Speed The choice of drivers make can have a huge consequence for the severity of a road crash – the faster you travel, the harder you hit; the more damage you will do. Posted speed limits are the legal maximum, and should not be treated as a target speed or an indication that the limit is safe for all situations. There will be plenty of times and places when the limit is still too fast Alcohol It is an offence to drive, attempt to drive or be in charge of a vehicle when above the prescribed drink drive limit. Accurately measuring where you are against this limit is impossible without the use of the detection equipment used by police officers and then it may be too late! – Even amounts of alcohol (i.e. below the legal limit) will affect your ability to drive safely including impairing vision, reaction times and the ability to judge speed and distance; also it may lead to an increased likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel. Due to the slow speed at which the body processes alcohol, there is a real possibility of having alcohol in your system many hours after drinking. This means you could be impaired by alcohol and over the drink drive limit the day after drinking. The only safe way to know you are not impaired by alcohol is not to then drive. Drugs Driving whilst under the influence of drugs whether prescribed medication or illegal substances, is just as dangerous as driving when under the influence of alcohol; it is also against the law. If you take drugs you should be aware that they can adversely affect safe driving ability. Some affect concentration, increase risk taking or distort perception. Many cause excessive sleepiness, even the following day. You also need to be careful about taking the shelf’ medicines such as cold or flu ‘off remedies as they can have side effects such as drowsiness. Read the labels carefully and speak to your health care professional for advice. If you don’t feel well then don’t drive! If you are on prescribed medication which affects your ability to perform your duties you must notify your line manager who will seek advice from the Occupational Health Service, before deciding if it is safe for you to perform those duties. Mobile phone See safe use of mobile phones guidance. Seat belts Seatbelts save lives by keeping people in their seats in the event of a crash; it has been proven that they help prevent deaths and injuries in such situations.
Speed The choice of drivers make can have a huge consequence for the severity of a road crash – the faster you travel, the harder you hit; the more damage you will do. Posted speed limits are the legal maximum, and should not be treated as a target speed or an indication that the limit is safe for all situations. There will be plenty of times and places when the limit is still too fast Alcohol It is an offence to drive, attempt to drive or be in charge of a vehicle when above the prescribed drink drive limit. Accurately measuring where you are against this limit is impossible without the use of the detection equipment used by police officers – and then it may be too late! Even amounts of alcohol (i.e. below the legal limit) will affect your ability to drive safely including impairing vision, reaction times and the ability to judge speed and distance; also it may lead to an increased likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel. Due to the slow speed at which the body processes alcohol, there is a real possibility of having alcohol in your system many hours after drinking. This means you could be impaired by alcohol and over the drink drive limit the day after drinking. The only safe way to know you are not impaired by alcohol is not to then drive. Drugs Driving whilst under the influence of drugs whether prescribed medication or illegal substances, is just as dangerous as driving when under the influence of alcohol; it is also against the law. If you take drugs you should be aware that they can adversely affect safe driving ability. Some affect concentration, increase risk taking or distort perception. Many cause excessive sleepiness, even the following day. You also need to be careful about taking ‘off the shelf’ medicines such as cold or flu remedies as they can have side effects such as drowsiness. Read the labels carefully and speak to your health care professional for advice. If you don’t feel well then don’t drive! If you are on prescribed medication which affects your ability to perform your duties you must notify your line manager who will seek advice from the Occupational Health Service, before deciding if it is safe for you to perform those duties. Mobile phone See safe use of mobile phones guidance. Seat belts Seatbelts save lives by keeping people in their seats in the event of a crash; it has been proven that they help prevent deaths and injuries in such situations.