KENT REALISING ELECTRIC VANS SCHEME KENT REVS UP FOR CLEANER AIR
Phone 01622 236886
Email REVS@csltd.org.uk
Online kcs4ps.co.uk
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CONTENTS 1 Important contact details
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2 Your loan vehicle
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3 The electric vehicle scheme - What to be aware of
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4 Accident advice
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5 Replacement glass advice
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6 Spare key advice
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7 Replacement tyres
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8 Penalty charges/speeding offences
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9 The care and condition of the vehicle
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10 Return of the vehicle
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11 Driver Tips: How to stay safe when out on the road •
Mobile phones & driving
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Safe loading of your vehicle
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Cyclists & pedestrians
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Medication & driving
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Eyesight & driving
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Fatigue: a common cause of collision
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Getting the most from your tyres
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How to use a motorway
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Driving in poor weather
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Skid control
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IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS
For any queries or issues within office hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm) please call your account manager on 01622 236886. You can also email REVS@csltd.org.uk. Our address is: Commercial Services Kent Ltd (CSKL) KCS, Unit 1, New Hythe Lane, Aylesford Kent ME20 7FE For any emergency issues, including breakdown recovery, accident and glass replacement, please contact Lex Autolease on 0344 879 6000. Insurance Contact Information: • •
Account Holder: Commercial Services Kent Ltd Insurance Provider: Zurich Municipal
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YOUR LOAN VEHICLE
The vehicle that has been provided to you is fully maintained in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines. You have access to the below services in the event of an emergency: • • • •
Breakdown cover Accident recovery Tyre replacement Glass replacement
Please note that all damages, accidental or otherwise, are not provided for within your loan agreement and will be rechargeable.
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THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE SCHEME: WHAT TO BE AWARE OF
CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE There are many good reasons to buying an electric vehicle, such as a reduction in running costs when compared to a petrol/diesel car. They are also nippy, silent and satisfying to drive. However, it is also important to note one of the biggest differences to the traditional petrol/diesel vehicles: Unlike a petrol/diesel vehicle, you are not able to re-fuel within minutes. This means that you must make sure that the vehicle always has enough charge for the journey you are going to undertake and that you are aware of your nearest charging points should you need to recharge during the day. CHARGING AT HOME: CAN I PLUG MY ELECTRIC CAR INTO A REGULAR SOCKET AT HOME OR WORK? You can, but this is not recommended. It takes a very long time to charge a vehicle to 100% using a 3 pin socket. The only time we’d recommend charging the vehicle this way is if you have an electric vehicle charging unit installed.
4 ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND PUBLIC CHARGING Public rapid chargers offer the fastest way to top up batteries. Some cars can reach 80% charged in 40 minutes or less. Plan accordingly and it’s quite possible to do long journeys thanks to the sprawling and growing network of charge points. PUBLIC CHARGING POINT SPEEDS EXPLAINED These charging points can be divided into three main categories: slow, fast and rapid chargers. • • •
Slow chargers offer power up to 3kW Fast chargers offer speeds between 7kW-22kW Rapid chargers are above that, with speeds between up to 43kW or 50kW
There are nearly 20,000 public charging connectors in the UK, over 4,000 of which are rapid chargers. This means that you will be able to charge your electric vehicle from near empty to around 80% full in 30-40 minutes, or up to an hour in some cases. It is much quicker than charging at home. HOW DO YOU PAY FOR THE CHARGING COSTS? In order to charge your vehicle you will first need to download an Electric Vehicle Charging App from your phone’s app store. Each app will vary in terms of how they charge you for accessing electric charging points some may ask you to top up your account with them, which they then deduct the cost from each time you charge the vehicle, whereas others may work on a “direct debit” basis where they just charge your card/account. You will need to do your own research and select the best option for your business, but some examples of apps you can choose from are:
