Richard Hammond and the perils of motoring
Some people are just prone to having motoring accidents. We all know someone who is notorious for bumping into bollards, misjudging the distance between the nearest wall and their rear end, or always clipping the curb while parking.
TV star Richard Hammond is a case in point. According to news reports, the presenter was involved in another collision only last week, apparently damaging the front of his Morgan, valued at over £100,000, at a roundabout in Gloucestershire.
Hammond might simply be subject to fate and circumstance, but there is nothing glamorous about car accidents. According to official figures, although the annual number of road traffic accidents fell slightly last year, there were still over 170,500 accidents reported to the police that involved personal injury, of which over 25,000 involved serious injury or death.
So what can we do to minimise the risk of being involved in road accidents? Even experienced drivers can become a little lax in their motoring habits, so perhaps officially becoming an Advanced Driver is the answer.
Over 300,000 people have passed the official Advanced Test, which is accredited by the Driving Standards Agency, and involves completing a 30-40 mile drive encompassing all types of road and a variety of motoring hazards.
Advanced drivers focus on safety at all times, having been taught a system of car control and vehicle handling used by the police, as well as learning to anticipate and avoid hazards, maximising safety for themselves, their passengers and other road users.
Once a driver has achieved Advanced status, driving is said to be a more rewarding experience and there are further opportunities for continuous learning and improvement over time.
Clearly, not everyone will have the time and inclination to become an Advanced Driver. However, adhering to speed limits, following the Highway Code, maintaining appropriate stopping distances and choosing not to drive while tired or under the influence of alcohol are simple, common sense measures we can take.
This doesn’t seem too onerous in order to avoid ending up in the A&E department, accruing penalty points, involvement in Court proceedings – or worse, causing loss of life on the roads.