Motoring Advice

MOTORING ADVICE Motorists urged to drive safely as travel restrictions ease

WITH further easing of Covid-19 restrictions and more people expected to be travelling to visit friends and family, drivers are being reminded to take extra care on the roads.

The Staffordshire’s Safer Roads Partnership is encouraging people to plan any journeys carefully, to check their vehicle and the weather before travelling and to always drive to the conditions.

Speaking on behalf of the partnership, James Bailey, Assistant Director for Highways and the Built County at Staffordshire County Council said: “With the further easing of travel restrictions, we are expecting our roads to be busier than they have been for a while. “Increased traffic on the roads can result in more difficult driving conditions, so we’re just asking people to take extra care. In addition, many people may not have used their car much this year or been on longer journeys so even before travelling, make sure everything in the car is working properly and you know where you’re going.”

Highways England Assistant Regional Safety Co-ordinator Marie Biddulph added: “Many of us have rarely used our vehicles in recent months and you may feel a little out of practice if you haven’t driven for a while. So it is more important than ever that you thoroughly check your vehicle before travelling. “Checking your tyres, oil, screenwash, lights and fuel doesn’t take long if it is done regularly but will keep you and your loved ones safe. “Nobody wants to have their journey ruined by a breakdown and as the restrictions begin to ease in the coming weeks, people are likely to travel longer distances. Carrying out these few basic checks can prevent breakdowns and help get everyone to their destination safely.”

Some advice from the Staffordshire Safer Roads partnership includes: Planning your journey carefully and listening to local/national weather broadcasts and travel reports, especially for the areas you will be travelling through. Weather and road conditions can change rapidly; check regularly and be prepared to change your plans if necessary.

When on the road, drive with extra care, drive to the conditions, stay within the speed limits and keep an appropriate distance from the car in front of you.

Please make sure everyone in the car is wearing seat belts and that you are safe to drive.

Before you set off, make sure you check your vehicle. Check the car battery is functioning correctly, lights are clean and working. Check that the wash bottle is filled with screen wash and windows and wiper blades are clean.

Check your vehicle’s oil level as maintaining the correct level is essential to prevent your engine from seizing up and breaking down.

Check the tread depth and pressure of your tyres, including the spare. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. Refer to your vehicle’s handbook for tyre pressures.

For further advice on vehicle safety checks, go online to: https://highwaysengland.co.uk/roadsafety/vehicle-safety-checks.

Louise Martin from the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership carrying out an oil check