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Posted December 2007

AA Advises on young drivers

In the run-up to Christmas the AA has some advice to anyone concerned about their young child or friend’s driving, especially in the heady weeks and months after passing the test.

The car insurance provider says the label of unsafe driver doesn’t apply to all young drivers, but unfortunately there is a minority of about 35% who because of inexperience or adventurous bad driving are more likely to be involved in an accident causing injury or worse still death. As inexperience applies to any age, it is the intentionally bad driver who is trying to impress young passengers or just out to ‘get a buzz’ from behaving like a racing driver on the public highway that is the major concern.

Here are some of the key problems that they noted:
The young (usually male) bragger who likes to show-off his driving ‘skill’ takes more unnecessary risks when there are passengers in the car, especially when the passengers are also male. There is a basic immaturity in this activity, including considering it ‘wicked’ to break the law and not wear a seat belt. Such youngsters while driving in the early hours of the morning are seventeen times more likely to be involved in an accident than the average male motorist. This night time accident level is exacerbated by driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, which together with the high spirits of the occasion can be a lethal cocktail. When several friends get together it’s very easy for spirits to rise and a combative, adventurous mood take over and passengers encourage the driver to more and more risky maneuvers. Passengers need to learn their part in safe road travel and not egg-on drivers, while drivers need to learn how to say no to inappropriate encouragement.

As a passenger it is possible to spot the bad drivers. Those who ‘show off’ as soon as they get in the driving seat, or those who have had anything to drink or taken any form of drugs. Don’t get in the car with these drivers, they are a potential risk to your life and limb. Likewise when in a car the driving is poor or frightening you, ask to get out, this can have a sobering effect on the driver’s attention to their driving, or you could always carry out your suggestion and make your own way (if safe to do so.)

Mums and Dads can also help by offering their kids a lift home, without conditions, rather than accept a lift from someone who is drunk or too high in spirits to be safe. It’s a drag, but better than a dead or severely injured child.

Posted December 2007

Speeding on Company Time

Royal and SunAlliance (RSA) has published a study into the attitudes and practices of individuals driving on company business. RSA, Britain’s biggest commercial insurer providing fleet car insurance, has found that a large proportion of people feel under pressure to make destinations on time and as a result end up speeding to achieve unrealistic distances. Also many feel compelled to make and take mobile phone calls, whilst driving, and not all had been provided with hands-free equipment.

They found that drivers’ road manners were different when driving on company business than when undertaking private journeys. With the extra anxiety of having to reach their destination in time for an appointment 21% confessed to speeding and 10% reported they were more likely to jump a yellow traffic light. Overall 15% feel they commit driving misdemeanors that they wouldn’t if they weren’t pushed by their employers to reach unrealistic journey targets.

Worse still is the pressure to use the phone whilst at the wheel, with an astonishing 51% of respondents stating they used their mobile whilst on the move. An RSA spokesman said that using a hand-held mobile whilst driving is illegal and the making of calls in itself, even with a hands-free car phone, while you should be concentrating fully on road and traffic conditions, is not best driving practice.

He added that companies need to take responsibility because they have a duty to promote best practice whilst their employees are driving on company business, including ensuring that staff do not feel that work demands force them to act recklessly by speeding or using a phone while driving.

Posted December 2007

Freight carriers beware the season’s crime rush

Norwich Union has backed the warning issued by the Freight Transport Association of an increase in theft of and theft from commercial vehicles in the run up to Christmas. Commercial vehicles carry large volumes of highly saleable goods at this time of year and as such represent relatively easy pickings for the professional thief and are like a kid let loose in a sweet shop for the opportunist.

In an attempt to raise awareness amongst drivers and freight owners alike and in turn reduce the volume of commercial vehicle insurance claims over the festive season they have issued a guide to criminal methods used at this time of year. Avoiding situations where these scenarios could become a potential risk will help avoid the possible disruption to trade and other consequential losses involved.

Amongst the main comments are:
Taking on seasonal drivers with unknown backgrounds, very busy delivery runs and unusual routes, possibly through run-down or rural areas, present worthwhile prospects for criminals to access vehicles and their cargo.
False paperwork is being presented for the collection of ‘returns’ trailers from all types of high volume retail outlets.
Driver distraction by plausible individuals is always possible, with the theft of keys to their vehicle as part of the diversion, allowing either the trailer or the whole vehicle to be stolen. This is far more numerous than actual vehicle jacking where drivers are stopped on the road, forced out of the vehicle and it is driven away by the thief.

Freight owners and managers need to be extra vigilant, with the provision of regular checkpoints, comprehensive instructions on what to do if anything seems unusual and who in authority their drivers should check with in cases of apparent change in routine over routes, drops and collections.