A pedestrian hit at 30mph has an 80% chance of survival. At 40mph, it’s 10%.
Using a mobile ‘phone while driving adversely affects driver performance in a number of different ways; namely reaction times, judgement and awareness.
The risk of being involved in a collision is four times higher when using a mobile ‘phone when driving than when not using one. Additionally, you will have worse reaction times than someone who is driving after drinking alcohol at the legal limit.
Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs doesn’t just put the driver’s life in danger – it’s also all the passengers, the drivers and passengers of other cars, cyclists, and anyone walking on the pavement.
In a car crash you are twice as likely to die if you don’t wear a seatbelt. Drivers with no seatbelt face on-the-spot fines of £60. If prosecuted, the maximum fine is £500.
When driving, hitting a child at 18mph outside a school is the equivalent of them falling out of their bedroom window. At 27mph it’s the 3rd floor window.
Drink driving carries penalties of 6 months imprisonment, a £5000 fine and a 3-year driving ban. Killing someone through careless driving is 14 years imprisonment.
Front and rear lights are required by law if you are cycling at night. More importantly, cycling at night with no lights makes you invisible to cars, greatly increasing the risk of collision.