Road Safety for Drivers

At Mitsubishi Motors we want to make sure you have all the information you need to help you stay safer on the roads. Find out how you can drive smarter, safer and more economically with helpful information on safe motoring.

Improving road safety

Improving road safety takes well designed transport infrastructure, cars equipped with intelligent safety technology and full understanding of road safety and speed limits.

A serious road accident happens every 20 minutes in the UK with 1,770 people killed on UK roads in 2018.

Main causes of road accidents in the UK

To stay safe while driving you need your full attention on the road at all times

Distracted Drivers

Calling or texting on a phone is still the number one cause of road accidents, but eating food, putting on make up, reaching for an object or even reading a book were all recorded causes of accidents in 2018.

Speeding

Despite having some of the safest roads in the world, speeding is still a major cause of accidents in the UK and carries a fine of £100 or more, 3 penalty points on your driving licence and attendance of a Speed Awareness course.

Alcohol and Drugs

Slowing reactions and reducing your ability to spot hazards, even a small amount of alcohol can put you over the limit.

Dangerous Driving

Aggressive driving, illegal overtaking and racing other drivers are all forms of dangerous driving that account for 10% of serious accidents.

Tips for safer driving

Slow down. Stay focussed. Simple changes to your driving can make a huge difference.

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast

Reducing how fast your drive can be a genuine life-saver, giving you more time to react if the car in front suddenly brakes or a pedestrian steps out into the road. What’s more, approaching junctions and roundabouts at a low, controlled speed can lessen the need to brake hard and actually reduce how often you need to come to a stop.

Don’t get distracted

Hazards can come from anywhere, especially when driving in towns and cities, but rural roads should be taken equally seriously. Never look at your phone while driving and take advantage of any voice or steering wheel controls your car has. If your car connects to your phone, ensure you do this before you start driving.

Give yourself time

Anticipation is key to driving safely. Look ahead for possible hazards. If you’re on the motorway or dual carriageway take note of when you pass an exit, because you know an entrance is coming up soon and you might have to move out.

When you come up to traffic lights, a good rule of thumb is to stop while you can still see the rear wheels of the car in front.

Guide to driving in Rain

In the UK we’re no strangers to rain showers, but not every driver acknowlegdes that driving in the rain or on wet roads effects many different aspects of driving, from how well we can see, to how long it takes to stop.

It takes longer to stop

Remember that stopping distances increase when the roads are wet and the faster you’re travelling, the bigger the increase. If you’re travelling at 30mph, your stopping distance doubles, but if you’re going at 60mph its triple. Leave at least a two second gap between you and the car in front.

The two second rule

The Highway Code recommends leaving at least a two second gap between you and the car in front at all times. Use a static object like a road sign to measure the distance. In wet weather you should double this distance to at least four seconds.

Make yourself easy to see

Turning your headlights on in rain is important because rain and spray reduce your visibility, but even if you’re driving in the daytime, headlights are an essential way to keep you visible to other motorists, who’ll see you a lot sooner through the rain.

Keep things cool to avoid misting

Rain on the windows leads to a build up of condensation inside the car as the air in the cabin is warmer than it is outside. Use your air conditioning to stop your windows misting up and keep you view of the road crystal clear.

Save yourself from glare

Something it’s easy to overlook when driving in wet weather is what happens when the rain stops. The water-covered surface of the road reflects sunlight like a mirror, so one of the most counter-intuitive tips for driving in the rain is to make sure you have sunglasses on hand in case the sun comes out.

Keep your car in top condition

You can get these services at any Mitsubishi service centre

Keep your windscreen crystal clear

Make driving in downpours even safer with DuxBack, a powerful treatment for your windscreen that beads water making it flow off the glass more quickly.

Get a ten point vehicle safety check

Ensure your tyres, battery and electrics are in working exactly as they should be and be ready for winter with a ten point safety check.

Ensure your tyres are winter ready

Make sure your tyres are ready for the cold weather and have enough tread to cope with icy conditions with a free tyre check.

Find a service centre