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Does Speed Kill?
Many of the orders we receive for lease cars, are for the base model without any extras. This is because these days so many of the items that were once extras are now standard even on entry models. At one time even a radio was an optional extra on a car leasing vehicle, let alone Satellite navigation or air conditioning. This meant there were very few distractions, which would cause the driver to loose concentration and take his eyes off the road. If drivers were lost they would pull into a petrol station and ask directions, if it was hot motorists would drive with their arm out of the window; although there was the slight risk of their arm going home in someone else’s car. All these things probably allowed drivers to keep awake on long trips. The University of Loughborough’s Sleep Research Centre carried out studies that showed that on roads that were classed as monotonous; motorways for example, drivers falling asleep were responsible for 20% of the accidents. These accidents become devastating when the driver is at the wheel of a heavy goods vehicle. In spite of the warnings many motorists continue to operate their satellite navigation and use their mobile phone whilst driving. We have surveyed our car leasing clients and many send and read text messages whilst at the wheel. Cruise control and air conditioning, both further distract motorists. It’s worth bearing in mind that satellite navigation is an option that is often not viable to fit as an extra to a contract hire vehicle, because as an extra it has little effect on the residual value of a lease car, particularly in the more basic cars. A more cost effective option is a Tom Tom system or something similar. Drivers frequently search for locations whilst driving but of course it makes it ever more hazardous if they are also going to remove their free standing satellite navigation system from the centre consol and plug it in, whilst on the move. Many drivers are prosecuted for talking on their mobile, whilst at the wheel; however where the real danger lies is when they dial whilst driving. Could it be that a driver is less dangerous talking on their mobile than to their passenger sitting next to them? The argument many use with regard to mobiles, is that the danger is in only having one hand on the wheel but in any event many drivers rest their hand on the gear lever whilst driving. Standards of driving vary considerably; there are drivers who drive fast when the conditions are right but have a high level of concentration and awareness. Could they perhaps be safer than the driver who is much slower but lacks concentration? Certainly they would be safer than the motorist who drives, albeit slowly, in a residential area whilst reading text messages. We are aware that when we recommend extras to car leasing clients, that many of these extras on a lease car are potential distractions. Cars are safer than they have ever been but on the other hand they have been rendered less safe by the amount of distractions that drivers have nowadays. Speed is invariably a factor in fatal accidents and that is easy to measure, the level of lack of driver concentration immediately before an accident is more difficult to gauge. There are three factors, which often go hand in glove, drink driving, excessive speed and lack of concentration; these factors combined are responsible for many road deaths. We arranged a contract hire vehicle for a client who is quite well known; soon after taking delivery of his new car he lost his license for being drunk at the wheel, which was embarrassing, because he was very active in the promotion of road safety. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Get extra free articles on vehicle leasing UK go to www.bowaterprice.com |
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