Road safety is a global issue and, in the UK alone, every 20 minutes someone is killed or seriously injured in a road traffic accident. With this unfortunate statistic in mind, the 18th of November marks the start of road safety week, which aims to focus the attention of the public and organisations on the importance of safety on the roads. This year’s theme, decided by long standing organisation, Brake, is ‘step up for safe streets’ and hopes to encourage people to ‘step up’ and take responsibility for creating a safe, healthy future for road users and ultimately reduce the number of casualties.
Whether you’re a driver, cyclist, pedestrian or organisation such as a business or local council, you have the power to make a positive difference.
Here we discuss some top tips to help keep you and others safe on the roads.
1. Vehicle safety
As an individual driver it is important that you make sure your vehicle is always fit for the road and there are some aspects of your vehicle that require your attention more regularly than an annual MOT or service. Some basic safety checks you can do include; checking your exterior lights, windscreen wipers, the condition of seat belts, whether the horn works, the tyre pressure and condition and the engine oil levels. If you are unsure how to do any of these checks, a quick search online will give you the guidance you need.
As a business, you may think to utilise reflective products to maximise the visibility of your vehicles on the roads. The use of reflective and fluorescent markings has been linked to a reduced number of accidents and a reduced accident severity. Here at Lakeside Group we can give you guidance how our full range of reflective products can be used on your vehicle including Chapter 8 rear markings, emergency services vehicles, ECE104 contour tape or just to enhance your brand. You can rest assured that the quality construction of all our products makes them highly durable and long-lasting.
2. Bike and pedestrian safety
As with a vehicle, the importance of being visible stands for cyclists and pedestrians too. Whilst you should never assume a driver has seen you, by wearing bright clothing in the day and a fluorescent vest when out in the dark you are certainly reducing the risk of not being seen. Even carrying a torch at night can help. If you are out walking your dog, ensure they too are visible with a reflective vest or collar. Of course, try to cross roads only at pedestrian crossings and if you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of no pavement, then make sure you walk facing the traffic. Remember, the opposite applies if you are riding a bike so ensure you are riding with the flow of traffic. Darkness certainly poses a greater danger than travelling in the light, so if part of your property or business is open to the public during dark hours, or as a council you are responsible for the lighting of streets, pathways and cycle ways, then investing in quality lighting is important to ensure areas are well lit. Solar lighting may well be worth the investment.
One of the benefits of solar lighting is that there is no need for expensive hardwiring and at Lakeside Group, our solar lights last up to 8 years. Furthermore, for the eco-conscious, we offer lighting that reduces upward light, which can ensure you are not only improving the safety of road users but you also are having a minimal impact on the environment for the nocturnal species such as bats and owls that live in it.
3. Driver safety
There are many aspects to driving that should be adhered to ensure maximum safety. The THINK! Campaign covers many of these, some are of course a requirement by law. Things like, not drinking and driving, not using a mobile phone, leaving the correct stopping distance and being patient with other drivers can all make a positive difference.
Perhaps a less obvious way to improve driver safety is to consider the frustration you may have found yourself in with your sat-nav. It may well have successfully got you close to your destination but then frequently lets you down in the final stages of the journey by not taking you to the exact desired location. You can save yourself from experiencing the stress of being lost whilst driving by taking the time to consult a map and read directions to your destination before you set off. This too can help if you are relying on road signage to get you from A to B.
It only takes one damaged sign, or one hidden behind overgrown trees to set you off in the wrong direction. As a council, you can make sure signage is visible and undamaged to improve the safety on the roads for drivers. At Lakeside Group, our traffic jet digital print system can provide you with long -lasting, durable traffic signs and temporary traffic signage to help reduce the risk of drivers being lost on the roads. We also offer a 12-year warranty as standard and an industry leading 15 year warranty on some products, so an investment today, can positively impact safety for many years to come.
Learn More About Lakeside Group
Sometimes, it really is the little things that can make a big difference when it comes to safety. Hopefully you’ve read something useful from our tips or perhaps it has simply re-focused your awareness on the importance on safety and the positive impact you can have.
If you would like to find out more about any of our products at Lakeside Group and how they can help improve the safety for you, or your employees and other road users, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.