South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership
News
21 Jul 2023
GETAWAY WITH ZERO PROBLEMS
School is out for Summer and we want families across South Yorkshire to navigate one of the busiest times of the year safely and in style.
Whether you are heading off on a road trip, driving to see friends or jetting off to the airport, Vision Zero Travel (VST) has all the information you need to stay safe.
A spokesperson for VST said: “Summer driving places unique strains on the driver with longer unfamiliar journeys, distraction in the car, heat, and often lack of sufficient sleep.
“We want to help drivers manage that load, help them to plan and encourage them to make regular breaks during the journey.
“We care about getting you there.”
One of the best ways to prepare for travel is to spend some time carrying out FLOWERY checks: fuel, lights, oil, water, electrics, rubber and you.
This will help to reduce the chances of your vehicle breaking down, prevent expensive repair bills as well as keeping your passengers safe by ensuring you are fit to drive.
The spokesperson added: “Even if you’re not going very far, checks done on a regular basis will help to keep you safe and your vehicle in good running order - especially if you are using your vehicle for the first time in several weeks.
“Planning your journey, with regular stops, is a great way of keeping calm and well on long journeys, especially if it’s a place you haven’t visited before.
“We add ‘you’ at the end because your mental well-being and state of mind are both extremely important when it comes to being safe and alert on the road.
“If you’ve covered all the elements of ‘flowery’, then you know you’ve done a comprehensive check."
Here are some of our top tips:
Vision Zero Travel is part of South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership’s ambition to eliminate all death and serious injury from our roads.
The partnership has set an ambitious target of halving all KSIs (the number of people killed or seriously injured) by 2030.
“We want everyone to enjoy this Summer and we all have a part to play in helping everyone get where they’re going as quickly and as safely as possible,” added the spokesperson.
“If you’re unsure of anything, take your vehicle to a garage where they will be happy to help."
Whether you are heading off on a road trip, driving to see friends or jetting off to the airport, Vision Zero Travel (VST) has all the information you need to stay safe.
A spokesperson for VST said: “Summer driving places unique strains on the driver with longer unfamiliar journeys, distraction in the car, heat, and often lack of sufficient sleep.
“We want to help drivers manage that load, help them to plan and encourage them to make regular breaks during the journey.
“We care about getting you there.”
One of the best ways to prepare for travel is to spend some time carrying out FLOWERY checks: fuel, lights, oil, water, electrics, rubber and you.
This will help to reduce the chances of your vehicle breaking down, prevent expensive repair bills as well as keeping your passengers safe by ensuring you are fit to drive.
The spokesperson added: “Even if you’re not going very far, checks done on a regular basis will help to keep you safe and your vehicle in good running order - especially if you are using your vehicle for the first time in several weeks.
“Planning your journey, with regular stops, is a great way of keeping calm and well on long journeys, especially if it’s a place you haven’t visited before.
“We add ‘you’ at the end because your mental well-being and state of mind are both extremely important when it comes to being safe and alert on the road.
“If you’ve covered all the elements of ‘flowery’, then you know you’ve done a comprehensive check."
Here are some of our top tips:
- Keep your fuel tank at least one quarter full to avoid running out on your journey. This will help you to avoid breaking down and potentially putting yourself and others at risk.
- Check headlights, indicators, reversing lights, fog lights and brake lights work properly.
- Maintaining the correct oil level is essential to prevent your engine from seizing up and breaking down. Also check brake and power steering fluid. Do these when your engine is cold.
- Keep your windscreen clear - check that the washer fluid are topped up.
- Check your windscreen wipers and other electric components like the radio, and air con.
- Check your tyre tread. The tyre tread must be a certain depth depending on the type of vehicle. For cars, light vans and light trailers you must have a tread depth of no less than 1.6 mm.
- Plan your route and plan breaks during your journey.
- Are you fit to drive? Drink, drugs, fatigue, and emotional state all have an impact on how safely we drive.
Vision Zero Travel is part of South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership’s ambition to eliminate all death and serious injury from our roads.
The partnership has set an ambitious target of halving all KSIs (the number of people killed or seriously injured) by 2030.
“We want everyone to enjoy this Summer and we all have a part to play in helping everyone get where they’re going as quickly and as safely as possible,” added the spokesperson.
“If you’re unsure of anything, take your vehicle to a garage where they will be happy to help."
