Individual

You play the most important role in creating safer roads!

With all the will in the world we, alone, can not make the roads of Cheshire, Halton and Warrington safer. We need your full support, co-operation, and adoption of safer roads attitudes and practices. There are lots of things that you personally can do to help create safer roads.

Wear your seat belt
"Clunk Click, Every Trip" was a road safety campaign slogan first made famous back in the 1970's. The message is more than 30 years old but its relevance and importance is as much today as it was back then. No matter how short the journey, or whether you are a rear seat passenger, "clicking" your seat belt on could save you your life in the event of a crash.  

Don't drink-drive
Again a message we have heard over and over again, but still there are some drivers who think "I've only had a couple, I'm fine" and choose to drive. If caught over the legal limit, they risk losing their driving licence and having a criminal record, whilst any amount of alcohol affects driving performance and increases the likelihood of having a road crash. The message is clear, designate a driver or stick to soft drinks, it's that easy.

Drive at an appropriate speed within the posted limit
Excessive or inappropriate speed is a contributory factor in 15% of fatalities but its really danger lies in the extent to which it greatly influences the severity of a road crash. Basically, "the faster you go, the bigger the mess". The slower you go, the more time you have to react and potentially avoid a crash completely. 

Don't use your mobile phone whilst driving
The use of a mobile phone is now commonly accepted as part and parcel of everyday live for most people. The problem with using a phone whilst driving, however,  is that it absorbs your attention and affects your level of concentration - both essential skills for driving safely and reacting quickly to unforeseen circumstances. 

As of February this year, it is an endorsable offence to drive or ride a motorcycle whilst using a mobile phone and that includes texting! It is not illegal, however,  to use a hands-free set, but we advise all drivers to not use a mobile whilst driving at all. Is taking that phone call really worth the risk?    

Don't drug-drive
Driving under the influence of drugs - whether prescribed medication or illegal substances - is as dangerous as drink-driving and carries the same penalties if caught. Drugs can affect your mind and body in a variety of ways (including confused thnking, hallucinations and impaired co-ordination) that means you aren't able to drive safely.  Read more here

Vehicle Maintenance
Often forgotten about but as important as all of the above, how many of us check our vehicle on a regular basis? And more importantly what are we checking for? Check oil, water, tyre pressue and tread depths, that lights function correctly etc. 

Without your help, road death and injury will sadly continue - so starting making a difference right now by making the safer choice, the right choice.