1. How to stay safe on the road

2. It’s your responsibility
Whether you’re a driver or passenger, you are responsible for your own personal safety
This means:
ensuring vehicles are roadworthy
using seat belts and other safety equipment properly
making sure the driver is fit to drive
driving with care and attention
helping the driver wherever you can

3. There are 9 deaths everyday on UK roads
1 in 2 drivers on company business are involved in a collision every year
Safety is not just about drivers – passengers are responsible too
Know the risks and stay safe
Driving a vehicle is the single most dangerous thing we do at work.
95% of all collisions are caused by human error
Every day nine people die on UK roads and 90 are seriously injured

4. Safety is our No.1 priority
Network Rail is committed to the welfare of those who drive to work and those who drive as part of their job
Network Rail has developed a driver coaching scheme
individual driver assessments
training
online learning

5. Make sure you’re switched on the
minute you get into the vehicle
Get enough sleep if you’re driving the next day
Don’t miss breakfast
Stay focused
Remember, it’s not just your welfare that you’re responsible for
Be prepared for all types of weather

6. Tiredness and well-being
It’s obvious, but make sure the driver takes these precautions:
regular breaks. Don’t fight it, stop!
extra care if you are sleeping badly
share the driving
Everyone in the car is responsible
don’t lark around or distract the driver
only ever use a hands-free kit to make or take a call
only take a call if it’s absolutely necessary
Smoking is not permitted in company vehicles
300 people a year are killed because someone has fallen asleep at the wheel
Make sure the driver takes these precautions:
take a 15 minute break every two hours
tell your manager if you are sleeping badly (because of a new baby, stress etc.)
share the driving with a colleague
drink strong coffee or another high caffeine drink
be aware – if you are fighting it, find a safe place for a break
turning up the radio or winding down the window doesn’t work if you’re too tired to drive
Use of mobile phones
Under no circumstances can drivers use their mobile phones
Using your mobile phone as a passenger is distracting to the driver

7. Use the safety equipment
Many neck injuries can be avoided if drivers and passengers adjust their head restraints properly
Wear your seat belt, front and back
Ensure all passengers are belted-up too
It’s the drivers responsibility to make sure they follow the rules
20% of rear impact crashes result in neck injuries
The top of the restraint should be level with the top of your head
It should be no more than two inches from the back of your head
Front seat belts save more than 2,500 lives a year
A crash at 30mph can result in unbuckled rear seat passengers hurtling forwards with a force of times their body weight
This kills around 40 front seat passengers every year

8. The limit is a limit, not a target
30mph in a 30 zone may be too fast!
Manage your speed according to the weather and road conditions. Stay within the speed limits
Keep your speed down around schools and residential areas
In rural areas, match your speed to the road conditions

9. P
Park right
Everyone in the vehicle is responsible for its safety, including passengers
Reverse park as it is safer
always guide the driver back from outside the vehicle. This simple act will reduce the likelihood of an accident
Slow down at access points
Be sensible about where you park the vehicle
Make sure it’s safe and secure at all times
Don’t park
in very narrow roads
opposite driveways, entrances and junctions
obstructing other road users
lock it every time you leave it – even if it’s only for a minute
keep valuables out of sight
park in a safe, well lit place

10. To sum up…
There are some simple steps that we can all take to avoid accidents
How many of us would pass our driving test today?
Road safety is as important as track safety
Look out for the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ booklets
If you don’t feel confident, ask your line manager if you can take the driver coaching scheme