We are fortunate to be in a county with a welcome mix of urban facilities and peaceful countryside, which we may now be able to enjoy a little more.
Limitations remain to an extent but with the Covid-19 situation easing, we are likely to be getting around more this summer. For work, business, education, or to see the fine sights the county of Surrey offers.
The roads we use should improve, with Surrey County Council funding extra work and exploring better maintenance contracts. How we use those roads will still be key to enjoying our journey and arriving safely.
As glorious as the views and facilities of Surrey are, our road safety and driving records are not so noteworthy.
Speed Brings Damage
Two of the three most dangerous roads in the UK for speeding are the Surrey stretches of the M3 and M25. Even with lockdowns and home working, in 2019-20, they saw almost 37,000 recorded speeding offences.
Safety has improved overall, due to seat belt wearing and vehicle design but Surrey remains high on the list, for injuries and fatalities. The link between this and excessive speed is long established.
If average speeds on our roads fell by just 1%, the number of crashes would fall by 5%. Cutting speed by 5%, would halve the number of fatalities.
Neither is the issue all about the young, or motor cyclists. They are more likely to be involved in accidents but all of us can contribute to making Surrey’s roads and communities a safer place, with a few changes.
A Safer Approach
Surrey police and fire services often have the task of dealing with accidents. The suggestions they produce to avoid them are based on experience:
- Wear a seat belt at all times, including on short journeys, even when you are familiar with the roads.
- Don’t get distracted by your phone, satnav, instruments, or music player and take your eyes off the road.
- Drinking and driving, even the morning after is bad news. If you’re going out, have an agreed driver.
- Taking drugs and driving is as much of an issue, they slow reaction times and reduce concentration.
- Keeping to speed limits matters, as does reducing speed even more in wet, or other difficult conditions.
- A car isn’t a tool to impress, your passengers will be more impressed by your skill and arriving safely.
- Using “P” plates after you have passed your test will make sure other drivers offer you due consideration.
Being aware is the key, of your own actions and those of others. Keeping a good distance from the vehicle in front helps you to cope with other people’s mistakes, or sudden incidents, to plan ahead in real time.
If you see a problem on the road, from disrepair, to speeding near schools, or other safety issues, you can report this to the Surrey highways team. This will help them to plan and prioritise work on our roads.
As a Surrey removals company, we spend much time on the road and really appreciate good driving. Far better than witnessing the outcome of accidents we can all prevent, please stay safe and enjoy your journey.
