Driver Safety Tips

Speed Limits

Speed limits in the UK vary according to the type of vehicle and type of road driven.  Driving just a few miles over the posted limit does make a difference, and could mean the difference between life and death. 

At 35mph you are twice as likely to kill a pedestrian as you are at 30mph (RoSPA – Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents).

Stand up for slowing down and you will be making the roads safer for everyone.

Remember if there is street lighting then you are likely to be in a 30mph limit.  

Where the default speed limit where there is street lighting is not 30mph, there will be signage to advise you of the relevant limit. 

Please note, that these speed limits do not supersede any limits set by speed limiter devices.

For further information regarding speed limiter devices see “Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Amendment No.5 Regulations 2005 (Road Traffic Act 1988)”

To request the Know Your limit Sticker please click here.

Traffic Signs Regulations

All signs erected on the public highway must adhere to the Government's statutory directive called ‘The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016' (TSRGD), or be specifically authorised by the Department for Transport (DfT).

TSRGD specifies the size, shape, wording and location of signing. A copy of which can be viewed at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-regulations-and-general-directions-2016-an-overview

Fatigue

If you fall asleep at the wheel you risk killing yourself, your passengers and other innocent victims.

The facts:

• Sleep-related accidents are more likely than others to result in a fatality or serious injury.
• Peak times for collisions are in the early hours and after lunch.

Advice:

• Plan your journey to include a 15 minute break every two hours
• Don’t start a long trip if you are already tired.
• Try to avoid long trips between midnight and 6am when you are likely to feel sleepy anyway.
• If you start to feel sleepy – find a safe place to stop – not the hardshoulder.
• The only real cure for sleepiness is proper sleep.

If you have a medical condition linking in with sleepiness that can affect your driving you must inform the DVLA.  You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell the DVLA.  You may also be prosecuted if you are involved in a collision.