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Home  >  Car Travel  >  Road Safety

Road Safety

Don't drink / use drugs and drive

Alcohol affects your ability to drive. You risk a fine of up to £5,000, a minimum 12-month driving ban and a criminal record. 

Driving while unfit through drugs (illegal, prescribed or over-the-counter) is an offence which carries the same penalty as drink driving. If you take medicine for an illness, ask the doctor or chemist about side effects before you  drive. New drug drive legislation came into force in March 2015 which includes eight prescription drugs and makes it easier for police to catch and convict drug drivers.

To find out more visit the following websites:

Don't drive and use your mobile phone

Research suggests that if you are using a mobile phone while driving you are four times more likely to be involved in an accident.

Other research has shown that driver’s reaction times are up to 50% slower than normal when driving and using a mobile phone and that your reaction times are 30% worse than when driving under the influence of alcohol.

It is dangerous because a telephone conversation (or texting) distracts from the mental concentration needed to drive safely. You put yourself and other road users in danger.

You’re twice as likely to crash text driving as you are drink driving. You wouldn’t drink and drive. Don’t text and drive.

THINK! has produced a campaign to reduce handheld phone use amongst young drivers and coincide with a strengthening of the law around mobile phone use behind the wheel.  Take a look at the campaign here for further advice.  

Motorists are breaking the law if they use a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel for any use, including to take photos or videos, scroll through playlists or play games – as the government closes a loophole previously exploited by dangerous drivers to escape conviction.

Anyone caught using their handheld device while driving could face a fine of up to £1,000 as well as six points on their licence or a full driving ban.

Are you a focused driver?

Take part in this short interactive test produced by the Open University to see if you're a distracted driver.

New Drivers

Statistics show that new drivers are more likely to have an accident in the first two years after passing their test, due to lack of driving experience.  Drivers who have passed their test in the last two years who acquire six points on their licence, will need to re-take their test - further details can be found here.

Digital Magazines

First Car have published Young Drivers' Guide and Learning to Drive - The Parent's Guide 

Young Drivers can follow First Car on TikTok for advice about driving.

Get Your Coat App

Download Get Your Coat App a mobile phone app which provides intelligent travel planning, reminders and support for a great day, or night out.

Use the app to:
  • Set a designated driver who you can contact with one touch of a button, either phoning them or sending a message containing your location
  • Set your preferred taxi firm - if you can't get through or are visiting an area they don't cover, you can quickly search for and call other local taxi numbers
  • Have the app send you reminders for your train or bus 30 minutes before they depart - the countdown timer means you know exactly how much time you have left
  • Keep in touch - if you lose your friends or feel unsafe, you can quickly send a message including your location to friends or family
  • Let family and friends know you've arrived at your destination with the touch of a button
  • Use the built-in drinks tracker to keep an eye on how much you've had
  • Search for alternative transport and find links to help and support
Winter driving check list
  • Check your tyres - advice can be found on Tyre Safe website 
  • Make sure your windscreen and lights are clean
  • Keep an ice scraper and de-icer in your car
  • Pack an emergency kit including torch and batteries, warm clothes and blanket, boots, first aid kit, jump leads, mobile phone charger, and a drink, reflective warning triangle, shovel, road map, sunglasses and any medication you might need
Find out more:
Rules for riding a motorcycle

Visit the Gov.uk website motorcycle rules to find out about the rules for riding a motorcycle.

Always wear a helmet. It could save your life.

To find out more about motorcycle helmets and the law see:

Ride Free: online motorcycle training to improve road safety  

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have announced the introduction of Ride Free, a free online training course which you should complete before going for Compulsory Basic Training (CBT).  The training consists of five pre-course eLearning modules.  Full details of the course and how to enrol can be found here.

Ride Free has been developed by DVSA, Highways England and other partners to help new riders prepare for a lifetime of safe riding.

Find out more
Digital Magazines

First Car have published some magazines for further reading:

Ride On

First Bike

Work drivers

Driving is one of the most dangerous activities you will do in a working day. Up to a third of road accidents involve someone that is at work at the time. Ensuring the safety of people that drive for work is the responsibility of the employer but the driver must also be sure that their vehicle is safe and fit for purpose to remain safe and to stay within the law. See Driving for Better Business for advice on what to look out for before driving.

Mature drivers

Keeping up to date with modern motoring is essential to remaining safe on the roads. Taking note of an up-to-date highway code will be essential to understand modern traffic with active traffic management being just one of the things that have adapted the way we drive. With age eyesight may deteriorate and this is where it is essential to get regular eye tests in order to maintain your vision.  Age can also effect ability to judge speed and it is also necessary to check the effects of any medication you may be taking on your driving for your and other road users safety.

Digital Magazines

First Car have published DriveOn - The Essential Guide to Driving

Hard copies of this magazine are available by contacting us.

Older Drivers Forum

The Older Drivers’ Forum, are calling on all motorists aged over 65 to consider a regular driver's assessment. It comes as figures from the Department for Transport show a 45% increase since 2010, in the number of motorists aged over 70 who have been hurt or killed in accidents in the UK.

According to the Older Drivers' Forum, motorists aged over 70 are less likely to be involved in collisions involving speed, carelessness, or recklessness. But they are 38% more likely to be involved in collisions where they have failed to look properly and 55% more likely to be involved in collisions by failing to judge another person's speed or path. The Forum also predicts the number of older drivers will treble in the next 20 years.

Check out the free webinars with expert speakers, including Valerie Singleton OBE to help you to make informed motoring decisions and stay safe on your road journeys.

Useful links

The Highway Code

Full table of changes to the highway code 

Reported road casualties in Great Britain, 2020 data