THE KEY TO SAFETY - Live Life Safe

“to create a safer society and enable all people to live safer lives”

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust

TO BE FORWARNED…..

Balancing your own personal safety with the independence driving brings is easy when you know how.  In particular, if you are a Lone Worker, the information below will give you some easy-to-follow advice to help you enjoy using your car and avoid becoming a victim.  Most of the advice is relevant for any journey you make, but always use your common sense to assess risks in any particular situation and follow your instincts.

…. IS TO BE FOREARMED

Whenever you decide to make a journey, let your car keys be a reminder of some simple steps to personal safety, which will help you to live your life with confidence and avoid risk.

Improving your personal safety is easy, if you use the word PLAN as a reminder:

• PLAN your journey, know your route and tell someone where you are going.  Make sure you take essential items with you and check you have up-to-date breakdown cover.
• LOOK confident when you are out and about.
• ALWAYS avoid taking unnecessary risks.
• NEVER assume it won’t happen to you.
• Are you ready?

Taking a few moment to prepare and plan, even before a routine or short journey, can make all the difference to your personal safety.

IMPORTANT

Every time you set out on a journey:

• DO look at a map / check SAT NAV, plan your route and write down some directions if you are going somewhere new or unfamiliar (your SAT NAV may lose connection!).
• DO keep a map handy so that you don’t need to ask directions.
• DO let someone know where you are going or leave details in an obvious place, including the time you expect to arrive
• DO check you have enough fuel before making any journey, however short.
• DO check the oil and tyres and think through what you would do if you had to change a tyre, especially if you are going a long way.
• DO check that your breakdown organisation membership is up-to-date and keep the number handy, or become a member of one.
• DO ensure you have a mobile phone with you to call for help in case of emergencies (remember, do not use your phone while driving).

EVERY TIME you go on a journey, ask yourself:

• Where am I going?
• How am I getting there and back?
• Am I prepared for changes in the plan?
• Have I let someone know where I am going?

Do I have my mobile phone with me and is it fully charged?

For the LONGER TERM ask yourself:

KEEP YOUR ‘CAR KIT’ FULLY STOCKED:

Every motorist should ensure they have a few basics in the care, just in case of emergencies.  The car kit should include:

ON THE MOVE:

Just because you are in your own car and in your own environment, doesn’t always mean that you are safe!  Sometimes you’ll find yourself a long way from home in unfamiliar surroundings.

SETTING OFF:

• Keep anything of value, such as bags or mobile phones out of sight - they make easy pickings for a snatch thief in stop-go traffic, especially if left on the front passenger seat.
• Lock the doors whenever you are in the car. If you are in an accident, windows can easily be broken to get you out. You are much safer driving along with the doors locked.
• Keep windows closed in busy areas and use the sun roof or fan for ventilation.

FEELING THREATENED WHILE DRIVING?

It is possible that while driving you may feel threatened. Modern phenomena such as road rage and carjacking, while high profile in the media, are thankfully still rare. However, these tips may help to avoid the more dangerous consequences of these potential on-the-road threats:

• If you think you are being followed you may find yourself clutching the wheel and finding it difficult to breathe. Breathe out slowly, release the tension in your hands, arms and shoulders. Hold the wheel hard again and once more let go and sigh. As you relax, you can  begin to think clearly.
• Keep driving until you come to a busy place such as a police, fire or ambulance station or a pub or garage forecourt.
• If a car pulls up alongside you and the occupants try to attract your attention, ignore them and don’t make eye contact.
• If you see an accident or someone tries to flag you down, ask yourself if it is genuine and if you could really help - it might be best to drive on to the nearest phone or police station.
• If another driver is causing you concern, a mobile phone, or even a toy phone, is an excellent way to put off unwanted attention. Phone, or pretend to phone the police, and make an obvious note of the registration number of the car. There is a good chance they will stop pestering you if they think they will get caught.
• If a car pulls in front of you and forces you to stop, never switch off the engine. Stay calm and ensure all your doors and windows are locked. If the driver leaves his car to approach you, reverse as far as you can while continually sounding the horn and activating your hazard lights.
• If someone tries to force down a window, hit their hand with anything available and drive off carefully.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I BREAK DOWN?

• Pull as far off the road as you can and switch on your hazard lights.
• Use your mobile phone, or walk to the nearest phone and call your breakdown organisation or the police.

IF YOU BREAK DOWN ON THE MOTORWAY:

• Drive to an emergency phone if you can, stopping with the front passenger door as close to the phone as possible.
• If you cannot drive any further, a marker post every 100 metres will point you to the nearest phone. They are situated every 1000 metres. Be ready to tell the person who answers: the number on the marker, your car registration and the name of your motoring organisation.
• Never cross the carriageway to reach a closer phone.
• Switch on your hazard lights.
• Leave any animals in the car, with windows only far enough down to let in air.
• Make sure your children are safe - do not leave them in the car by themselves.
• The call is free from these phones. Stand behind the phone and watch out for passing traffic, or anyone approaching you. Lift the handset and the phone will connect with the police control centre - they will know where you are.
• Let the police know if you are a woman on your own.
• If someone stops, use the phone to let the police know and give them the registration number of the car which is stopping. Tell the driver you have given all the details to the police and that they are likely to arrive shortly.
• 10% of all motorway accidents involve a collision with a vehicle on the hard shoulder, so make a decision whether to stay in the car or stand on the verge, depending on how safe you personally feel outside the car.
• If you decide to stand on the verge, take your keys with you and lock all the doors except the passenger door, which you should leave wide open so you can get in the car quickly if you need to.
• When help arrives, check that the breakdown person knows your name and has been sent to help you specifically. 

IMPORTANT:

As well as the previous tips, the following are a few general pieces of advice that can improve your personal safety on the road:

• DO NOT give a lift to a stranger
• DO NOT leave children alone in the car
• DO NOT get into a car with a stranger or try to hitch a lift.
• DO NOT let people who offer you help get into your car.
• DO let someone know if you change your journey plans.
• DO seek assistance straight away if you break down –
• DO NOT DELAY!!
• If you are a LONE WORKER you may also be interested in this further information.

SUZY LAMPLUGH TRUST

Suzy Lamplugh Trust was founded in 1986 following the disappearance of the young estate agent. The aim of the Trust is to raise awareness of the importance of personal safety and to help people to avoid violence and aggression and live safer, more confident lives.  If you would like further details on personal safety, visit the Suzy Lamplugh website:  www.suzylamplugh.org