How to avoid crashing your car

Crumple zones, anti-lock brakes and, before them, seatbelts have dramatically improved safety for car drivers, but they have also allowed motorists to subtly abdicate their duty of care to themselves and others. The point is, now we have better cars, we need to be better drivers.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists looked at data on 700,000 road traffic collisions and found that poor driving and driver error was under-reported; in its reporting of road deaths the media understandably focuses on speeding, drink driving, mobile phone use and tailgating.

The reporting form used by police at the scene of a collision allows for the recording of up to six of the factors which are considered to have contributed to the accident occurring.

Contributory factors in fatal collisions

Driver error: 65.3% (of which, ‘Failed to look properly’ accounts for 20.5%,
‘Failed to judge other person’s path or speed’ 11.6%, Loss of control 34.0%, Poor turn or manoeuvre 12.0%)

‘Injudicious’ action: 31.4% (of which breaking the speed limit accounts for 13.9%, Travelling too fast for conditions 15.9%)

Behaviour or Inexperience: 28.0% (of which Careless, reckless or in a hurry accounts for 17.2%, aggressive driving 8.3%)

The data is a subjective indication of the causes of collisions, but the results can be used to highlight areas for further investigation, and for drivers, the need to pay more attention. A failure to look properly, excessive speed and factors such as ‘careless, reckless or in a hurry’, could all be addressed by a calmer, more measured style of driving.

In a nutshell, slow down and look properly.

Safer driving is greener driving

Making small changes to your driving style, and how you use your car while driving, can make big differences to your environmental impact.

1. Where possible drive with the windows up to reduce drag and reduce fuel consumption.
2. Try not to be in a hurry. Stressed driving can be erratic, uneconomical and dangerous. Relax and try to enjoy the trip.
3. Try not to beat the lights. The chances are that if you hit a red light and then try to beat all the following lights, you will rush but miss them anyway.
4. Air conditioning should be limited as it uses more fuel.
5. Switch off the engine if you think you will stationary for more than two minutes.
6. Keep your speed down as driving at around 50 mph means your emissions will be lowest. Driving over 70mph will rapidly increase your emissions. It can cost you up to 25% more in fuel to drive at 70mph compared to 50mph.
7. Avoid unnecessary revving or idling of the engine as this uses more fuel.
8. Harsh acceleration and braking can use up to 30% more fuel and can cause increased wear and tear on the vehicle.
9. Control your speed Speed limits are there to be observed. As your speed increases beyond 60mph, your level of pollution increases.
10. Careful motorway driving improves safety and traffic flow. The concertina effect caused by one motorist braking sharply often results in traffic slowing to a near stop due to the delayed reaction of drivers behind. You can help prevent a concertina by leaving an adequate distance between yourself and the car in front.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.