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Risky tailgating
and speeding rife on UK motorways
6 in 10 UK drivers own up
to risky tailgating (57%) and a similar proportion break the limit
by 10mph or more (60%) on motorways and 70mph dual carriageways,
with men by far the worst offenders, a survey by Brake and Direct
Line reveals.
Almost all drivers say they worry about other drivers tailgating on
motorways; 95% are at least occasionally concerned about vehicles
too close behind them; more than 4 in 10 (44%) are concerned every,
or most, times they drive on a motorway.
By driving too close to the vehicle in front and breaking the speed
limit, drivers are leaving themselves far too little time to react
in an emergency, risking devastating crashes. Crashes on 70mph roads
are more than twice as likely to result in death as crashes on roads
with lower speed limits. In 2012 (most recent data available) there
were 88 deaths and 654 serious injuries on UK motorways. There have
been approximately 1,400 deaths in the 10 years since Tracey and
Steve Mohabir lost their 2 year old son Marcus in May 2004.
Brake and Direct Line's survey reveals that in the past year:-
► Almost 6 in 10 (57%) admit leaving
less than a 2 second gap between themselves and the vehicle in
front, with almost 3 in 10 (28%) doing so monthly or more. More men
(61%) admit doing so than women (53%).
► 6 in 10 (60%) admit breaking the
70mph speed limit by 10mph or more, with almost 3 in 10 (28%) doing
so monthly or more. Men are the worst offenders, with almost 7 in 10
(69%) doing 80mph or more, and more than a third (36%) doing so at
least monthly, compared with just over half (53%) and 2 in 10 (22%)
women, respectively.
► Brake urges all drivers to always
keep at least a 2 second gap between themselves and the vehicle in
front, extending this to 4 seconds or more in wet weather or poor
visibility, on all roads, not just motorways. Drivers should also
keep within the posted speed limit at all times, including temporary
and variable limits; not only will this reduce your chances of a
horrific crash, but it will also reduce fuel consumption.
► Brake recently supported Highway
Agency proposals to roll out speed cameras on stretches of
'smart' motorways, and urges the government to extend the
used of average speed cameras across the network.
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said:- "Almost
all drivers are concerned about the danger posed by other people
tailgating on motorways, and yet a shockingly high proportion admit
driving too close and speeding themselves. There are no 2 ways about
it:- ignore the 2 second rule or the speed limit on motorways and
you're putting yourself and others at risk of a horrific crash.
Traffic laws are not just for other people; all drivers can help
make our motorways safer and prevent needless tragedies by
committing to keep your distance and stay under speed limits,
including temporary lower limits."
Rob Miles, director of motor trading at Direct Line, commented:-
"Driving too closely to the car in front of you is asking for
trouble. Drive too closely at speed and motorists risk not only
their own life, but other road users' lives too. Whilst the UK's
motorways have proportionately less crashes than other roads, speed
is still the biggest killer of road users. We believe it is better
to save lives than to save a few minutes of journey time."
Simon Sheldon Wilson, traffic management director at the Highways
Agency, said:- "Safety is our top priority and we are
committed to continuing to reduce the number of people killed and
seriously injured on our roads. Congestion on the strategic road
network is estimated to cost the economy £3 billion each year, 25
per cent of which is caused by incidents. That's why we remind
drivers of the dangers of tailgating and support Brake's advice to
keep a safe distance from the car in front and to adhere to fixed
and variable speed limits."
APPEAL FOR
WITNESS FOLLOWING ASSAULT IN BOOTLE
MERSEYSIDE Police have
released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak with
following an incident in Bootle on Wednesday, 30 April 2014.
Emergency services were called to Merton Grove at about 10.40pm
follow a report that 3 men had been assaulted. Detectives are keen
to speak to the man pictured as they believe he could have very
important information for their enquiries. The man got onto the
number 52A near to the Sefton Magistrates Court on Stanley Road and
detectives believe he witnessed the incident. The man pictured, or
anyone who knows him, is urged to call detectives. Anyone with any
information about the incident is asked to call Merseyside Police
on:- 0151 777 3835 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111.
