Delivery drivers may think their exempt, but the new AA report – Clunk Click, explains the law in more detail

When the seat belt law was first passed, there was an exemption for local delivery drivers in a vehicle designed for that

Image via Wikipedia

purpose. This became an excuse for many van drivers not to wear belts though and the law was eventually changed to remove the exemption – now drivers making deliveries are only exempt if they are travelling less than 50 metres between stops.
This may still not be widely understood however and there may be a need for renewed education, especially within businesses employing van drivers

Clearly a delivery driver must where their seatbelt when driving. The AA are pushing for increased penalties for those who drive without them – points on their license as well as fines.

As a business with drivers we regularly have to check their licenses to make sure they are still driving legally. Their insurance (and ours) could become invalid if we don’t. Penalty points for non compliance could be very effective.

The report shares some interesting information regarding history of seatbelts, why people wear them and why they don’t.

Fatal accidents are investigated with much greater rigour and post mortem examinations and inquests provide insight into whether injuries are consistent with seat belt wearing or not.

If seat belt wearing had no effect on saving lives, then the proportion of occupants killed not wearing belts should equal the proportion of occupants observed on the roads not wearing belts – about 7%.

But research shows that seat belts more than halve the risk of death in a collision (2), so it would be reasonable to expect that the 7% of people not wearing belts would comprise about 15% of road deaths.

But official figures show that some 34% of car occupants killed in collisions are not wearing belts i.e. more than twice the percentage predicted.

The evidence suggests that the sort of driver who chooses not to wear a belt is twice as likely to be involved in a crash as one who does wear a belt.

Should you get behind the wheel and drive if you have taken prescription drugs? Or over the counter drugs.

Can cold and flu remedies affect the way you drive?

Probably according to a recent survey by Autoglass. The survey showed that 8/10 drivers drive under the influence of drugs, with as much as 50% of them not realising because they had taken over the counter drugs or prescription drugs.

….admit to taking prescribed drugs  such as temazepam, diazepam and pain-killer Cocodamol, with sixty percent (60%) confessing they then get behind the wheel of their car without a second thought.

When it comes to over-the-counter medication, certain cold and flu remedies,  anti histamines and sleeping tablets are the most popular and worryingly a quarter (25%) take more than the recommended dose. After getting dosed-up, seventy three per cent (73%) then hit the roads. Source- Autoglass

It is essential for all drivers, as well as professional driver to make sure they are fit for work and capable of driving. Anti depressants and painkillers can alter the perception of the driver, making an accident more likely.

A driver can be still prosecuted for being under the influence of drugs, even if they are prescribed drugs.

What are the side affects of some of typical over the counter and prescription drugs?

• Tiredness
• Slow reactions
• Not as alert to danger
• Tremors, shaking
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision

If you are thinking of driving and you have a cold, be careful of what medication you are taking. If you are driving you may be better off taking nothing at all. You may not feel so great but you will be a lot safer than being over medicated and driving dangerously.

TV’s Dr Rosemary Leonard, comments: “The effects from medication can last for hours or even days and can vary from person to person; a driver may not even notice that they have been impaired until it is too late. A person’s driving ability can also be affected by the medical condition for which they’re taking the medicine. With cold and flu season fast approaching, more people will be turning to over-the-counter remedies in the coming months.”

“Taking alcohol and drugs together is even worse as their side effects may combine and impairment can be multiplied. It’s vital that anybody taking medication always reads the label first, it’s also essential that motorists feel fit to drive before getting into the car. If they experience any side-effects or feel unwell then they must not consider driving until the symptoms have passed.”

Medicines often state whether you can operate machinery or not whilst taking it, use this as a guideline – your car or van is machinery, you are still operating it.

Drive when you feel better is best option, it is better to be safe that sorry.

Kevin

Safer deliveries by courier

October is tyre safety month, so if you do one thing this October it should be to check your tyres. This year so far there has been 4,300 successful prosecutions of people driving with dangerous tyres.

Where the rubber meets the road, you gain traction. The tyre ‘grips’ the road and needs as much tread as possible. It also needs to be inflated to the correct level as well. Check your vehicles handbook or Haynes Manual for what it should be. If you have an iPhone there is even an app that will help Tyre Pressure iPhone app

It’s one job that everyone with a vehicle can do, with ease (along with topping up your screenwash). See the video to the right (Sarah made me do it, I insisted on wearing the hat though. A small rebellion )

A tyre should have at least 1.6mm of depth, and it should be uniform all around the wheel. If you have uneven wear you will still need to replace the tyre – weaknesses can lead to blow outs and punctures. Baldness even in a small place can lead you to skidding all over the place, especially on a wet road.

Some garages are offering free tyre checks,  if you are unsure of what to do pop in and let them take a look.

Safer driving starts with vehicle checks, before you even get behind the wheel.

Take care this winter.

Kevin

Same day couriers that drive safer