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES You must comply with the loan agreement and driver form. As per your loan agreement, you are responsible for the following: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Ensuring the electric vehicle is in as good a condition as it was on the commencement of the loan All costs of charging the electric vehicle and ensuring the vehicle has enough charge for the journey it is doing Ensuring the vehicle is returned to us with a minimum of 90% charge Ensuring the electric vehicle is kept and operated in a suitable environment and used only for the purposes for which they are designed Attending any and all training provided by or on behalf of the Council in respect of the operation of the electric vehicle Complete any risk assessment and daily driver safety checks produced by the Council relating to the use of the electric vehicle and report any defects to Commercial Services Kent Ltd on 01622 236886 or email REVS@csltd.org.uk Notify Commercial Services Kent Ltd immediately, where the participant and/or driver’s driving licence is suspended or revoked Ensuring no alteration or repair to the electric vehicle is made, and that you do not part with control of, sell or offer for sale, underlet or lend the electric vehicle, without prior written consent of the Council Notifying Commercial Services Kent Ltd by email of any accidents/breakdowns reported through our maintenance provider Lex Autolease Paying any and all fees, fares and fines Ensuring you park legally and comply with any parking regulations Ensuring the electric vehicle is not used for any unlawful purpose or to carry or transport corrosive or hazardous chemicals Ensuring the electric vehicle is only used by the participant or named driver(s) on the agreement Ensuring that at all times the electric vehicle remains identifiable as being the Council’s property
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Ensuring the security of the electric vehicle by ensuring it is locked at any time it is not in use, left unattended or parked Ensuring the electric vehicle is returned on time at the end of the loan period and is clean (inside and out), free from any damage and with all items it was supplied with Ensuring the vehicle is not taken outside of mainland UK without the prior written consent of Commercial Services Kent Ltd Ensuring no actions are taken that may jeopardise the right, title and/or interest of the Council in the electric vehicle, or in a way that may suffer or permit the electric vehicle to be confiscated, seized or taken out of it’s possession or control
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You can find further information on the above points throughout this guide. Please refer to your loan agreement for full details of your responsibilities throughout the loan period.
BREAKDOWN ADVICE In the event of a breakdown please call our maintenance provider Lex Autolease on 0344 879 6000 and select the breakdown option. You will be asked to confirm the following: • • • •
The vehicle registration number Your name and contact number The vehicle location (please be as specific as possible) Details surrounding the breakdown
Lex Autolease will then arrange for AA roadside assistance to come out to you. If the vehicle is not fixable at the roadside it will be towed to the nearest Lex Autolease approved garage. If you are recovered to a garage you will need to make your own arrangements to get home/back to the office. If the breakdown is outside of office hours they may recover to your home or work address. In this instance you will need to call Lex Autolease the next working day to arrange recovery to the nearest approved garage. Please report any breakdowns by email to Commercial Services Kent Ltd so that we can update our records and downtime manage where required. If your loan vehicle is likely to be off the road for a significant time, Commercial Services Kent Ltd will offer you a replacement loan vehicle (subject to availability).
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ACCIDENT ADVICE In the event of an accident you are legally obliged to stop, but ensure you pull over somewhere it is safe to do so. If your vehicle is immobilised by the incident make sure you stand well away from any danger. Turn off your engine, and ensure no one smokes close to the accident. You must wear your hi-visibility vest when around the vehicle and at the road side.
Consider the following points to further ensure the safety of yourself and any others involved: • • • • • • •
Would using your hazard warning lights make you more visible? Is it safer to emerge from the passenger side of your vehicle? Can you keep facing towards the traffic and watching it? On fast roads can you get to safety behind a barrier? The young, the elderly, and any injured people might not think for themselves and will need help and guidance When you call emergency services give as much location information as possible Placing a warning triangle will help alert other traffic – minimum 50m on normal roads, 150m on motorways. Face oncoming traffic as you walk so you can see danger and are able to step clear early.
6 TAKING PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE Use your phone to take photos of damage to both your vehicle and any other vehicles involved. Please provide LEX Autolease with these photos when requested to do so. You should also call/email Commercial Services Kent Ltd after speaking to Lex Autolease to make us aware of the incident.
EXCHANGING DETAILS Ensure you obtain the following details for any other parties involved in the accident, and that you pass on your details to all involved: • • • • • •
Your full name Home address Vehicle owner’s name and address (found on the front page of this document) Contact information Insurance company name Registration number(s) of any other vehicles involved
If anyone is involved who doesn’t stop you should report the accident to the police as soon as possible, within 24 hours to avoid being prosecuted.
ACCIDENT RECOVERY If your vehicle needs recovering following an accident please call Lex Autolease on 0344 879 6000 and select the accident management option. They will then arrange recovery either to your home/work address, or to a nominated garage of their choosing.
SUBMITTING YOUR CLAIM FORM Lex Autolease will complete the claim form with you over the phone. When reporting the claim you need to quote the account name “Commercial Services Kent Ltd” and confirm the following: • • • • •
Your name Registration number Extent of damage Whether the vehicle is driveable/non-driveable Third party details (e.g. name, contact details, registration number (s), insurance company, policy details)
REPLACEMENT LOAN VEHICLE In the event of an accident which leaves a vehicle off the road, Commercial Services Kent Ltd may offer a replacement loan vehicle. This will be subject to availability and will be decided on a case by case basis, taking into account the circumstances surrounding the accident.
