Safe Speed Forums

Drivers blame everyone else for bad driving
Most drivers fear for their safety when behind the wheel, yet believe it's other drivers who pose the danger, according to research out today by Brake and Direct Line.
While more than two-thirds (69%) of drivers consciously worry about being killed when driving, only 1% believe they perform worse than average when it comes to driving safely. Conversely, 98% think they are safer than, or as safe as the average driver.
The 800 drivers questioned made it clear that it's the risks other drivers take, that makes them worry for their lives when on the road:
• Only one in a hundred drivers believe that the roads are full of safe drivers.
• One in three (35%) think there are more dangerous drivers than safe drivers on the road.
• Nearly a third (31%) said they feel safer when driving a car compared to other modes of transport, while only 5% said being a passenger in a car made them feel the safest.
• Three in ten (31%) said they feel least safe travelling as a passenger in a car, compared to any other mode of transport, while only 7% said they felt least safe while driving.

The research suggests that many drivers overestimate their driving ability, whilst blaming other drivers' risky driving for crashes on the roads. In reality, a high proportion of drivers continue to regularly take risks such as speeding, drink driving or driving tired.
Julie Townsend, campaigns director of Brake, said: "Being over-confident, and believing you can get away with risk-taking, is a really dangerous attitude behind the wheel. If you drive, you have a responsibility to yourself and others to stay within the law. Follow the Highway Code, and do everything you can to be safe. That's why we're calling on drivers to make our ‘Pledge to Drive Safely'. It's time everyone took it upon themselves to play their part in making our roads safer, instead of just pointing the finger at others."
Andy Goldby, Director of Motor Underwriting at Direct Line, said: "The vast majority of drivers seem to worry about how other people are driving, instead of evaluating their own driving skills. In previous research we have discovered that large numbers of drivers admit to speeding, drink driving and driving whilst tired, demonstrating that many drivers either don't see these as important, or need to seriously re-examine their attitude to safe driving. In almost all collisions at least one of the drivers made a mistake, so the 98 per cent that think they are safer than, or as safe as the average driver, need to think about this question again."
In research published last year by Brake and Direct Line, 90% of drivers admitted speeding [1], 35% said they got behind the wheel after drinking alcohol [2] and 74% confessed to driving tired [3].
All too often this dangerous behavior leads to tragedy. In 2009, six people were killed every day on UK roads and 70 more were seriously injured. One in xx of those killed or seriously injured were drivers or passengers [4]. As well as campaigning for safer roads, Brake provides a helpline and other care services to families whose lives have been devastated by these sudden, violent casualties - casualties that could have been prevented, usually by drivers taking greater care.
Brake and Direct Line are calling on drivers to take a reality check and have a hard look at their own driving behaviour instead of just blaming others. Drivers are urged to make Brake's ‘Pledge to Drive Safely' to show they take their responsibility behind the wheel seriously.
Brake is also calling on the Government to encourage drivers to take greater responsibility behind the wheel by stepping up educational campaigns that highlight the consequences of driver risk taking. This needs to be backed up by a credible deterrent, with more widespread roads policing and increased fines for drivers who break the law.
Anyone who has been bereaved or seriously injured in a crash can call the Brake helpline for support on 0845 603 8570.
Advice for drivers
Driving is the most dangerous thing most adults do on a daily basis. The best promise you can make is to reduce your driving, to save lives and the environment. But if you do drive, sign up to Brake's seven-step Pledge2DriveSafely today, helping you be as safe as possible.
1. Sober Up
I pledge to drive sober. Not impaired by any alcohol, illegal drugs, or medication that can affect driving.
2. Wake Up
I pledge to drive alert. To have enough sleep, take regular breaks, and stop if feeling tired.
3. Buck Up
I pledge to drive with good eyesight, and not stressed or physically ill.
4. Check Up
I pledge to do checks on my vehicle and not drive a defective vehicle.
5. Belt Up
I pledge to belt up and take responsibility for the safe restraint of others, including head restraints and child restraints.
6. Shut Up
I pledge to put my phone on message service and out of reach.
7. Slow Down
I pledge to drive below limits, taking particular care at junctions, bends and in bad weather, avoiding overtaking, and slowing to 20mph or below around schools and homes.
Drivers can find out more and pledge online at http://www.brake.org.uk/advice/driver.
The consequences
Matthew Hunt of Harleston, Norfolk, was driving to work on the morning of 23 May 2005 when he lost control of his car and broke his spine in two. He was overtaking a lorry when another car entered from a side road on the right. He had to quickly move back onto his side in front of the lorry to avoid crashing into the car. But he lost control and hit the verge before going into a field. He bounced around the inside of the car and sustained very serious injuries because he wasn't wearing a seatbelt. His spine was snapped in two, held together only by his spinal cord.
Miraculously, Matthew was able to walk shortly after the crash as crucial nerves survived and surgeons were able to put a surgical scaffold on his broken spine in an emergency six hour operation. However, Matthew has learnt a crucial lesson.
Matthew said: "Before the crash I was happy to take risks behind the wheel because I thought it wouldn't happen to me and that I was a safe driver. I realise now that that attitude nearly cost me my life. I now take all safety precautions when driving, including buckling up. I was really lucky to make a recovery, but not everyone will be. I'd urge drivers to think again about any risks that they take on the road - being over-confident could lead to terrible injuries, or ending your life or someone else's."
Photos are available, call Ellen Booth on 01484 550067 or email ebooth@brake.org.uk
About the survey
The report is based on a survey of 800 drivers and riders carried out by Brake volunteers, at a range of locations across the UK. Every effort was made to ensure that a wide variety of people responded. Brake thanks all volunteers who helped conduct the survey and collate the results.
About Brake
Brake is an independent national road safety charity. Brake exists to stop the six deaths and 70 serious injuries that happen on UK roads every day and to care for families bereaved and seriously injured in road crashes. Brake produces educational road safety literature, runs community training programmes and runs events including Road Safety Week (21-27 November 2011). Brake's Fleet Safety Forum provides up-to-date fleet safety resources to fleet managers and runs a year-round programme of events. Brake's support division cares for road crash victims through a helpline and other services.
Direct Line
Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.
Direct Line is part of RBS Insurance, the second largest general insurer in the UK1 and is wholly owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting http://www.directline.com
Direct Line Insurance plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered office: 3 Edridge Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1AG. Registered in England and Wales no. 01810801. The Financial Services Authority's Register can be accessed through http:/www.fsa.gov.uk
1Based on 2009 FSA returns (policies in force).
End notes

