We all know that roads can be dangerous places, for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike. In the UK alone five people die every day on the road, and 80 are seriously injured (a ten-year average from this research). That’s 28,967 serious injuries across Britain and Northern Ireland. The reality of the situation is that these are usually preventable tragedies, whether through driver failures, hazards, mechanical misfires or the conditions of the roads themselves.
This number sounds alarming, but there are plenty of measures that can be put in place to help improve road safety, and drastically reduce the chances of an accident occurring.
Road safety is vital, to protect drivers, passengers, cyclists and any pedestrians. If you want to know more about the measures which help to improve road safety, at the council level and on a personal level as a driver, see our brief guide below.
It’s important to maintain the surfaces of our roads to keep them safe. The RAC reported that their patrols attended 29,377 breakdowns due to potholes in 2023, for example. There are various types of road maintenance which can make all the difference in maintaining our road safety: surface dressing, surface sealing, asphalt planing & repair, and road planing are just some of these detailed below:
Surface dressing keeps roads safe by swiftly restoring roads to a great condition, and preventing damage. Factors such as temperature highs and lows and heavy traffic can create significant wear and tear which can deteriorate into potholes unless surface dressing is employed.
Road surface integrity can be maintained by surface sealing as soon as cracks appear. This protects against the intrusion of water, as well as wear and tear from vehicles, which can quickly break down a surface once a crack has weakened it.
When in a good state of repair, asphalt offers long-lasting durability. But when asphalt shows signs of deterioration, paving or repair is required to bring it back into prime condition.
Road planing is a cost-effective alternative to wholesale road surface removal and replacement. State-of-the-art machines efficiently plane off damaged surfaces and overlay new layers quickly. It’s a cheaper, quicker, and more environmentally friendly solution.
Strategically placed speed ramps or bumps are highly effective for reducing a car’s speed limit around sensitive areas such as schools or playgrounds. Ramps come in various different sizes that can be used for a specific use or area, such as those frequented by cars that have relatively high ground clearance.
Proper road safety education is key, so it’s important to raise awareness with information about road safety procedures and best practices. Resources such as the government’s Think! scheme has road safety teaching resources for children, or drivers can find out more from sites like the RAC with their safety resources, with information on everything from the law about driving without shoes, to how to report a dangerous driver.
Speed limits are vital to help keep drivers safe on the road and inform them of the maximum speed allowed in certain areas. They also give a good indication of which speeds are safest, which is why the speed limit is much lower in residential areas compared to motorways. Speed limits can be enforced through the use of speed cameras and fines, but a lot of the added safety they give relies on drivers choosing a safe, sensible limit that they feel comfortable with.
If you’re looking for professional surface dressing services, get in touch with the team at Hazell & Jefferies Ltd. We’re on hand to restore the condition of your roads and help prevent further deterioration, so give us a call today to discuss your requirements, or visit the website to find out more.
