Motorists warned as road accidents soar by 31 per cent at end of summer holidays
MOTORISTS in Lincolnshire are being warned to take extra care this week when driving home from their summer holidays.
New research from AXA car insurers says road accidents are set to soar by more than a third as the summer holidays come to an end.
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On Friday alone, motorists are 36 per cent more likely to have a crash than during the rest of the holiday season.
From now until then, motorists are 31 per cent more likely to have an accident, with each of these days showing a higher accident rate than anywhere else over the summer break.
Greville Burgess, a principal road safety co-ordinator from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, urged drivers to be safe on the roads.
He said: "What tends to happen is there are more collisions at the end of the main holiday season because the volume of traffic is higher.
"Fortunately, the severity of collisions are less serious and we see an increase in minor accidents with superficial damage only.
"Minor accidents when returning from holidays are usually caused by fatigue, lack of attention or arguments.
"Driving is all about not being stressed out, being calm and being aware of your surroundings.
"Keep your speed down, don't try to make up for lost time by breaking the speed limit, keep your distance from other vehicles on the roads and try to avoid being distracted.
"The message is simple – stay calm, stay alert and stay alive."
Craig Staniland, of AXA, supported Mr Burgess' advice.
He said: "The majority of accidents are down to driver error. Often, conditions when driving home from a holiday make it all the more stressful.
"A bit of planning can mitigate some of those pressures and make it a safer journey."
In light of the research, Superintendent Keith Owen, of Lincolnshire Police, reminded drivers of the importance of the road safety message.
He said: "The best way to reduce the likelihood of having an accident at any time of year is to drive safely within the speed limit, wear a seatbelt, not to use a phone while driving and never drink and drive."
8 Comments
by John, Hykeham
Thursday, September 02 2010, 9:46AM
“Sorry butting in Emma but you must have heard the saying "It is easier to see a splinter in an other person's eye than a tree in your own". Try as hard as you might you will not convince Haydn that he has jumped the light as well.”
by Emma, Lincoln
Thursday, September 02 2010, 12:40AM
“Will, you're supposed to stop behind the stop line on both amber and red irrespective of whether the traffic lights are next to it or on the other side of the junction.”
by Gnome Chomsky, At the Lights
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:43PM
“Emma, you are too kind. He saw the lights turn red. He jumped a red light.”
by Will, The Shire
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 6:34PM
“Emma,
What if, as at the majority of junctions, the lights were opposite? So instead of them being next to the white line, they were across the road. You could then cross the white line as the lights turn red and would still be 100% legal.”
by Emma, Lincoln
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 4:24PM
“http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070332
"You MUST stop behind the white ¿Stop¿ line across your side of the road unless the light is green. If the amber light appears you may go on only if you have already crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to stop might cause a collision."
He states he crossed the line as the lights went red, ergo he was behind the line when they went amber. I suppose he could play the 'too close to stop' card, but based on the given evidence, I am unconvinced.”
by Mr Magoo, Lincoln
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 2:34PM
“Amber¿ this warns traffic that it should stop unless it is unsafe to do so. In the UK it is legal to pass through an amber light, as the phase exists to warn drivers not yet at the junction that they will have to stop.”
by Emma, Lincoln
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 12:20PM
“So you admit to running the lights yourself, Haydn. Amber means stop, you know.”
by Haydn, North of Lincoln
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:40AM
“On a trip to Skeggy yesterday, saw;
3 aged +55 in a car run a red light - the lights changed to red as I crossed the line and they were a good car's length behind me!
Followed on the A52 (my terminology) a 'mono' doing 40mph in the 50mph limit and saw them blast htrough village 30mph limit at 40mph still - why I deem a 'mono' one speed any road usually 40! A trilby hat on the rear parcel shelf is an indentifier!”