What is Risk? And how do we manage it?

Please remember, this is not designed to worry you, simply to help you understand what risks are and how to reduce them. 😊

The Definition of Risk

  • A situation involving exposure to danger.
  • The possibility or threat of damage, injury, liability, loss or any other negative occurrence, inside or outside the vehicle, that maybe avoided through pre-emptive action.
  • There is risk in all areas of life, and risk management is something we do daily, whether we are driving, or simply crossing the road, often without realising we are doing it.

Consequences of Risk

  • Risk to your life, or the lives of your passengers.
  • Risk to other road users.
  • Serious or Fatal injuries.
  • Disabilities.
  • Damage to Vehicle or property.
  • Loss of mobility.
  • Loss of job.
  • Loss of Independence.

So how can we minimise Risk? 

Think… Mmm???

  • Monitor – How? – Scan and Plan, Look where you are going, Concentrate.
  • Minimise – How? – Obey Road signs, signals and markings. – ALWAYS wear a seatbelt.
  • Manage – How? – Assess the risk, is it Low, Medium, or High. – Use your Procedures (such as MSMPSL)

TRIM DOWN YOUR RISK

RISK – How to reduce it, get it TRIMMED

 T IREDNESS – Rest every 2 Hours, for 15 Mins

R USHING  – Plan ahead – Leave earlier, Assess Road/Weather conditions.

I LLNESS – You’re not in the Zone / Unable to concentrate / Feeling under the weather.

M EDICATION  – Read the label / Leaflet, ensure you are not going to be adversely affected.

M OOD – Upset (eg: Loss of job), Elated (eg: Passing an exam) may affect your concentration.

E YES & EARS – Wear prescription Glasses, Don’t have Music too loud!

D RINK  – ZERO ALCOHOL is the only safe limit. THE SACRIFICIAL SEAT!!

D RUGS – INCLUDING LEGAL HIGHS will affect your ability.

D ISTRACTIONS – PHONES – PASSENGERS – CHILDREN – EATING & DRINKING – ROAD RAGE

THE FATAL FOUR

    • SPEEDING (Even on a long  journey the time saved by speeding is usually negligible  – So just get there in one piece!)
    • DRINK/DRUG DRIVING.
    • DISTRACTION (Particularly using phones or tablets on the move.)
    • NOT WEARING SEAT-BELTS (Remember you are responsible for ensuring passengers under the age of 14 are suitable fastened in).

THE SACRIFICIAL SEAT!

In the event of a crash, a driver will often swerve at the last moment to avoid a collision with a tree, lamp post or other solid object.

As a result the driver may survive, but the full force of impact is then transferred to the passenger side of the vehicle, with a result that is quite often fatal! The driver saves themselves at the expense of the passenger, who is unintentionally sacrificed.

!!!THINK!!!

Is it a good idea to allow / or get into a vehicle with a driver who has been drinking or taking drugs!