Motor Industry News

The guys at mycarcheck.com love helping people buy new cars that are free from complications but of course they would rather the new car was a choice and not a necessity caused by a serious accident and a write-off. On average, five drivers or passengers are killed or injured on country roads in Strathclyde every day. The West of Scotland Road Safety Forum, working in partnership with Road Safety Scotland, launched a new campaign on Monday, September 27 – to help tackle it. Campaign research found that many Scottish drivers using country roads regarded them to be 'low risk' due to the fact that there is often less traffic on them and yet, statistically speaking, there is a significantly higher chance of death and injury on this type of road. 1,775 people were killed or injured on country roads in the West of Scotland in 2009. This new initiative uses radio to help target drivers when they are actually using country roads, and is supported by posters, online information together with high profile promotional activity in key public areas throughout West Scotland to directly engage with the public and raise awareness of the issue. Councillor Betty Cunningham, the Chairman of the West of Scotland Road Safety Forum said: "In Scotland, 75% of road deaths occur on country roads and addressing this issue is a high priority for the Forum and for the Scottish Government's Framework. "The Forum is keen to continue the excellent work already undertaken by Road Safety Scotland to help make Scottish roads safer. "During 2009, according to official data provided by Strathclyde Police, some of the most frequently reported causation factors in country road collisions were cited as being loss of control, a failure to look properly and driving too fast for the conditions. "The West of Scotland Forum is working closely with all our key partners and members to raise awareness of the specific hazards motorists face when driving in the countryside" Michael McDonnell, Director of Road Safety Scotland added: "We are pleased to support this important campaign; in using the imagery from our successful television and cinema campaign, it strongly reinforces the message. "It is ironic that many people perceive country roads to be safer places to drive due to the fact there is less traffic around - not considering the many unexpected risks caused by slow moving vehicles, animals, hidden junctions, and cyclists to name just a few. It is a fact that country roads claim more lives than any other type of road in Scotland" The country roads campaign will remind drivers:

They are not alone on country roads.

To look out for the myriad of hazards on the roads and be aware of the unpredictability of driving in the countryside.

They don't have to be speeding to be going too fast.

Not to become another stark statistic.

Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research for the Institute of Advanced Motorists said: "The IAM supports this vital initiative. We know from our own extensive research that drivers often choose the wrong speed for the conditions on country roads and, in many cases, take more risks because they think it is safe to do so. "It is this driving culture which we need to change and it's encouraging all the key stakeholders in road safety are working closely together to raise awareness and target lethal country road crashes" To check out the number of collisions occurring in your area of Scotland visit the Country Roads website - and don't be checking out a new car with mycarcheck.com because you have written off your old one on a country road!