Secure yourself a second date - drive to arrive this Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, make sure you bag yourself a second date by driving safely and sensibly. IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, has put together five top tips to help keep yourself and your loved one safe on the road.
- First impressions count
Before you set off on your date, make sure you’ve done those weekly vehicle checks that include checking your lights, engine oil, water, electrics and tyres. Your loved one will be more impressed if they arrive in style rather than waiting for a lift home by a recovery truck.
- Take it steady
Speed limits are a maximum, not a target, and a lower speed may be more appropriate depending on the road layout, traffic and weather conditions. Speed contributes to more than a quarter of fatal crashes in the UK - make sure you leave early enough so that you don’t have to rush to get to your destination.
- Don’t be a loser, don’t drink and drive
Drink-driving is one of the most dangerous things a motorist can do. But despite increased awareness of the dangers, one in eight road deaths is caused by drink-related collisions. We recommend that you never drink and drive – not even after having one drink. At just below the legal limit, you are four times more likely to be involved in a road crash than if you had not had a drink. No alcohol at all is the best way to stay safe.
- Text or talk later – leave your phone alone
Using a smartphone whilst driving reduces reaction times by up to 35%. Avoid the temptation of using your phone whilst driving by putting it on silent and placing it in your glove compartment.
- Be patient
Being confident and assertive is a good thing in many aspects of life. But when it comes to driving, over confidence can be a killer. If you’re running late and stuck behind a slow vehicle it can be frustrating, but if in doubt, don’t overtake. Wait for a safe opportunity before you pull out.
Richard says: “It may be on Valentine’s Day that the first love of your life will feel neglected, so give your car or bike plenty of attention in the lead-up and remind it you will be back on the 15th. Remember to check your tyres for cupid’s arrows if you are driving and try to be the perfect lady or gentleman when dealing with other road users.”
Watch 'Secure yourself a second date - drive to arrive this Valentine’s Day' here.
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Notes to editors:
1. Richard Gladman is IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards.
2. IAM RoadSmart has a mission to make better drivers and riders in order to improve road safety, inspire confidence and make driving and riding enjoyable. It does this through a range of courses for all road users, from online assessments through to the advanced driving and riding tests. IAM RoadSmart is the trading name of all businesses operated by the UK’s largest road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and was formed in April 2016 combining the IAM, IAM Drive & Survive, PDS and IAM Driver Retraining Academy. The organisation has 92,000 members and campaigns on road safety on their behalf. At any one time there are over 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses, from members of the public to company drivers, while our Driver Retraining Academy has helped 2,500 drivers to shorten their bans through education and support programmes.
To find out more about IAM RoadSmart products and services visit the new website www.iamroadsmart.com
To find out the name of your own local IAM RoadSmart group please visit: https://wwwiamroadsmart.com/local-groups
Media contacts:
Further information from:
IAM RoadSmart press office – 020 8996 9777
press.office@iam.org.uk / www.iamroadsmart.com
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On Twitter: @IAMRoadSmart
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