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REPLACEMENT GLASS ADVICE
To arrange for replacement glass or repair, please call Lex Autolease on 0344 879 6000. You will need to confirm the following: • • • • • •
The vehicle registration number The location of the damage on the vehicle Whether it’s a crack or a chip Where the vehicle will be located on the day the repairer comes out Your availability Your name and contact number
7 If the windcsreen needs replacing, you will be responsible for any costs associated with repairing or replacing. You will be charged £200.00 excess for a replacement and the full cost of a repair (up to £200.00 where it would become an insurance claim). This will be deducted from your deposit amount/charged to your credit card.
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SPARE KEY ADVICE
HOW TO OBTAIN THE SPARE KEY Commercial Services Kent Ltd keep all of the spare keys at the address below: KCS New Hythe Lane Aylesford ME20 7FE If you lose your key please call Commercial Services Kent Ltd on 01622 236886. Keys will be available from 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. If you lose your key outside of office hours you will need to call for breakdown assistance. You will need to arrange travel to the above address to obtain the spare key. Commercial Services Kent Ltd will provide you with the number to call on arrival. You will need to wait at the entrance and call us and we will come out with the spare key. You will need to sign to accept responsibility for the key.
IF A NEW KEY NEEDS TO BE PRODUCED In the event that a new key needs to be ordered we will order on a “like for like” basis from the manufacturer. Please be aware that you will be charged for the full cost of the replacement and this will be deducted from your deposit/charged to your credit card.
RETURNING A SPARE KEY TO COMMERCIAL SERVICES KENT LIMITED If/when you locate your missing key, please return it to Commercial Services Kent Ltd at your earliest convenience during the loan period. Please call 01622 236886 or email REVS@csltd.org.uk to arrange a time to return the key and sign it back to Commercial Services Kent Ltd. If you return the key after the loan has ended you will still be charged for the replacement.
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REPLACEMENT TYRES
It is important to check tyres regularly for damage, not only to stay safe but also to keep your tyres legal. If your tyres are damaged/punctured during the loan period, please call Lex Autolease on 0344 879 6000 to arrange for a repair/replacement. Please note, you will be responsible for any costs incurred in relation to damaged tyres and will be deducted from your deposit/charged to your credit card.
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PENALTY CHARGES/SPEEDING OFFENCES
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR PENALTY CHARGES / SPEEDING OFFENCES? It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that they are parked legally when out in their vehicle.
8 PENALTY CHARGE LEFT ON THE WINDSCREEN If you return to find a penalty charge notice on your windscreen, you will need to either: • •
Arrange to pay the charge by the deadline provided Appeal the charge by the deadline provided (instructions provided on the document on how to do this).
*Do not ignore the charge, this will only cause it to escalate* PENALTY CHARGE RECEIVED BY COMMERCIAL SERVICES KENT LTD If Commercial Services Kent Ltd receive a penalty charge, we will automatically make payment to avoid the costs escalating, and then recharge on the costs plus an admin fee of £30.00 + VAT. Depending on the nature of the alleged parking offence and the organisation, you may still be able to appeal the charge despite the payment having already been made. If you make an appeal which is successful Commercial Services Kent Ltd will reimburse any charges on receipt of the funds back, excluding the admin fee. You will need to email REVS@csltd.org.uk to advise that you have made an appeal which has been accepted so that we can pursue the issuer for a refund. SPEEDING OFFENCE If Commercial Services Kent Ltd receive a speeding offence notice we will complete the document and return it to the police nominating you/your company as the user of the vehicle, You/your company will then receive the speeding offence notice through the post and the driver will need to complete the form accepting liability and return it to the police. Please be aware that you will be responsible for any costs incurred in relation to penalty/speeding notices, and Commercial Services Kent Ltd will charge an admin fee of £30.00 + VAT for any speeding offences we receive and process. These costs will be deducted from your deposit/charged to your credit card.
YOUR DAILY DRIVER SAFETY CHECK In line with government legislation you will be required to complete a daily driver safety check for every day you take the vehicle out on the road. You should do this on the first journey of the day and it should only take you a few minutes. To carry out your daily driver safety check please complete the form that Commercial Services Kent Ltd has emailed to you prior to the loan commencement. You will need to go around the vehicle and check off each item on the list to ensure it is safe.
