Driving too fast for the conditions is a leading cause of serious injuries in road crashes. The faster you travel, the less time you have to respond to hazards. If you crash, the impact will be greater resulting in more severe injuries.
Road conditions
Slow down and take particular care:
- on narrow, winding roads where you can’t see far ahead
- on corners, where you’ll lose traction if you’re going too fast
- on gravel surfaces, so it’s easier to keep control of your vehicle
- at road works.
Other road users
Slow down and take particular care:
- in areas where lots of trucks are on the road, they take longer to stop and have different speed limits to cars
- at holiday times when lots of visitors are on your local roads often looking for places to stop
- if there are cyclists sharing the road
- in areas near schools, sports grounds and shopping malls, where there are lots of pedestrians about.
Weather conditions
Slow down and take particular care:
- in rain, snow and ice, because it takes longer to stop after you brake
- in fog which reduces visibility
- when windy, as gusts can make your vehicle less stable
- in bright sun, which can catch you unawares and reduce your vision, especially in winter when the sun is lower in the sky.
Last updated: 20 April 2009