What should we do?
Everyone should;
Be patient. Realise that other people make mistakes. Plan ahead and anticipate what might happen.
Cyclists should;
Wear something bright so you can be seen during the day, and use lights and reflective clothing at night. Get some professional training to ride on the road; you are never too old to learn something. Training for all ages and abilities is available through the council's own cycling team Foward Motion. It is recommended that a cycle helmet should always be worn when cycling.
Pedestrians should;
Keep a look out for traffic. Cross in appropriate places, and never cross without looking, even at a green man. Be aware of everything that is happening around you at all times.
Motorcyclists should;
Get some professional training. This is often subsidised by the police or fire service, and there are many independent local providers of training. Wear appropriate clothing, think ahead, and assume no one can see you.
Drivers should;
Accept that you do not know everything about driving and using the roads, even if you have been driving for 20 or 30 years. Things will still happen that you have not experienced before; you are always learning.
Concentrate on your driving. It is a proactive activity, and you need to think ahead and anticipate what other road users are about to do. This includes;
- pedestrians
- cyclists
- horse riders
Keep your phone in your pocket and keep your eyes on the road. Wear your seatbelt and drive within the speed limit and at an appropriate speed for the conditions.
Young Drivers (17-24) should;
No matter how experienced a driver is - or isn't! - the learning curve is long and unending. No driver will ever know all there is to learn about driving. There is a saying that goes:
"At the age of twenty, you think you know it all. At thirty, you realise you do not. At forty, you realise you never will!"
If you're a young and relatively inexperienced driver, there are lots of ways to get clued up. By preparing yourself, you can get experience whilst ensuring that your learning curve doesn't end in an accident.
Check out the Young Driver page on the Safer Essex Roads Patnership (SERP) website. there are often prizes to be won.
Older drivers should;
Think your driving skills are getting a little rusty? Many driving schools and motoring organisations now offer coaching courses for older drivers. Assessors will be able to give advice so you will be safe to drive for many years ahead. Frequent eyesight tests are a must for older drivers, so it's important to have regular check-ups.
Check out the Mature Drivers page on the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) website, coaching courses for mature drivers are often offered for free.
Mobility scooter users should;
Have a look at the rules for driving mobility scooters and wheelchairs. Many suppliers of mobility scooters offer training. Did you know there is a Highway Code for Mobility Scooter users? It is published by Think!, and copies are available from the Road Safety Team.
Passengers should;
Passengers are road users too. As a passenger, you have a responsibility to let the driver concentrate on their driving. Make sure that you, the driver, and other passengers ALL have their seatbelts on. Challenge the driver if they try to use their mobile phone, or if they are speeding. Remember: get a lift from someone else if you are concerned about someone's driving. Don't risk yourself.
Children should;
Children under the age of 12 years, and under 135cms tall, must be in an appropriate and EU-approved child car seat.
In addition to the law regarding child car seats that can be found at GOV.UK further information about purchasing and fitting child car seats can be found at Good Egg Safety.