hit by a car at 60kmh, 9 out of 10 pedestrians will be killed; hit by a car at 50kmh, 5 out of 10 pedestrians will be killed; hit by a car at 30kmh, 1 out of 10 pedestrians will be killed.
Source: RoSPA UK and NRH Ireland
There are a number of skills expected of all road users, drivers in particular. Drivers are expected to have: the ability to act responsibly; the ability to foresee and react to hazards; good concentration; and a good level of driving control and expertise.
In the interest of road safety, you need to be aware of the importance of gaining a good knowledge of this book and putting that knowledge into practice.
The book covers the road traffic laws currently in force, but it will be updated regularly to take account of new laws.
If you fail to obey the rules of the road, this does not automatically mean you will be prosecuted. But, if you are involved in a civil or criminal court case, your failure to obey the rules may be considered when deciding whether or not you are liable.
Over the years, the law on the use of the road has changed, and it continues to do so. At its most basic, the law on the use of the road protects road users, and it does so by virtue of three basic rules.
Rule one
You should always be able to stop within a distance you can see to be clear. You need to be able to control the vehicle you are driving to the extent that you can stop without causing a problem for anyone else on the roadway.
The rule means you must be alert and exercise due care and attention at all times.
Rule two
You should always take the prevailing road conditions into account. This is common sense and means you must take account of any factors that will have an impact on your ability to drive safely and securely on the road. For example, the weather, the type of road, the condition of the road, the time of day, the type of the lighting.