by Joe Jeffrey

Effects of driving while not being properly rested highlighted in new video

As many of us set off on our summer holidays, breakdown and road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist has issued advice surrounding the need for drivers to be properly rested before setting off on long journeys.

Being tired when you’re driving raises the risk of a collision, because you’re less aware of what’s happening around you. Not only this though, but your ability to react is impaired if a risky situation develops. That’s why fatigue can be a factor in up to 20 per cent of all road collisions, and up to 25 per cent of fatal and serious crashes

Of driving while tired, GEM road safety officer Neil Worth said: “We want you to ensure your holiday starts the moment you close the front door and set off, but safety has to come first. If you’re on a long road journey, make sure you’re properly rested before you set out, and build in regular breaks on long journeys to help stay fresh, observant and aware.
“This is particularly important if you’ve changed your routine and are driving early or late – or even through the night – to avoid the queues.

“A fatigue-related crash is around 50 per cent more likely to result in death or serious injury, simply because a driver who has fallen asleep at the wheel will be unable to reduce speed or change direction to avoid a collision. The consequences can be devastating,” continued Worth.

Neil Worth warns of the tell-tale signs of driver fatigue. “There are many recognisable warning signs before you actually nod off at the wheel. These include difficulty focusing on the driving task, fidgeting and frequent yawning and rubbing. As fatigue worsens, it will be increasingly difficult to focus on driving. Accompanying this could be drifting to the left or right and an inability to maintain a constant speed.”

GEM has issued a few simple tips for drivers to reduce the risk of a fatigue-related collision. They are:

– Get a good night’s sleep before you drive a long journey.
– Build in time to reach your destination (or your night-stop) without rushing. Remove time pressures wherever possible.
– On long journeys, take a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours or 100 miles. Get out of the car, do some exercise, stretch or walk. If necessary, have a caffeine drink or two to boost your alertness.
– If you are driving all day, schedule a proper hour-long break in the middle of the day, as this serves to split the day’s driving into two shorter and more manageable halves.
– Avoid driving alone for long distances if possible. Share the driving, and support each other by watching for any signs of fatigue.
– Don’t press on into the night. Avoid driving at times when you would usually be asleep.

For more of an understanding of the dangers of fatigue, check out GEM’s short video below now.

by Joe Jeffrey

AA warns road users to check their tyres before they wreck their tyres

Thousands of motorists in the UK are potentially putting themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk by driving with dangerously low tyre treads, according to the latest data from the AA.

More than a third (37.2 per cent) of drivers who called out the AA to fit new tyres were either driving with tread depths below the 1.6mm legal minimum (9.6 per cent) – or were on the limit (27.6 per cent).

The AA analysed thousands of call outs in 2016 to its team of specialist tyre fitters – providing a snapshot of the state of tyres on Britain’s roads.

The findings support new data from TyreSafe and Highways England showing that of 340,000 tyres measured across the industry, 66 per cent were below 2mm while 27 per cent were illegal suggesting that up to one in four cars on Britain’s roads have at least one tyre that is illegal or barely legal.

Driving a vehicle with an illegal or defective tyre could lead to a police officer issuing a fixed penalty notice (£100 and three penalty points). In serious cases an officer may report the case for prosecution.

A court can impose a fine of up to £2,500 plus three penalty points for each defective tyre – so in an extreme case a driver could be facing a £10,000 fine with 12 points which may lead to disqualification.

The law says that vehicle tyres must have at least 1.6mm of tread throughout a continuous band in the centre three quarters of the tyre and around the entire circumference.

The AA and TyreSafe advise that new tyres should be replaced when tread depth reaches 2mm (3mm in winter). Tyre pressures should be checked at least fortnightly, as well the general condition of the tyres, looking for cuts or bulges.

Mark Shankland, co-founder of the AA’s mobile tyre fitting service, AA Tyres said: “Our findings point to an alarming lack of concern about tyres by British drivers.

“With summer upon us, now is a good time to should check your tyres before heading off on a long trip and replace them if there is 2mm of tread or less remaining.

“Take a look at your car’s handbook – or look for a label in the door shut or perhaps under the fuel filler flap or in the glovebox – which will tell you what your tyre pressures should be. If you are taking all the family and luggage too, you may need to inflate your tyres to a higher pressure.

“Remember that you have just four small patches of rubber that separate your car from the road.

“If your tyres are worn or damaged, you’re putting your family at risk,” Shankland conintued. “That’s quite apart from the risk of getting caught and facing a hefty fine.

“The dangers of driving on bald or balding tyres are clear. Not only is the risk of a blow-out greater but stopping distances are significantly increased too, especially on a wet road. If there’s a sudden summer downpour there’s a high chance of aquaplaning on worn tyres which means you lose control of your car with perhaps unthinkable consequences.”

by Jeanned’Arc Sanbar

Caravan Park flood plan approved but met with resistance from enironmentalists
A flood defence scheme proposed for a north-east caravan park has been met with opposition from environmental experts despite gaining approval from local authorities.

Wood Leisure-owned Deeside Holiday Park in Maryculter, Aberdeenshire, which is situated alongside the River Dee requested a defence wall to be built around the park’s perimeter following on from flood devastation caused by Storm Frank in December last year. Permission was granted by Aberdeenshire Council’s Kincardine and Mearns area committee to go ahead with the plans earlier this week.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), however, has ruled against plans approved, stating that the work proposed may have a knock-on effect elsewhere along the Dee, with possible implications including a “loss of floodplain capacity of around 5 per cent”, placing neighbouring properties at “increased risk”.

Managing partner of Wood Leisure said of those in opposition of the plans: “Obviously we are delighted to have the support of the councillors, it’s fantastic they listened to our case and voted in favour of our right to protect the park.

“But we are fully aware that the Scottish Government could still call it in and we could have another hurdle to overcome.

“It’s vital for safeguarding the future of the park and the customers that are on it, it’s all about making sure that we are able to safely evacuate them if we need to.”

What do you think about those opposed to building a flood defence barrier around Deeside Holiday Park? Let us know in the comments section below.