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8 million motorists put their safety at risk as clocks go back
- One fifth of drivers neglect basic car maintenance checks
- RIAS provides top ten tips for winter driving
As the clocks go back this Sunday, new research from specialist insurer RIAS has
revealed that nearly 8 million1 UK motorists are putting their safety at risk by not
taking vehicle safety precautions during the darker winter months.
With darkness now creeping in ahead of the rush hour traffic, and 40% of all
collisions occurring during night time hours2, the over 50s motor insurer is urging all
motorists to ensure that their cars are kept in good condition to mitigate any
accidents.
One fifth (21%) of UK motorists admit to never checking that their car is safe other
than when they take their car into the garage for their annual MOT. This means
that basic vehicle maintenance such as regularly checking oil levels, brake fluid,
tyre tread, wiper blades, and water levels can go unexamined for 12 months at
a time, with potentially serious implications for the driver and other motorists.
Janet Connor, Managing Director at RIAS comments: ‘Now that we have waved
goodbye to summer and winter is firmly on its way it is more important than ever
for motorists to spend a few minutes each month checking over their cars. The
darker conditions can make it difficult to judge both speed and distance, so by
adjusting to the season and performing regular checks, motorists can avoid both
accidents and financial headaches.”
RIAS has put together the following ten top tips for motorists to adjust to winter
driving:
- Check your brakes – make sure they are in good condition and that there
is sufficient brake fluid.
- Ensure that both the tyre condition and pressure are correct.
- If there is snow and ice, use high gears to reduce the need for sudden
deceleration or acceleration.
- Always make sure the windscreen is clean and clear, and that there is
plenty of screenwash.
- Allow extra time for journeys – try to avoid rushing.
- In fog watch your speed – fog can give the impression of slow motion in
oncoming traffic.
- Keep your distance – don’t get too close to the car in front.
- Always take a mobile phone with you in case of emergencies, but only
use it when your vehicle is stationary and the engine is turned off.
- Make sure you know where your front and rear fog lights are – and use
them in severe fog.
- Driving in the dark should be avoided where possible, as the number of
accidents increases in lower light levels.
For more information about motor insurance available from RIAS, as well as the
full product range, visit www.rias.co.uk or call 0800 013 5055.
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Notes to editors:
1 All figures, unless stated otherwise, from Optimum Research. Total sample size was 2,054 adults over the age of 18 years. Fieldwork was undertaken from 5-9 June 2009. The survey was carried out online. The research shows that 78% of the UK population own a car, equivalent to 38m people, based on UK adult population of 48.7m (Source: Population projections by ONS, 2009). Of these motorists, 21%, equivalent to 7.98m people, admitted they never check their brake fluid, tyre tread, wiper blades, water or oil levels.
2 Source: The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA)
http://www.rospa.com/roadsafety/advice/driving/nighttime.htm
For further information, please contact:
Blair Catchpole, Consumer Communications Executive, 01202 254489 / 07909 222026,
blair.catchpole@fortis-uk.com
Lucy Pope, Consumer Communications Manager, RIAS, 01202 254445, lpope@rias.co.uk
About RIAS
RIAS was established in 1992 and is a specialist provider of insurance products for the
over 50s age group.
Part of Fortis (Insurance UK), RIAS has a million motor, home and travel insurance customers, employs over 1,100 people across two UK sites, and is one of the UK’s fastest organically growing insurance intermediaries. RIAS negotiates with a panel of insurers to secure competitive, value for money products.
As a leading provider of award-winning personal and commercial lines insurance solutions in the UK, Fortis has a successful customer-centric strategy, founded on aligning its activities to how customers want to buy insurance, combined with delivering high quality products, manufactured at costs better than market norms.
Insuring in excess of 7 million customers and working with a range of partners, Fortis is recognised for delivering consistent and high-quality customer experiences. In 2008, its non-life profit before tax and interest was £76 million and its non-life GWP was £760 million.