SharpDrive Have More Safety Driving Tips

SharpDrive know that driving is the number one risk for most businesses, and this risk can be mitigated the easy way with SharpDrive’s online fleet driver training. This month they are talking about loose objects.

 

It happens so easily; the barbecue bottle is emply and the guests are on their way, so you just drop it into the back seat and race off to fill it. But, what happens if your car stops suddenly? The gas bottle won’t stop. It flies forward with a force that increases with the square of the speed. For example, at just 50 kilometres, it becomes a 190 kilogram force. At 70 kilometres, it becomes a 300 kilogram force and at 100 kilometres it becomes a massive 700 kilogram force.

 

People get killed or seriously injured in otherwise survivable crashes by the contents of their vehicles. Drivers have been killed by a briefcase on the back seat. The seat back is not strong enough for this kind of force, and it can cause catastrophic damage to your spine or soft organs. An umbrella on the back shelf becomes a spear that can go through a windscreen and anything in between, and even a pen can act like a bullet.

 

Here are some morre examples of potential missiles. Business samples, brochure or file boxes, laptops, cameras or technical equipment, tools, hard hats, sportsgear and, of course the supermarket shopping. What about when you move house or go on a trip? Passengers can fly over the seat back with enough force to break your neck or smash your restraint. For your own safety, the inside of your vehicle needs to be tidy, with everything secured so that you could survive a crash or a rollover.

 

SharpDrive have the following safety checklist. Firstly, declutter your car. Remember small items are hazzards which can fly around – you can’t stop with a drink bottle stuck under the brake peda. Secondly, ensure all passengers are belted up, as much for your own safety as for theirs. Thirdly, stow items on the floor between the seats. Fourthly, work vehicles should have cage barriers and restraints fitted to protect the front seat passengers. Number five, never put anything on the back shelf, and number six, keep all pets in a cage or pet harness – they are a distraction, as well as a hazzard. Number seven, put a seatbelt around and then ghrough the handles of big items like suitcases or pet cases, and number eight, restrain big heavy items in the boot as well; their momentum can smash through the seat back.

 

Remember, for your own safety keep your vehicles as empty as possible, and saving weight saves fuel too. For more information on SharpDrive and their driver training programmes and advanced driver training, please go to http://www.sharpdrive.co.nz .