In some road conditions including fog, rain and traffic flow, driving or riding at the speed limit could be too fast.
The national speed limit on single carriage roads is 60 mph. However, the average free flow speed is 48 mph on these roads.
Country roads
Read the road ahead, anticipate potential hazards and brake before the bend, not into it.
Look out for hidden dips, upcoming bends blind summits and concealed entrances. Always drive at a speed which will allow you to stop in a distance you can see to be clear.
Fatigue
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 are 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.
Mobile phones
Put your phone away before starting a journey, this way you won’t be tempted to use it.
Don’t contact someones mobile if you know they are driving or riding.
Make a pledge to not use your phone whilst driving or riding via RAC’s be phone smart.
Drink driving
Drink driving is illegal and puts lives at risk.
It is not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit, as the way alcohol affects you depends on many factors – so if you’re driving it’s better not to drink at all.
If you are 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 proportion proportion 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, 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 behavior, including speeding and aggressive manoeuvers.
Once the affects of a drug has worn off the user still may feel fatigue, affecting concentration levels and driving or riding abilities.
Seat belts
Always wear a seat belt and wear it correctly so it can offer you the best protection in a crash. You are twice as likely to die in a car crash if you do not. Even on short journeys, familiar journeys and at low speeds, not wearing a seat belt can be fatal.
If you are aged 14 or over, you are responsible for wearing your seat belt and can be fined if you don’t wear it. Drivers must make sure passengers under the age of 14 are wearing seat belts or child restraints, depending on their age, height, and weight.