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Where there’s a blame there’s a claim. But more importantly, where there’s a blame there’s someone who could have acted differently. There are many ways of avoiding a collisions, some of which can be done well in advance of your intended journey.

>> How can I make myself safer in the car?

It’s not just objects outside the car that cause damage in a collision. Most vehicles now carry so much protection that outwardly they absorb most of the damage and so the collisions actually occur within the vehicle itself.

Seat belts – In 1983* the wearing of seatbelts in the front of vehicles became compulsory. Since then it is estimated that they have reduced serious casualties by 590,000 and saved 50,000 lives. Seatbelts not only protect you, they will also stop you killing the driver in front if you are not restrained in the back, which is not a nice way to repay your mate who stayed sober to give you all a lift home from the pub.

Loose objects – Several years ago Jimmy Savile demonstrated the dangers of loose objects in cars by putting an egg in a box and shaking it around. He also put a group of cub scouts on the Corkscrew to eat their packed lunch, but they had shoulder harnesses. Now then now then, the point is that if your car is in a collision then everything inside keeps moving. This includes you, your passengers and even the box of tissues on your parcel shelf, which incidentally, at thirty miles per hour will hit you with the force of a house brick. Even the seat belt in the middle of the back seat can swing round and smack your passenger in the face, causing serious injury. And as for all your Worldly belongings that are packed to the roof on your journey back to university, that doesn’t bear thinking about.

Public Transport – If the above has put you off driving then you can always turn to public transport and let someone else take over the wheel. The Transport Direct website (see links page) offers information on public transport in your area, meaning you can relax and enjoy your night without worrying about driving home. But if climbing on board the peasant wagon is not your cup of tea, then read on.

Route planning – Driving around a familiar place is bad enough, and if you’re busy searching for the M69 slip road you won’t see the speeding premier league footballer coming up behind you. So check out your route before you go on the many websites providing this service – just type ‘route planner’ into any search engine.

If you get lost in a city centre then railway stations are always a good place to head to, as they are well signposted and usually in the heart of town. They also contain information as to where you are in relation to the rest of the city. If you’re really lost they’ll tell you which city you are in.

Also keep a note of 24 hour supermarkets as these often have petrol stations and other amenities that you might need when everywhere else is closed.

Finally ensure you know where the all-night car parks are, as that way your evenings won’t be wasted driving around looking for a suitable place to leave your car until the clubs kick out at four in the morning.

Avoid breakdowns – There are fewer petrol stations in the country now than there has ever been in the last one hundred years. So to avoid spending all night trying to find one of these fast disappearing oases in the desert of concrete and tarmac, make sure that you have enough fuel before you start any journey. You can also avoid the embarrassment of standing by your car waiting for your Dad to pick you up by joining a breakdown organisation. This will cost you less then fifty quid per year and not only will they guarantee you’ll get home if you break down, they also offer piece of mind even if you never need to call them.

>>> What is Hazard Perception?

Hazard Perception is the ability to recognise a potential danger and act on it if that danger becomes real. It’s like knowing that your parents are downstairs – you know that the danger exists of them walking uninvited into your room, but it’s only when you hear their footsteps on the stairs that you need to act on the impending threat of being rumbled.

The roads possess many dangers too and you need to be aware of them all if you are to safely navigate your way through your journey.

And the earlier you can spot these hazards the more prepared you will be to avoid them if they become real dangers.

Ice cream vans in a street should tell you that children will be about, just as a street lined with wheelie bins will tell you that there will be workmen in the road. If you’re driving round a built up area anytime after three o’clock you need to be aware of children leaving school and if you see a random football rolling into the road it may swiftly be followed by a future Wayne Rooney who’s oblivious to road safety.

>>> How can I drive safer on the motorway?

Statistically, motorways are the safest roads on which to travel. However, they can still present a daunting prospect for young drivers who have very little experience of using them. The key to safer motorway driving is to always be aware of what vehicles are on the road ahead, around and behind you. Also remember that the different speeds of vehicles on the motorway can vary greatly, from the slow moving hauliers carrying wide loads at 30mph to the fools who use the road as a racetrack and travel at speeds of anything above 100mph.

Looking far ahead will help, as knowing what is happening in the distance will give you plenty of time to adjust your own driving to suit the situation. It will also give you an indication of what the cars in front will do. And be aware that you will also approach hazards further up the road a lot quicker than you would on other roads.

You also need to leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front. A suitable distance can be ensured by picking a stationary landmark, like a bridge or streetlight, and counting the time difference between you and the car in front. Once the car in front passes that landmark, allow yourself two seconds to reach the same point. If you pass it in less than two seconds then you need to ease gently off the accelerator to create more space. In wet weather count to four.

Motorways are also very unpredictable in terms of traffic flow, so give yourself plenty of time if you have a deadline. That way you won’t be tempted into speeding to make up time if you get stuck.

>>> How can I drive safer in built up areas?

With the increased number and variety of hazards in built up areas, it’s no surprise that most collisions occur here. A different attitude to driving is needed, with the emphasis placed on arriving safely as opposed to arriving quickly.

• At junctions, look left as well as right. It sounds obvious but many collisions happen when drivers pull out of a road and into oncoming vehicles that are in the wrong lane overtaking parked or slow-moving vehicles.
• Wind down windows to allow yourself to hear oncoming vehicles that you cannot see, either at junctions or when pulling out of driveways. It will also help if you turn your stereo down.
• Driving at a safe distance from the car in front will give you time to react to unexpected manoeuvres. This will also offer you a better view of the road ahead, especially if you are behind larger vehicles.
• If you find yourself lost then turn your stereo off and slow down. This will allow you to concentrate and give you more time to find your way.
• Keep calm and allow yourself plenty of time to make your journey. Putting yourself under extra pressure and rushing is when collisions occur.