DEFECT REPORTING If you identify any defects during your daily check please report this to Commercial Services Kent Ltd on 01622 236886 or email REVS@csltd.org.uk. Once we receive the defect through we will make an assessment and decide whether we need to get the vehicle back from you straight away to rectify. If we do need to take the vehicle back and it is going to be off the road for a number of days, we will endeavour to provide you with a replacement vehicle where possible.
TELEMATICS All of our electric loan vehicles have telematics installed. This is so we can monitor to ensure proper usage within the loan scheme and provide various reports on utilisation back to KCC. Please refer to your loan agreement. As per your loan agreement: • •
Please ensure you do not uninstall or otherwise tamper with the Telematics device. If a vehicle is deemed to being driven in an unsafe manner we will request the driver is removed from participating in the scheme further.
9 HAZARDOUS DRIVING NOTIFICATION Commercial Services Kent Ltd will receive alerts from the system if any of our loan vehicles are speeding or performing hazardous manoeuvres. If any instances are deemed to be excessive or repetitive, Commercial Services Kent Ltd will make contact with you to address the situation. It is your responsibility to ensure that your drivers are driving within the law.
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THE CARE AND CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE
WHAT ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE? CHECK AND TOP UPS You are responsible for checking and topping up of windscreen washer fluid. You should also regularly check the tyre pressures (you can find the appropriate tyre pressures in the vehicle hand book) and the operation of lights. DRIVING LICENCE It is a requirement that, at all times, you are the holder of a full and valid driving licence. We recommend that you always have your licence with you while driving. FINES All parking fines and penalty charges left on the windscreen (received directly) must be paid promptly by you. You may face additional costs if you fail to pay any charges on time. If you are disputing a charge you must make Commercial Services Kent Ltd aware and keep us up to date. if we are not made aware and are chased by the local authority/parking company we will pay the charge to prevent the costs escalating. If we receive any fines or penalties, we will automatically make payment and the charge will be deducted from your deposit/charged to your credit card. ACCESSORIES You are not permitted to modify the loan vehicle in any way. If any repairs are required on the vehicle due to the fitment of non-approved accessories this will be charged to you. Please ensure you remove any personal belongings/accessories prior to returning the vehicle to Commercial Services Kent Ltd.. SMOKING Smoking in a leased/hired/loaned vehicle is prohibited by law – this includes both cars and vans. Legislation states that a no smoking sign should be displayed in the vehicle. It is also prohibited to use an e-cigarette in any lease vehicle.
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RETURN OF THE VEHICLE
WHAT SHOULD YOU BE AWARE OF WHEN THE VEHICLE IS READY FOR RETURN? When the vehicle is due to be returned please ensure the following: • • • •
You return the vehicle fully charged All items that were supplied with the vehicle are returned with it (e.g. warning triangle, hi-viz, first aid kit, manufacturer’s handbook etc.) You remove all personal items from the vehicle You return the vehicle clean and tidy (please be aware that if the vehicle is excessively dirty inside or out we will arrange for a professional valet which will be charged to you. This would be deducted from your deposit/ charged to your credit card).
Please return the vehicle on the agreed date to the KCS depot and on time - failing to do so will impact on the next client. On return we will carry out a vehicle condition check form which you will need to sign. We will then go through a short survey with you on behalf of Kent County Council regarding your loan experience.
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DRIVER TIPS: HOW TO STAY SAFE ON THE ROAD
MOBILE PHONES AND DRIVING Using a handheld phone whilst driving is an offence that carries a £2,500 fine and three points on your licence. This includes any handheld devices, such as pagers, PDAs and Blackberrys. Hands free calling may be legal in theory but it still carries a risk through your loss of concentration. Recent research has shown that talking on the phone creates more risk than driving whilst over the blood/alcohol limit.
MOBILE PHONE DISTRACTIONS •
Looking to see who is calling.
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Wondering why someone may be calling you.
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Scrolling through your address book to find a number.
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Typing in a phone number.
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Trying to read numbers in poor light or on small screens.
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Struggling to hear on a poor line.
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Having a long or in-depth call.
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Taking or making calls in busy traffic conditions.
WHAT OTHER OPTIONS ARE THERE? No call is so important that you put your life at risk, using a phone whilst driving affects your concentration. • • • • •
If you have to take a call, stop in a safe place and give the caller your full attention. Set time aside to make the call when you can focus clearly and hear properly. Ask a passenger to take a call on your behalf. Don’t set expectations that invite people to call you while you are driving. Set your voicemail with a message that states you can’t take the call as you may be driving.
