How to stay safe on the road

It’s your responsibility Whether you’re a driver or passenger, you are responsible for your own personal safety This means: ensuring vehicles are roadworthy using seat belts and other safety equipment properly making sure the driver is fit to drive driving with care and attention helping the driver wherever you can

There are 9 deaths everyday on UK roads 1 in 2 drivers on company business are involved in a collision every year Safety is not just about drivers – passengers are responsible too Know the risks and stay safe Driving a vehicle is the single most dangerous thing we do at work. 95% of all collisions are caused by human error Every day nine people die on UK roads and 90 are seriously injured

Safety is our No.1 priority Network Rail is committed to the welfare of those who drive to work and those who drive as part of their job Network Rail has developed a driver coaching scheme individual driver assessments training online learning

Make sure you’re switched on the minute you get into the vehicle Get enough sleep if you’re driving the next day Don’t miss breakfast Stay focused Remember, it’s not just your welfare that you’re responsible for Be prepared for all types of weather

Tiredness and well-being It’s obvious, but make sure the driver takes these precautions: regular breaks. Don’t fight it, stop! extra care if you are sleeping badly share the driving Everyone in the car is responsible don’t lark around or distract the driver only ever use a hands-free kit to make or take a call only take a call if it’s absolutely necessary Smoking is not permitted in company vehicles 300 people a year are killed because someone has fallen asleep at the wheel Make sure the driver takes these precautions: take a 15 minute break every two hours tell your manager if you are sleeping badly (because of a new baby, stress etc.) share the driving with a colleague drink strong coffee or another high caffeine drink be aware – if you are fighting it, find a safe place for a break turning up the radio or winding down the window doesn’t work if you’re too tired to drive Use of mobile phones Under no circumstances can drivers use their mobile phones Using your mobile phone as a passenger is distracting to the driver

Use the safety equipment Many neck injuries can be avoided if drivers and passengers adjust their head restraints properly Wear your seat belt, front and back Ensure all passengers are belted-up too It’s the drivers responsibility to make sure they follow the rules 20% of rear impact crashes result in neck injuries The top of the restraint should be level with the top of your head It should be no more than two inches from the back of your head Front seat belts save more than 2,500 lives a year A crash at 30mph can result in unbuckled rear seat passengers hurtling forwards with a force of 30-60 times their body weight This kills around 40 front seat passengers every year

The limit is a limit, not a target 30mph in a 30 zone may be too fast! Manage your speed according to the weather and road conditions. Stay within the speed limits Keep your speed down around schools and residential areas In rural areas, match your speed to the road conditions

P Park right Everyone in the vehicle is responsible for its safety, including passengers Reverse park as it is safer always guide the driver back from outside the vehicle. This simple act will reduce the likelihood of an accident Slow down at access points Be sensible about where you park the vehicle Make sure it’s safe and secure at all times Don’t park in very narrow roads opposite driveways, entrances and junctions obstructing other road users lock it every time you leave it – even if it’s only for a minute keep valuables out of sight park in a safe, well lit place

To sum up… There are some simple steps that we can all take to avoid accidents How many of us would pass our driving test today? Road safety is as important as track safety Look out for the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ booklets If you don’t feel confident, ask your line manager if you can take the driver coaching scheme