PR576: Deadly mates: running on empty and out of ideas

news: for immediate release

The 'Deadly Mates' campaign launched in Wales today indicates that British road
safety is running on empty and out of ideas says the Safe Speed road safety
campaign. If it was a one off we would have laughed at its weakness and
ineptitude - but that matter is serious and all too typical of road safety in
this camera infested country.

The advice offered to young drivers doesn't tell them the things that they
really need to know. Safe Speed has provided a short list of key advice:

Safe Speed's advice to young drivers:

A DRIVING LICENCE IS JUST THE FIRST RUNG ON THE DRIVING LADDER

Handling a car is easy; many young drivers become quite skilled at it quite
quickly. But those skills aren't the skills that keep you safe. Reading the
road, recognising and anticipating danger, and developing good judgement are
the skills you really need and they literally take years to develop.


GOOD DRIVING IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS; THERE'S NO SHAME IN BEING INEXPERIENCED

Good driving is far harder than it looks - never make the mistake of assuming
that it's easy, and remember that there's no shame in being inexperienced.
Every good driver was inexperienced once.


LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES.

Near misses and incidents are far more frequent than crashes - but are caused
by
the exact same driver errors. If you learn from your near misses and incidents
you learn to avoid crashes. Near misses and crashes are therefore a key
learning opportunity. Incidents include:

- anything that involves being surprised by another road user
- emergency braking
- swerving
- anything that involves being surprised by the road
- any loss of control


YOU NEED TO AVOID DRIVING TOO FAST - BUT THE SPEED LIMIT DOES NOT TELL YOU WHAT
TOO FAST IS.

One of the essential driver skills is to adjust your speed to suit the
conditions. This is a skill that continues to develop long after you have
passed your test. You must always be able to stop comfortably, on your own side
of the road, within the distance that you know to be clear. When you are young
and inexperienced you will get it wrong quite frequently and it makes sense to
err on the side of caution. Slowing down on a completely clear road doesn't
help anyone, but slowing down when danger threatens keeps everyone safe. Slow
down in response to hazards. Learn when to hold back and when to go.


DRIVING IS A SERIOUS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

When you drive you are responsible for your safety, for the safety of those
around you and for the safety of your passengers. Take this responsibility
seriously - it is literally a matter of life and death.


DRIVING WELL IS EXTREMELY REWARDING

Gradually learn to 'master' the road and the traffic as well as your car. With
ten years of experience driving can be extremely rewarding. Developing your
skills can be extremely rewarding.


KEY SKILLS:

- managing distraction
- observation
- anticipation
- hazard recognition
- speed control to suit the conditions
- good judgement


Paul Smith, founder of SafeSpeed.org.uk, said: "After 15 years of speed
cameras, British road safety is running on empty and out of ideas. The advice
young drivers are getting is grossly inadequate and they are being badly let
down. We're not warning them what to expect or teaching them how to learn
from their mistakes."

"The advice on the 'Deadly Mates' web site is well intentioned but falls a
million miles short of the mark. It's no surprise to us at the Safe Speed road
safety campaign that crashes involving young drivers are increasing when young
driver numbers are falling. Official messages set the wrong safety targets and
ignore the key information that young drivers need to stay safe."

"Things are so bad that I expect the way is open for a crash involved young
driver to sue the authorities for failing in their duty to provide adequate
training and advice."

<ends>

Notes for editors
=================

Deadly Mates web site:
http://www.deadlymates.co.uk

BBC News web site:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7135541.stm



Contact Safe Speed
================

description: Safe Speed road safety campaign
web: http://www.safespeed.org.uk
email: psmith@...
mobile: 07799 045553
Tel: 01862 893030

Location: North Scotland

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psmith@...

Recent press releases (since November 2004) are automatically and immediately
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Recent photo of Paul Smith:
http://www.safespeed.org.uk/ps004.jpg

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Paul Smith is in North Scotland on 01862 893030 and 07799 045553
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