Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Services help drivers return to the road after lockdown
- July 8, 2020
- 1:43 pm
Matt Head
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Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Services say they have had to change their road safety education all the way through. They have now issued some hints, tips, videos and advice for people who are looking to return to driving after a couple of months off.
As lockdown eases, they want people to remember the importance of road safety and how behave while driving.
Road Safety Manager Christine Sharma said: “Since lockdown, we have had to completely rethink how we deliver road safety education. There has been a dramatic decrease in the number of road traffic collisions during the pandemic. Our worry is that we will see more and more incidents now we’re moving to the ‘new normal’. We’re encouraging all drivers to take a bit of time online – going through the advice and making sure that they’re mentally prepared to be back on the roads.”
This includes knowing the ‘fatal four’ main reasons for loss of life in road traffic collisions:
- Use of mobile phones
- Non-use of seatbelts
- Excessive speed
- Drink or drug driving
Advice also includes knowing how to use the FLOWER acronym to keep your car maintained.
In addition, they have created three new digital resources to help as many people as possible:
- The first leaflet is for all drivers, and includes the importance of checking your vehicle’s roadworthiness, especially if affected by the current MOT exemption.
- Leaflet two is aimed at older drivers, showing how they can prepare physically and mentally to return to the road.
- Leaflet three addresses newly qualified drivers who won’t have been able to build up their skills and confidence since lockdown, and also looks at peer pressure.