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Olympian Jessica
Ennis-Hill has launched the Vitality Run Series
THE Olympian Jessica
Ennis-Hill was in central London today to launch the Vitality Run
Series, a major new series of eight events, which will include the
BTR Liverpool Half Marathon.
Featuring seven of the UK's most prestigious half marathons and one
10k event during 2014/15, the Vitality Run Series will help to
establish the Liverpool Half Marathon as one of the country's
headline running events.
Expected to feature over 100,000 runners in its inaugural year, the
Series aims to encourage participation for all runners, experienced
and beginners, and to create a vibrant community based around many
of the nation's best loved running events.
In her role as Vitality Ambassador for PruHealth and PruProtect,
title sponsors of the Series, Ennis-Hill revealed a four and a half
metre high female runner 'Victoria', positioned near
the Millennium Arena in Battersea Park.
Ennis-Hill, the London 2012 Olympic Heptathlon Gold Medallist,
called on Britons to don their trainers and sign up for one of the
eight Vitality Run Series events.
Acting as spokesperson for the sponsors, Ennis-Hill commented:-
"I am delighted to support the Vitality Run Series by revealing
this giant sculpture which will be a memorable and inspiring feature
at each of the events. There are eight fantastic events taking place
over the next year starting with the exciting new Run Hackney half
marathon on 22 June 2014 through to the famous Reading and Liverpool
half marathons next March. It's exciting for Liverpool Half Marathon
to be 1 of the 8 races in the Vitality Run Series. Being part of a
great series of half marathons and 10ks around the UK will really
raise its profile nationally and make Liverpool Half one of the big
races to take part in on the UK running calendar. Whether you are a
beginner, charity runner or on the hunt to set a new personal best
you will be offered a brilliant racing experience. With the summer
now upon us, this is a great time for runners of all standards to
head outside, start training, and enter one of our events around the
UK. Being a heptathlete, running is obviously a big part of my
training regime and every day life and it is something I enjoy."
As a Vitality Ambassador for PruHealth and PruProtect, Ennis-Hill is
using her passion for living a healthy lifestyle to help motivate
people, whatever their starting point, to make positive changes to
their health and fitness and get rewarded for it.
Mark Whitehead, CEO of Series organisers Achieve Events added:-
"The Vitality Run Series is all about inspiring many more people
to make the step up to successfully to complete one or more of our
leading challenge running events. Our races are open to all and our
motivation is to help people achieve their goals by assisting them
on every step of their journey, through the preparation months all
the way through to a first-class event day experience which will
live long in the memory. With the support of fantastic partners like
PruHealth and PruProtect with Vitality and Laureus, we aim to build
a lasting community around the Series which will enable members to
share their experiences and enjoy access to unique content, offers
and incentives. Look out for more announcements in this regard as
the Series develops during its first year."
Alan Rothwell, Race Director of BTR Liverpool who organise and
deliver the Liverpool Half Marathon, added:- "BTR is delighted
to announce a new three year Partnership with PruHealth and
Vitality. The calibre of the successful and increasingly popular
Liverpool Half Marathon has been recognised to be included in the
national Series of 8 specially chosen events. This year the
Liverpool Half Marathon in March was the 21st anniversary event,
attracting a record 8,420 entries with runners from 22 countries
taking part. Being part of the national Vitality Run Series will
ensure the event will continue to grow in popularity."
The Vitality Run Series calendar of events:-
► Run Hackney, 22 June 2014.
► British 10k, 13 July 2014.
► Oxford Half, 12 October 2014.
► Brighton Half, 22 February 2015.
► Bath Half, 1 March 2015.
► North London Half Marathon, March
2015.
► Reading Half Marathon, March 2015.
► Liverpool Half Marathon, March
2015.
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is the Official Charity of the
Vitality Run Series. Laureus' target is for runners to raise funds
to train 1,000 sports coaches who can change the lives of more than
100,000 young people across the UK. Laureus supports some of the
hardest to reach and disadvantaged young people in communities
across the UK.
For more information on the Vitality Run Series visit:-
vitality.co.uk. |