If in doubt, don’t take or make calls. Your safety is always your first priority.
11 SAFE LOADING OF YOUR VEHICLE Manual handling accounts for 30% of injuries at work. Almost half the resultant injuries sustained are back injuries. Moving even lighter loads when stooping or twisting can cause injury. If you need to move or lift items that is a requirement for you to undertake formal manual handling training so that you know the physical elements of how to lift and move safely and effectively. This applies to all activities of lifting and moving items at work including loading and unloading from vehicles. When you are loading any vehicle, you also need to consider its legal weight limits. You must not exceed the weight limits for your vehicle or cause damage by the way any load is carried in your vehicle. Every vehicle will have a “manufacturer’s plate” which sets out the maximum allowed weights (vehicle plus load). You will find this plate in the engine bay or sometimes in the door frame.
TIPS FOR REDUCING RISK OF INJURY •
Plan how you can lift in the safest way.
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Know your limits on what you can lift or move.
Lifting or moving items that involve lifting to the side.
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Twisting and turning should be avoided.
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Take steps to reduce risk of injury to the lowest reasonably practicable level.
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Lifting items with sharp or jagged edges.
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Lift and hold with both arms and hands in a secure fashion.
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Be aware of clothing that might get caught on items you lift.
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Use gloves for a better grip if required.
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Be careful with uneven weight balance – heavier at one end than the other.
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Keep your spine straight and bend your knees, rather than your back.
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Lift smoothly and don’t over-reach.
Don’t lift over a high lip (for example a high car-boot lip).
12 CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIANS EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITIES A report from road safety charity, brake and the Licence bureau suggests that most companies with staff who drive for work do not provide sufficient training to ensure they drive safely around pedestrians and cyclists. Ten people are killed and 157 seriously injured every week while cycling or walking. Of those almost a quarter are hit by somebody driving for work. The survey of 228 companies found that 54% did not provide extra training on protecting cyclists and pedestrians, while 89% did not plan their routes to avoid schools and residential areas. When it comes to general road traffic incidents the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that up to a third of all road traffic accidents involve somebody who is at work at the time. This may account for over 12 fatalities and 250 serious injuries per week in the UK (figures from Driving at work: Managing work-related road safety). The HSE have made it clear that employers have duties under health and safety legislation to manage the risks faced by their workers on the road. Employers should be taking action to assess this particular risk and to put in place processes to manage it. This will inevitably include adequate training of drivers. There will always be risks associated with driving. Although these cannot be completely controlled, an employer has a responsibility to take all reasonable steps to manage these risks and do everything reasonably practicable to protect people from harm in the same way they would do in the workplace.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS The HSE set out the following practical considerations for employers when it comes to driving.
Drivers should be: • • • • •
Competent and capable of doing their work in a way that is safe for them and others Properly trained (merely holding a licence alone is not enough) Sufficiently fit and healthy to drive safely and not put themselves and others at risk Provided with information that will help them reduce risk (.e.g. recommend tyre pressures) Provided with appropriate advice on driving posture
Vehicles should be: • •
Fit for the purpose for which they are used Maintained in a safe condition, fit for the road and properly insured for business travel
Journey planning should: • • • •
Take account of appropriate routes Incorporate realistic work schedules Not put drivers at risk from fatigue Take sufficient account of adverse weather conditions
Employers are encouraged to seek the views of their employees, or their representatives, as they will have firsthand experience of what happens in practice. The HSE have issued a guidance document “Driving at work: Managing work-related road safety”.
13 MEDICATION AND DRIVING Taking medication can reduce your ability to concentrate and increase your risk of being involved in an incident. Impairment can be caused by illegal substances or by legal approved or prescribed medication. The law treats driving whilst impaired through drugs in the same way as driving whilst under the influence of alcohol, with potential fines, disqualification, imprisonment and loss of employment. Taking medication for many ailments is a relatively common and accepted routine. However, some medications have strong side-effects. You may also react differently if even small amounts of alcohol have been consumed or if taken in conjunction with other medications. Read the information provided with your medication carefully or speak to the pharmacist/your GP to understand how your medication may affect you. Be conscious of any changes you notice and if in doubt, go back to your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.
BE AWARE
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Loss of concentration is a common cause of collisions and some medications will affect your ability to concentrate.
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Medication can affect different people in different ways, so listen to your body.
