The facts:

• In 2005, 79% of the 499 billion vehicle kilometres travelled in Great Britain were accounted for by cars
• Motoring places a great responsibility on both the driver and other road users. According to the DfT's Road Casualties report 2006, over 90% of accidents involve either driver error or injudicious action and most could be prevented with a bit more consideration, care and common sense
• With its policy strategy document - "Tomorrow's roads: safer for everyone" - the Government has set clear targets to cut the number of deaths and serious injuries from road accidents by 40% by 2010
• To encourage motorists to drive more responsibly, the Government has introduced a number of measures to influence how, when and the way in which we travel. These include banning the use of hand held mobiles whilst driving, publishing advice such as resting before and during journeys and advice for motorists to help them take environmental issues into account when buying a car

RAC position:

• RAC supports Government initiatives and legislation to promote road safety and encourage motorists to drive more responsibly. With around seven million members, RAC takes a leading role in educating its members and the wider public, to promote road safety and encourage motorists to act more responsibly
• RAC fully supports the Government's THINK! campaigns to educate motorists on road safety issues
• To prepare first time drivers on the road, RAC also provides curriculum materials on road safety for schools including a grass routes programme on safer journeys to school, and through BSM's schools' programme (www.bsm.co.uk)
• RAC believes that education, campaigns and voluntary commitments by drivers are essential to improving behaviour on the roads. However, RAC research reveals that motorists believe tougher penalties and a lifelong learning approach to driver education would be the most effective measures for improving motorists' behaviour on the roads
• Log onto www.rac.co.uk for the latest information on a variety of motoring issues including driving when tired, use of mobile phones, tips on motorway driving and how to drive in a more fuel-efficient manner

For further information contact:

Telephone: 01603 681914
Email: jon.day@aviva.co.uk

Updated October 2007

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