Drive better, drive safer: How to help prevent Car Accidents

As of September 2022, according to the recent Government data, there were 40.8 million licensed vehicles being used on UK roads. Of this overall figure, 33.2 million of these vehicles were cars, used by the public to freely travel the country's vast road network as they go about their day-to-day lives. 

With such a vast number of cars on the roads, Road Traffic Accidents involving cars are a common occurrence. Driver errors, combined with high traffic volumes and other factors - such as weather conditions and poorly maintained roads - mean that such accidents are unfortunately highly likely to happen. 

But is there anything we can do to help prevent car accidents? Here, with help from the team at webuyanycar, we offer advice on how we can all make UK roads a safer place. 

If you drive, it's likely that you already think you're a good driver. After all, you wouldn't have passed your test if you weren't, right? However, over time, people can easily forget the basics they learned when getting a licence in the first place. 

With this in mind, here are some handy, effective tips for being a good and, most importantly, safe driver, to help prevent car and other road traffic accidents.  

Be calm, composed and confident

These are three key elements to being a good, safe driver. It is easy to become frustrated, and sometimes angry, when driving. But angry, frustrated drivers easily become bad drivers too. 

Staying calm and composed helps you make better, more confident judgements and decisions when driving, whilst ensuring your actions are more predictable for other drivers around you. Calm, clear thinking will help you understand and follow the laws of the road and be alert to potential hazards too.

Respect and obey road laws and speed limits

Sometimes forgotten (or simply ignored), the UK road laws and limits - including those outlined in the Highway Code of course - are there to be adhered to always, not when we feel like it. 

So, it is important to stick to speed limits, being considerate of the environment you're driving in, weather conditions and the state of the road; be aware of road signs and any action they require you to take; and generally, be a good, law-abiding and responsible driver. 

With laws, rules and regulations always subject to change, it is good practice to keep up to date with the latest version of the Highway Code. 

Drive smoothly and predictably

Even if you stick to all speed limits, drive in accordance with the road laws and follow the Highway Code to the letter, you could still be deemed an unsafe driver due to your driving style. 

A good driver is a smooth, predictable, and alert driver. It is important to accelerate, brake and steer in a smooth and responsible manner; always try to be progressive, not sudden, with your pedal and steering wheel inputs - sudden changes in speed and direction can impact other drivers around you, having a knock-on effect on their driving too. This has the potential to cause a Road Traffic Accident which could be deemed your fault - even if you're not involved in the incident itself. 

Smooth driving has the additional benefit of improving your fuel economy too, whilst also helping to take care of - and prolong the life of - your car's tyres, brakes, and other components which, as we'll now explain, is also an important part of being a safe driver. 

Look after your car and it'll look after you

A well-maintained car is a safer - and more enjoyable - car to drive. All cars use consumable parts which need to be looked after, and replaced when required, to ensure your car operates correctly and safely. 

For example, tyres should be checked regularly, to ensure they're at the correct pressure and have at least the legally-required tread depth, whilst it is important to routinely check your oil level and condition too. Don't forget to also check coolant and washer fluid levels. Ensuring your car is serviced, as advised by its manufacturer's guidance, is important for keeping your car in good mechanical condition, whilst all cars - except ‘classics' built over 40 years ago - must have a valid MOT to be deemed legally roadworthy. 

Additionally, it is important to keep your vehicle clean. Road grime and dirt can dramatically affect your visibility when driving, whilst you could be breaking the law if your number plates are not visible. Dirt can also damage your car's mechanical components and contribute to bodywork and chassis damage. 

Keep other drivers in mind

As a driver, you're sharing the UK's roads with millions of other drivers, who'll have varying levels of experience and confidence. This is why, to be a safe and responsible driver, it is vital to be alert, aware and considerate of everyone on the road, not just yourself. 

We've already highlighted the importance of being predictable for other drivers on the road, but equally you need to be prepared for the unpredictability of other drivers too. Always keep other drivers, and their potential actions, in mind and expect the unexpected - as much as is reasonably and safely possible. 

With other drivers in mind, you should always practise all the basic elements of good driving too, including using your indicators and lights correctly; changing lanes safely, when required, or otherwise sticking to the correct lane; keeping your distance; and always having your eyes on the road. 

The team at webuyanycar have, with guidance provided by Jonathan White, National Accident Helpline's Legal and Compliance Director, written a guide to what you should do if you're unfortunately involved in a car accident. 

Below is a quick list of actions to take if you're involved in such an accident, or any type of road traffic accident. 

What you must do immediately afterwards

• Stop the vehicle as soon and as safely as you can - you'll be committing an offence if you keep driving
• Turn off the engine ignition, put your hazard lights on and check if anyone in the car has been injured
• In a minor accident where nobody has been hurt, note it down. It's not unknown for people to try and claim for an injury at a later date
• If anyone involved has been injured or the road is blocked, call the police and an ambulance immediately on 999
• Stay calm and don't admit responsibility - that's for others to decide

Contact the police if…

• The other driver or drivers leave the scene without swapping vehicle and insurance details
• You suspect the other driver is uninsured or is under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• You think that the accident may have been caused deliberately

In these circumstances, make sure you report the road traffic accident to the police within 24 hours. This is important as not doing so is an offence. You may be fined, collect points, or even be disqualified. 

It also pays to make a note of which police constabulary office you reported it to, their contact details and the incident number they give you. This information will come in handy later if you make a road traffic accident compensation claim.

Collect key details at the scene of the accident

• The law says that if the road traffic accident causes injury, vehicle damage or both, you must swap names and addresses with everyone involved
• Make a note of the other vehicle's registration number, make, model and colour
• Exchange insurance details with the other driver(s). It's worth keeping a note of your motor vehicle insurer and policy number in a purse or wallet so you have them easily to hand
• Take a note of the names and addresses of any other passengers or witnesses
• Ask whether the other driver(s) is the registered owner. If not, ask who is (for instance if it's a company car)
• If the road traffic accident involves a vehicle on foreign plates, get the registration number (and country the vehicle is registered if possible), make, model and colour 
• If it was a commercial vehicle or HGV, get the registration numbers on the cab and the trailer as they can differ. Don't forget to take a note of the company name and contact details marked on the side too

Take notes and details of…

• The time and date of the crash plus make a note of the weather, road conditions and lighting if there was any
• The damage caused to the vehicles involved. Take pictures of the road traffic accident scene and the damage caused if it's safe to do so too
• Any injuries to drivers, passengers or other road users like cyclists or pedestrians
• Look for any CCTV cameras and make a note of their location

^{Last updated 30.03.23}