s all it takes to have or cause a crash.

Please remember:

• There’s no safe way to use a phone whilst driving – turn it off or put it on silent, and put it out of reach.

• Be a safe passenger – let the driver focus on the road.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

• Just drive – eating, drinking and smoking whilst driving reduces your reaction time.

• Set your satnav or your sound system before you drive. If you need to adjust them, pull over in a safe place.

Related topics: