Todmorden News

Calderdale Residents Asked To Keep Their Distance

On average 145 adults and children are injured on Calderdale’s roads every year because someone failed to stop their vehicle in time, colliding with the vehicle in front. Calderdale Council is now spearheading a road side advertising campaign to encourage drivers to ‘Think’ about the distance they leave between themselves and the vehicle in front.

100 Keep your distance signs are now appearing on Calderdale’s roads in an attempt to encourage motorists to stay at a safe distance. The signs will appear on roads with a history of these types of collisions.

Councillor Amanda Byrne, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development, said;

“Road safety is a something we take very seriously in Calderdale and we’re keen to make our roads even safer. Hopefully this campaign will encourage people to think about how close they are driving to the car in front – that bit of extra space can make all the difference, preventing injuries and even saving lives.”

A good guide to keeping a safe distance in good conditions is to obey the simple but effect ‘2 second rule’ – Calderdale Council’s Road Safety team have the following tips for drivers to stay safe:

• Watch for the vehicle ahead to pass a static marker point. A tree, a lamppost, a bridge or any fixed reference point. As the vehicle passes the fixed point, recite the following phrase at a normal speaking rate: “Only a fool breaks the two – second rule”. In poor weather conditions the gap should be at least double – that is, four seconds or more.

• By applying the ‘two second rule’ you will be keeping a one – metre gap for each mile per hour of your speed. This will do a lot to reduce your risk.

• If you feel the vehicle behind is following too closely (tailgating), it probably is. A way to control the gap on a clear road is to allow the following vehicle to overtake; this will make no difference to your journey time but it will increase your level of safety. Isn’t an antisocial driver better off in front of you?