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If you are affected by medication, changes in attention levels can increase your risk of being involved in an incident.
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You may feel more tired than normal. Tiredness exacerbates concentration loss and you could be slow to react to situations.
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If you are unsure how you might react to new medication, avoid long journeys.
REMEMBER: IF YOU HAVE CONSUMED ALCOHOL, WHILST YOU MIGHT BE UNDER THE LEGAL LIMIT, YOU CAN ALSO BE PROSECUTED FOR DRIVING WHILST IMPAIRED BY “DRINK OR DRUGS”. THE PENALTIES ARE THE SAME; FINES, DISQUALIFICATION OR
IMPRISONMENT.
14 EYESIGHT AND DRIVING In the UK, the basic eyesight test for a driver is very limited and for most drivers is only carried out during the initial driving test. You must be able to read a number plate from 20.5m in good daylight. If you need glasses or lenses to read a number plate at that distance, you must wear them when driving, it is illegal not to. Colour vision is not assessed, as our road signs and traffic lights cater for defects in colour vision. Poor eyesight can contribute to accidents. Eyesight deteriorates slowly and imperceptibly so you may not notice the changes to your sight – this is why it is vital for drivers to undergo regular eyesight testing to be sure that standards of vision can still be met. The ability to see another vehicle approaching from the side can be significantly impaired without good peripheral vision, just as impairments in low-light vision or night vision increase the risks. A driver with limited peripheral vision is permitted to drive as he can compensate by turning his head more often to improve his side view.
CONSIDER •
If your low-light vision is impaired, seeing a cyclist in poorly lit streets is much more difficult.
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A thorough eye examination will look at all areas of eyesight, not just the basic legal driver requirements.
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Dirty windows, mirrors, glasses and damaged windscreen wipers will all restrict your view – and is an offence.
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Glasses with wide frames or rims may reduce peripheral vision, so choose your glasses with driving in mind.
Whilst a good optician should ask you, be sure to tell your optician that you drive on business so that the examination looks for driver specific issues.
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Make sure you can be seen by other drivers by using your lights in low light conditions.
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Persistent headaches when driving might indicate eye problems that warrant further investigation.
15 FATIGUE: A COMMON CAUSE OF COLLISION Concentration is defined as “total application of mind and body to one particular endeavour to the exclusion of all else”. Total focus is simply not natural or normal; you cannot sustain constant focus like a computer does. There is a limit to how long you can stay “on track” before your mind wanders. When you are fresh and alert you can pay attention for longer. When you are tired, bored, distracted or under pressure, your attention span is severely limited. Severe pressures, health issues and alcohol will reduce your ability to concentrate. What is it that affects your concentration most of all? There are times where simply letting the mind wander to work or family issues, even for a moment, can result in an incident.
TACTICS TO MANAGE FATIGUE •
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Maintain good space around your vehicle to • allow for a margin of error, by both you and other drivers. • Take regular breaks to refresh your mind.
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Get a good night sleep and avoid driving when tired.
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If you tend to be more alert and awake in the evenings, try to plan your day accordingly.
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Avoid driving during core “sleep hours” when your body is programmed to be asleep
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Eating light meals is preferable to heavier food that aggravates fatigue.
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Any alcohol can affect your alertness even if below the prescribed limit for driving.
18% of road fatalities in the UK involve someone over the legal alcohol limit for driving. 17% of road fatalities involve alcohol consumption below the legal limit.
SUMMARY • Know your body and understand your weaknesses. •
Plan your diary to drive when you are most alert.
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Losing concentration is the single most common cause of collisions.
16 GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR TYRES Tyre size, width, compound and tread pattern all play a part. There are many choices, all designed by the manufacturer to complement and deliver a balance of features. Original equipment tyres are selected for optimum results. When you replace your tyres, your choice of tyre can maintain or compromise the results. Ignoring the condition of your tyres means you compromise the safety of your vehicle, its occupants and other road users. The following advice should help you understand how to get the best results from your tyres.
Your tyres are the one component that significantly affects your car
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• Performance • Handling • Braking • Fuel consumption • Safety • •
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Check tyre pressures carefully and frequently and don’t forget your spare tyre. If your tyre pressure is too low (by more than 10%) the rate of wear can increase by more than 30%. The resulting increased flexing can cause heat that softens the rubber increasing the rate it wears away. If your tyre pressure is too high your suspension system will be affected. Hard tyres put additional strain on other suspension parts and increase the risk of premature failure. Manufacturers recommend pressures are chosen with this in mind. The correct pressure for your car may be shown on the driver’s door pillar plate. If referring to the handbook compare tyre sizes to the tyres fitted to your car. Several options may be listed, be sure to find the correct one (consult a main dealer for advice if in doubt). Punctures and blowouts (sudden complete deflation) are rare with modern tyres but one of the most common causes is kerbing damage (front left tyre due to poor parking, or rear left due to kerbing on tight urban turns).
