Road safety 'should be new year's resolution'

Date: 5/1/2011

Abandoning bad habits when behind the wheel should be considered as part of a road safety-focussed new year's resolution, local authority members in Surrey have urged.

According to Hemel Today, Surrey County Council and Surrey Police are asking locals to give up any dangerous habits they may indulge in while in control of a vehicle, such as applying make-up or even changing their clothes.

The advice forms part of the groups' Drive SMART road safety campaign, launched in 2009, which also aims to tackle problems such as people sending text messages while in control of a car, driving too close behind the vehicle in front or consuming alcohol before hitting the road.

However, the initiative appears to be working, with Dr Andrew Povey, Leader of Surrey County Council, explaining that within the first year of the campaign's launch, 80 fewer people were killed or seriously injured while on the roads in Surrey, when compared to the previous 12 months.

"A new year's resolution to put an end to bad driving habits would help us further reduce this figure by making our roads safer and more pleasant for everyone," he added.

As a result of the campaign, the news provider claims that police officers in Surrey have taken action against drivers 47,000 times while patrolling the county's roads.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists also recently suggested making road safety a new year's resolution by taking an advanced driving course.

Posted by Sarah Bailey