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As Autumn sets in and the weather becomes more unpredictable, drivers are encouraged to make simple pre-journey T.R.I.P tests.
- Top–up – fuel, oil and screen wash
- Rest – take a rest break every two hours
- Inspect – check tyre pressure and tread
- Prepare – have a plan for all weather conditions
October is Tyre Safety Month and TyreSafe recommends checking your tyres at least once a month and before a long journey.
Worn, underinflated, or damaged tyres are a major cause of collisions and breakdowns, accounting for more than 53,000 recorded breakdowns on major roads in 2024. More than 190 people were killed or seriously injured in 2023 in tyre-related collisions, yet too many drivers neglect basic checks. Find out more about tyre checks here.
Vehicle checks can make a big difference to your safety and to other road user's safety. Watch the videos to find out how to perform simple checks.
On Sunday 26th October, the clocks will go back an hour meaning the days will become shorter and it will become darker even earlier. Longer periods of darkness combined with unpredictable autumn and winter weather increases the risk of road traffic collisions.
Drivers - make sure all lights are clean, working and adjusted properly. Use headlights whenever visibility is reduced - it will help others to see you, but don't dazzle others with your main beam. Reduce your speed if visibility and conditions are poor and take extra care to look out for people walking, cycling or riding a motorbike.
Cyclists check that your bike has a white front light, a red rear light and a red rear reflector. White front reflectors can also help you to be seen, and spoke reflectors will help other road users see you from the side.
Pedestrians and cyclists wear something fluorescent and reflective to help drivers see you from a distance – giving them extra time to react. Fluorescent clothing shows up best in the daytime and reflective clothing is best at night.
In the photos below you can see how much more visible the child on the right wearing the hi-visibility jacket is compared to the child on the left wearing normal coloured clothes. Even a small reflective key ring hanging from a bag, or a reflective stripe on a coat, can make a big difference in how soon a driver notices a pedestrian at night or on a gloomy day.
The law states that children must use a car seat until they are 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. However, it is safer to keep your child seated in a car seat beyond 135cm. Bradford Council along with Good Egg Safety have held numerous successful car seat checking events across the district this year. There are still upcoming events across West Yorkshire, including one at Morrisons 5 Lane Ends on Monday 27th October between 10am-3pm. The check will only take a few minutes and there is no cost.
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