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Check the sidewalls for cuts and splits. Check the inside walls too. Check the rims, both inside and outside for signs of damage.
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A bulge in the tread or sidewall is an indication of structural tyre damage. Replace the tyre immediately before sudden deflation.
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Speed humps taken too fast can cause tracking or suspension faults (such as where the front wheel are not running parallel to each other). Most of your tyre appears legal but the inner edge can be below the legal limit with tyre body cords exposed. Check the whole tyre width.
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Fit the correct matching tyres for your vehicle. Don’t drive with four different types of tyres.
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Tyre tread is designed to disperse water. New tyres have around 8mm or more of tread and can disperse up to 12 gallons of water per second at 60mph or more on a flooded road. That ability diminishes considerably as tread wears down. The type of tread pattern can also make a significant difference.
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Very soft compound tyres grip the road well as they mould into the surface but they wear away quickly compared with hard tyres. Hard tyres last much longer but have less grip.
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Run-flat tyres are increasingly fitted to save the need for changing tyres after a puncture and can usually be driven safely and gently to a tyre centre. Most run-flats are usually limited to 50mph for no more than 50 miles when deflated.
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Space saver, or temporary spare wheels, are also usually limited to 50mph for no more than 100 miles. As it is significantly less wide and deep than a standard car tyre it will affect the way your car drives.
DRIVING WITH LOW TYRE TREADS, LOW PRESSURE OR TYRES THAT ARE DAMAGED, RISKS THREE POINTS ON YOUR LICENCE PER TYRE. DRIVING WITH FOUR ILLEGAL TYRES COULD MEAN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION.
17 HOW TO USE A MOTORWAY Drivers who constantly sit in the middle lane and outside lanes for no reason are a source of annoyance to other drivers. Here we explain how the motorway lanes are used correctly: INSIDE LANE This is the only lane you are allowed to drive in unless you are overtaking another vehicle. It is not called the slow lane. It has the same 70mph speed limit as every other lane. MIDDLE LANE This lane is an overtaking lane. It is for overtaking only. It is not called the cruising lane. If you are not overtaking you should not be in this lane, you should be in the inside lane. Again it has the same 70mph limit as the other lanes. OUTSIDE LANE This lane is also an overtaking lane. It is also for overtaking only. It is not called the fast lane. It has the same 70mph speed limit as every other lane. If you are not overtaking you should not be in this lane. HARD SHOULDER This is for emergencies only. If however you are forced to pull over (in an emergency), when you need to set off again, build up your speed to at least 60mph on the hard shoulder before you move back into the inside lane. Moving onto the motorway from a stationary position can result in a fatal accident.
Driving in the wrong lane is one of the biggest causes of congestion and road rage on the UK motorways. Be considerate to other road users, we all want to get somewhere and we can all get there a bit quicker if everyone drives in the correct lane.
18 SAVING FUEL, DRIVING IN POOR SAVING WEATHER MONEY Over 14,000 accidents and over 20,000 casualties are caused by wet weather conditions each year. Over 2,500 accidents result from poor vision from rain, sleet, snow or fog. The best advice is to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. If you have to travel you should prepare your vehicle and drive with caution. In adverse conditions it is harder to see and takes longer to stop. Traffic may also be slow-moving meaning journeys take longer than expected so drivers are more prone to tiredness.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
DRIVING IN RAIN
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Leave early to allow extra time to get to your destination. Slow down – if visibility is poor or the road is wet or icy, it will take you longer to react to hazards and your speed should be reduced accordingly. Travel, steel and brake sooner but more slowly than usual. Maintain a safe gap behind the vehicle in front – stopping distances are double in wet and ten times greater in snow and ice. Look out for vulnerable road users – be aware that people on foot, bicycles, motorbikes and horses are harder to spot in adverse weather and in the dark. Look out for signs warning of adverse conditions. Stay in control – avoid harsh braking and acceleration and carry out manoeuvres slowly and with extra care. Use low gears to keep traction and brake gently to avoid skidding. Stay on well-travelled and maintained roads.
