NEEDLESS injuries and deaths on Carmarthenshire’s roads could be reduced this winter if motorists keep their bad habits in check, campaigners say.
Last year, Carmarthenshire had a high rate of people killed or injured in snowy, icy and wet weather in Britain: 119 out of every 100,000 people. The national average is 81 according to new figures obtained by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
“Some injuries could have been easily avoided had it not been for bad habits such as driving too close to the car in front,” said APIL president Neil Sugarman.
“According to the Highway Code the average stopping distance, when driving at 30mph on dry roads, is six car lengths. In wet weather this doubles and when it is icy it is ten times longer. Taking care to avoid bad habits like ‘tailgating’ could make a big difference in preventing injuries, and even deaths, on our roads this winter.
“No-one wants an injury at any time of year, but a combination of bad weather and poor driving could easily ruin Christmas for someone.”
In a recent online poll of motorists, APIL found that two-thirds (67 per cent) do not know how much to space to leave between the car in front when travelling in ice and snow.
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