What causes accidents: speed
There is a well known saying from safety campaigns which simply says that "speed kills".
Although many people think that you have to be travelling really quickly in order to make an impact sufficient enough to seriously injure someone or to kill them - such as the sorts of speeds you see on the motorway - this is not actually the case.
Indeed even at what you might consider 'low' speeds, like those around streets in towns and cities, just a few mph can make a major difference to the strength of an impact and therefore the severity of an accident, whether or not it involves other people or is a single vehicle crash impact.
Going a little too fast is doubly dangerous. First of all, it means that you have less time to react to an unexpected situation - for instance something running across the road. But secondly, if you hit that object or person at the higher speed then the impact is much more severe too.
This is why you should always stick to speed limits even if you think it is safe to go quicker: it is never safe, because the unexpected could always happen. Travelling at 35mph instead of 30mph where that is the speed limit could lead to the difference between life and death for someone who gets involved in an accident with a pedestrian.
Related Articles...
The multiple choice theory test
This is the first part of the theory test, and is done at a computer rather than on paper. There are many places around the country whereby you are able to take the theory test. Your driving...
Your ignition warning light
When you turn on the electrical circuits in your car, then the ignition warning light will come on: make sure that this does indeed happen.
Once the engine itself is started, then the ignition...
Road conditions: dealing with fog
Fogs and mists are much more common at some times of the year than others. Particularly in the mornings and in the Autumn time of the year, fog can be commonplace, but whenever it occurs it is...
Vehicles that cannot be used for a practical test
The vast majority of drivers will of course use the vehicle of their instructor or driving school when they take their practical test and so will not need to worry about the vehicle.
However...
What is driving test theory?
Theory is something we understand when it comes to maths or science. A theory is a prediction as to why something that has usually been observed to happen does happen, and scientists use theories...
What to do if you breakdown at a level crossing
Driving is potentially dangerous, but it is important not to worry about things that could happen when driving but at the same time you should know what to do in the unlikely event that something...
Car Driving Theory Topics
When studying for the car theory test it is important to understand the types of topics that will be covered.
The theory test is there to satisfy European Community regulations and so the...
The automatic transmission explained
Whilst the automatic transmission system is very clever, you still need to have some control over it, and this is where the selector lever comes into play, which is in the place that you would have...
Your car and the lights on it
We are all used to seeing cars in the dark, and also seeing their indicators in the day to communicate to other car drivers. But what must you ensure with regard to the lighting of your...
How to pass the hazard perception test
First you need to understand just what a hazard is. Broadly, it is any element that can introduce risk into the driving scenario.
There are various different types of hazard that are...
Back to home page of driving theory test questions
