Advice for road users

Staying safe on our roads is everyone's responsibility. Read our advice below to help you stay safe.

Dark nights

When the clocks go back every year, the darker mornings and evenings create new challenges for all road users. Combine this with wintery weather and the risks are even greater.

It’s important to be bright and be seen. There are simple steps you can take to make sure you're safe on our roads.

Checking headlights are working. This will reduce collisions and casualties during the winter months. You can also check your tyres are in good condition. This is so you know you're prepared for darker and wetter journeys. Remember, always drive in a way that is appropriate to the conditions of the road.
If you're a cyclist, runner or pedestrian, it’s important to wear something bright and reflective so you're more visible to other road users in low light conditions. Motorists should also be on the lookout for more vulnerable road users to reduce the chances of a collision.
Cyclists should also consider making sure that their bicycle is in good condition and that brakes, gears, lights and reflectors are in working order.

Advice for drivers

Safety first

Make sure your vehicle is safe to drive. Check the basics such as tyres, lights, windscreen wipers and washer fluid levels.
Always wear a seat belt, and wear it correctly so it can offer you the best protection in a crash. You're twice as likely to die in a car crash if you don't wear one. Even on short journeys, familiar journeys and at low speeds, not wearing a seat belt can be fatal.
Driving too close to the car in front, undertaking and failing to signal are widely accepted as examples of bad driving. However, driving too fast is also an example of poor driving. Consider the emotional consequences of injuries and deaths caused to others due to driving at excessive speeds and crashing.

Read more advice for drivers and passengers on the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership website.

Watch your speed

The speed limit is a limit not a target.
In some road conditions driving or riding at the speed limit could be too fast. This may be the case if its foggy, rainy or there is increased traffic flow.
The national speed limit on single carriage roads is 60 mph. However, the average free flow speed is 48 mph on these roads. Read more about speed limits.
If you're on a country road try to read the road ahead. You should anticipate potential hazards and brake before the bend, not into it. Look out for hidden dips, upcoming bends, blind summits and concealed entrances.

Ride a motorbike or scooter?

Position yourself in the safest place to maximise your visibility of potential hazards.
Always check over your shoulder before carrying out manoeuvres, so you know where other vehicles are.
Make sure to wear the right gear. Fall off your bike and tarmac will shred your jeans in seconds. Bikers must wear a protective jacket, gloves, boots and trousers.
Wear bright florescent gear during the day and reflective gear at night.
Choosing the right helmet could help save your life. Sharp ratings help you understand how much protection a helmet offers in a crash.

Read more advice for motorcyclists and scooter riders on the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership website.

Check for other road users

Look out for other cars, cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and horse riders. Make eye contact where possible to show you've seen them. Use your indicators to signal your intentions and look out for their signals.
Give cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders plenty of space when overtaking them. Don’t accelerate rapidly, sound your horn or rev your engine when passing horses. Be sure to watch out for sudden movements by the horse.
Always check for cyclists and motorcyclists when opening your car door, pulling out at a junction, or when doing a manoeuvre.
Advanced stop lines at lights allow vulnerable road users to get to the front and increase their visibility. You must stop at the first white line reached if the lights are amber or red. When the green signal shows allow the other road user time and space to move off.

Don't travel if you're tired

Remember the risks if you have to get up unusually early to start a long drive. Try to avoid a long trip between midnight and six am when you're likely to feel sleepy.
If you start to feel sleepy, find a safe place to stop (not the hard shoulder of a motorway). Drink two cups of coffee or a high-caffeine drink and have a rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow time for the caffeine to kick in.
Plan your journey to include a 15 minute break every 2 to 3 hours.

Get rid of distractions

Put your phone away before starting a journey, this way you won’t be tempted to use it. Make the glove compartment the phone compartment.
Pull over if you need to adjust a hands free device or check your map.
Don’t contact someone's mobile if you know they're driving or riding.
Make a pledge to not use your phone whilst driving or riding via the RAC’s be phone smart.

Don't drive under the influence

Drink driving

Drink driving is illegal and puts lives at risk.
Its not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. The way alcohol affects you depends on many factors. If you’re driving it’s better not to drink at all.
If you're planning to drink alcohol, plan how to get home without driving. Agree a designated driver, save a taxi number in your phone, or find out about public transport routes and times.
Remember being 'only down the road' is not an excuse to drive or ride under the influence of alcohol. A large number of all drink driving crashes occur within three miles of the start of the journey.

Drug driving

Driving under the influence of drugs is illegal. Its extremely dangerous and negatively affects your abilities. Your perception of time and distance is distorted, resulting in poor concentration and control of the vehicle.
A sense of overconfidence can develop which can result in high risk behaviour. This may include speeding and aggressive manoeuvres.
Once the affects of a drug has worn off you may feel fatigue. This will affect concentration levels and driving or riding abilities.

Motorway safety

Hear from one of our road safety heroes about what to do if you break down on a motorway

Advice for older drivers

Driving regularly, as long as you're fit and safe to do so, will help you maintain your driving ability. The following tips may also help. If you have difficulty with any of these issues, consider taking a driver assessment or some refresher driver training.

Check your car is safe regularly.
Plan your journeys.
Avoid driving during dark nights.
Be particularly careful to check for pedestrians, pedal cyclists, and motorcyclists.
Good, all-round observation is a key safe driving skill. As well as looking ahead, check your rear-view and wing mirrors regularly. You need to be able to turn your head left and right and to be able to look over your shoulder.
Road signs and markings provide essential information. Make sure you're up to date with them by reading the latest version of the Highway Code.

Driving over the age of 70

When you reach the age of 70, your driving licence expires. This doesn't mean you have to stop driving but you'll need to renew your licence. You'll need to renew it every three years after that. Renewal is free of charge.

Advice for cyclists and runners

Cycling safely

Ride decisively and keep clear of the kerb.
Look and signal to show drivers what you plan to do, make eye contact where possible.
Avoid riding up the inside of vehicles, as you might not be seen. If a vehicle is indicating to the left hang back at the junction to reduce the risk of a collision.
Always use lights after dark or when visibility is poor. Wear high-visibility and reflective clothing and accessories at all times.
Wear a correctly fitted cycle helmet that is securely fastened and conforms to current regulations.

Running safely

Adjust your route if there's a lot of traffic on your usual route.
Wear high-visibility and reflective clothing and accessories at all times.
Try not to run with headphones as it makes you less aware of traffic and other hazards.
Run with a friend to keep you motivated and safe.

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