PREPARATION • • • • • •
Start early to allow time to clear and defrost car windows. Check the tyres, battery, brakes, fuel, oil lights, heater, cooling system, and wipers. Keep emergency equipment (blankets, a first-aid kit, jump leads, torch, ice scraper, gloves, snacks and water) in the vehicle. Clear and keep snow and ice off your mirrors, windows and lights. Make sure all occupants of the vehicle wear seat belts. Drive with your headlights on.
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Maintain at least a four second gap between you and the vehicle in front. Never attempt to cross a flooded road if you are unsure how deep it is. Many vehicles will be damaged if you drive through just a few inches of water. If you need to cross shallow water, only cross when there is nothing coming the other way and drive very slowly in first gear with the engine speed high to prevent stalling. Test brakes immediately after driving through floodwater by driving slowly over a flat surface and pressing the brakes gently.
DRIVING IN SNOW • • • • • • • •
Make sure windows are de-iced on the outside and de-steamed inside before setting off. Maintain at least a 10-second gap between you and the vehicle in front. It takes 10 times further to stop in icy conditions than on a dry road. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin whilst taking care not to let your speed creep up. When driving downhill, choose third and fourth gear to prevent skidding. Drivers using a manual car should start in second gear rather than first to minimise risk of wheels spinning. Brake gently to avoid locking the wheels – gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving. Ice forms first on bridges, overpasses and shady areas. When driving over patches of ice, decelerate slowly and hold the car steady. Slow considerably BEFORE going into a bend. Don’t take sharp turns at more than 3-4mph.
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IF YOU DO... ...GET STUCK
...BECOME STRANDED
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Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
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Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help and are certain you will improve the situation.
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Use a light touch on the accelerator, to ease your car out.
If you are sure the car’s exhaust pipe is not blocked, you can run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of fuel in the tank.
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Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
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Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia with warm clothing.
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Pour sand, cat litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
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Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut.
20 SKID CONTROL The thought of their vehicle sliding out of control has to be one of the most frightening for many drivers. Skidding occurs when the force or forces acting on a vehicle are greater than the ability of the tyres to keep a grip on the road surface. In simple terms it means that the vehicle will go where nature and momentum wants it to go, and not where the driver wants it to go. The vehicle is out of control, and you are at risk. There are three categories that significantly influence the chances of a vehicle skidding: THE ROAD A clean, dry, sharp, sound abrasive surface will always give the best grip, so anything that reduces that status will increase the risk of skidding. Road surfaces wear away and become polished over time, typically where you need most grip (hills, corners, where traffic constantly stops and starts). Any additional contamination of that surface will also increase the risk of skidding. Water, wet leaves, mud, dust, gravel, ice, snow, even a constant build-up of sap below certain types of tree can contaminate a surface. Always look for any indication of surface contamination and adapt your driving to suit the road conditions by changing position, slow down before driving on it and drive to create only gentle soft motions in the vehicle. THE VEHICLE The only contact that a vehicle has with the road surface is the tyres. The condition of your tyres is a vital part of this coalition of protection. The all-purpose tyres that most of us use are the best compromise for all-round performance. Always follow carefully the vehicle manufacturer’s advice on tyre choice and tyre pressure. The recommended tyre pressure is selected to keep the tyre footprint correctly on the road.
IF THE VEHICLE DOES SKID •
Every skid is a reminder that you could have driven better and should do things differently next time.
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To control the skid, remove the cause of the skid. If the skid started following harsh braking or acceleration, release the brake pedal.
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Look where you need to go and instinctively you will steer in that direction.
As your tyres wear down the depth of the tread makes a significant difference to skidding resistance. Below 1.6mm depth of tread (legal limit) the tyre will only have a sound grip on a perfectly dry, sound, abrasive surface. As you approach the legal minimum tread depth your tyres will struggle to clear surface water. Electronic aids on vehicles such as anti-lock braking systems, traction control, electronic stability programmes can only give you the best performance that your tyre choice and road conditions allow. THE DRIVER Preventing a skid is your ultimate aim. You are the greatest contributory factor by far. Too much acceleration (A), too much braking (B), too much cornering force (C) in conjunction with the available grip on the road will make the vehicle slide. It is vital for you to keep the level of ABC forces low to keep control. Drive smoothly and gently with no sudden changes in speed or direction will minimise the risk of skidding: • • •
Look well ahead so that you can slow down very, very gently Slow down well before corners so that there is no need for harsh sideways movement on the corner. Accelerate away very gradually as though you have the most precious cargo on board.
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