North Yorkshire Police haven’t published a list of mobile speed camera locations this week. Ironically, perhaps, they say that they are however supporting a road safety week organised by a speed reduction charity.
“The 95 Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership is supporting this year’s Brake Road Safety Week, from 19th to 25th November 2012. This year’s theme is “Slower Speeds = Happy People!”
By easing off the accelerator, drivers can give themselves that extra few seconds to see other road users and plenty of time to react if needed.
The evenings are drawing in and even the morning drive to work or the shops is darker now – the same time that children are walking to school and others of us are walking or cycling to work.
Mornings are getting colder, car windows need to be cleared and head and tail lights checked every day – so drivers you need to change your morning routine to get outside a few minutes earlier and avoid rushing to get to work on time.
Running late is a major distraction from concentrating on your driving and trying to catch up on yourself can override normal common sense e.g. leading to drivers attempting an overtake that they wouldn’t otherwise have considered doing; just because they are behind the clock. You can avoid that stress and the risks that can follow just by setting your alarm ten minutes earlier and allowing yourself a little more time to take it easy on that drive and be ready for whatever comes along.
Of course driving just a few miles slower as a matter of routine can also save you money on fuel and you’ll still get there in good time.
“This time of year, with darker, shorter days and lots of things to do can mean we are hurrying ourselves along and not stopping to think about our own and other peoples safety as we travel.” said Assistant Chief Constable, Iain Spittal, Chair of the 95 Alive Road Safety Partnership. “It is so much easier to build an extra ten minutes into the start of the day and not have to race around. And it really isn’t hard to do – driving just that bit slower is more enjoyable and means you get to work calm and ready for whatever the day has in store.”
For cyclists and pedestrians, please look out for cars and other drivers – on dark days they cannot see you from inside their vehicle as well as you can see them. Look out for cars and vans without lights on and make sure you are visible with a high vis jacket or reflective gear such as a rucksack or bag and bright cycle lights.