[1] Direct Line Report on Safe Driving 2009 - 2011 PART THREE: Speed, Brake and Direct Line, 2010
[2] Direct Line Report on Safe Driving 2009 - 2011 PART TWO: Fit to drive?, Brake and Direct Line, 2010
[3] Direct Line Report on Safe Driving 2009 - 2011 PART TWO: Fit to drive?, Brake and Direct Line, 2010
[4] Reported Road Casualties 2009, Department for Transport, 2010 and Reported Injury Road Traffic Collision Statistics 2009, Police Service of Northern Ireland, 2010
t: Ellen Booth on 01484 550067, out of hours: 07976 069159 e: news@brake.org.uk
7 March 2011
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I'm just astounded #7 wasn't #1.

If pedestrians took responsibility for their own safety it would go a long way to making our roads safer.

There is a substantial proportion of the pedestrian population who are not - because of age or physical or mental infirmity - not capable of taking responsibility for their own safety. In a civilised society it is incumbent on other road users, especially those capable of causing considerable harm, to look out for the safety of such people.

There is a substantial proportion of the pedestrian population who are not - because of age or physical or mental infirmity - not capable of taking responsibility for their own safety. In a civilised society it is incumbent on other road users, especially those capable of causing considerable harm, to look out for the safety of such people.

If one is incapable of safely crossing the road unassisted then one would hope that a civilised society would not see said person put in the situation where they had to!

Civilised societies place responsibilities onto guardians for their wards.

It is a rather extreme, and very expensive, suggestion that every person who is incapable of crossing the road without some cooperation from the drivers on the road should be made wards

I think what is being said, is that as a driver it is YOUR responsibility to drive according to your forward visibility, your capabilities, your vehicles braking capabilities and everything else that a good driver is supposed to be - i.e looking out for potential hazards, such as those with insufficient mental capacity to judge the speed of YOUR vehicle.

I dont think there is a suggestion on this forum that the above means you have to drive around slowly everywhere there might possibly be the potential for such a person to appear in your path - that would be silly.

But as a driver of a vehicle, you do not have absolute right of way over any other road user, unless explicitly told so by signs. As a driver, in many urban areas you have to expect wild pedestrians in the road and drive according to those conditions; two tonnes of steel does not give you dominion over the roadspace.

And to be fair, the attitudes of some on here, echo exactly the sentiments of the BRAKE research. Its all their fault, guv, not mine; they were in my way.