On average 50 people are killed and over 400 are seriously injured a year on Suffolk's roads.
Excessive speed is a significant contributory factor in road deaths and serious injuries.
If you hit an adult pedestrian while driving at 30mph, the survival chance is 80%.
If you hit an adult pedestrian while driving at 40mph, the pedestrian's chance of dying rises to 90% (80% for a child).
Two out of three crashes where people are killed or injured happen on roads where the speed limit is 40mph or less.
Driver and Passenger Information
Every driver can make a difference just by slowing down a few miles per hour and observing speed limits.
Every passenger can make a difference by asking the driver to slow down.
The speed limit is an absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions.
Allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front. The gap should be double on wet roads and increased still further on icy roads.
The difference between driving at 30 and driving a few mph over the limit will lead to a much longer stopping distance that could have tragic consequences.
Rural Roads
The majority of fatalities and serious injuries occur on rural roads in Suffolk
Don't think it's safe to break the speed limit on rural roads just because there is less traffic. There are unforeseen hazards, such as blind bends or animals in the road, that could lead to crashes. At slower speeds, you would be able to react to these unforeseen hazards more quickly.
You need to adjust your speed and driving according to the weather and road conditions on rural roads, as rain and other hazards are often contributory factors in rural crashes.
Take special care when driving at night on rural roads as other drivers' headlights could temporarily blind you.
With a clear road ahead you may be tempted to put your foot down. But THINK! before you start to speed on rural roads.
