Somerset Road Safety

🚗☀️ The last week of the school holidays means thousands of family journeys across the UK.

Rushing, speeding and driving tired can turn a holiday into a tragedy.

Leave plenty of time, take regular breaks and focus on arriving safely.

Arrive safe, not soon.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Community Safety and PreventionDorset and Somerset Air Ambulance somerset Somerset Council Somerset Advanced Motorcyclists - SAM

Don't plan your arrival time. Plan your safety stops.

When travelling to a family holiday this week:

✔ Leave earlier than you think you need to ✔ Expect delays ✔ Take a 15-minute break every two hours ✔ Never drive tired

Changing how we think about long journeys helps keep everyone safer on our roads.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust and somerset Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Community Safety and Prevention Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Vision Zero South West Somerset Advanced Motorcyclists - SAM Somerset Council

The holiday photos can wait.

As thousands of families travel before the end of the school break, remember that no booking, attraction or check-in time is worth rushing for.

Slow down. Take a break when you need one. Stay focused on the road.

The most important part of your holiday is making sure everyone arrives home safely.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Community Safety and Prevention and somerset West Somerset and Taunton Neighbourhood Policing somerset South Somerset Neighbourhood Policing Sedgemoor Neighbourhood Policing # South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust # Vision Zero South West #

Family Focus

🚗☀️ Heading away for a last-minute family holiday before the school holidays end?

The excitement of arriving can sometimes make us forget the risks of rushing to get there. Speeding, distractions and driving while tired can all have devastating consequences.

A safer holiday starts with a safer journey. ✅ Plan regular breaks ✅ Share the driving if possible ✅ Put the phone away ✅ Leave extra time

Your family need you to arrive safely, not quickly.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Community Safety and Prevention Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Talk About Distractions
📱 Have you spoken to your child about distractions on their journey to school?
New friendships, phones, headphones and busy conversations can all take attention away from traffic.
A simple family agreement can help:
👀 Eyes up approaching roads. 🎧 Headphones out when crossing. 📱 Phones away until safely across.
Small actions can become lifelong safety habits.

Independence Starts with Preparation
🎒 Starting secondary school is a big step towards independence.
If your child will be walking to school this September, spend time walking the route together before term starts.
✅ Practise safe crossing points. ✅ Discuss busy roads and potential distractions. ✅ Encourage them to keep their head up and attention on the road environment.
The habits they learn now can stay with them for life.

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1. How Breathing Can Improve Your Driving
🌿 It sounds simple, but controlled breathing can help reduce stress and improve concentration behind the wheel.
When we're stressed, our breathing often becomes faster and shallower. This can increase feelings of tension and frustration.
Take a moment to actively slow down both your thoughts and your breathing.
Try this before setting off:
✅ Breathe in slowly for four seconds
✅ Hold for four seconds
✅ Breathe out gently for four seconds
✅ Repeat several times
Many drivers are surprised by how quickly this simple technique helps them feel calmer and more focused.
A calm mind is better able to spot hazards and make safe decisions.
Travel Somerset Avon and Somerset Roads Policing Unit Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Community Safety and Prevention Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Vision Zero South West IAM RoadSmart RoSPA National Highways: South-West
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🏍️ The Raise Your Ride team will be out and about this week! 🏍️
We're looking forward to meeting riders across Somerset & the wider area as we promote Raise Your Ride, Biker Down, and a range of Advanced Rider Courses designed to help make every ride safer, more enjoyable and more rewarding.
📍 Thursday 20 August – Lime Kiln Inn Bike Night
📍 Friday 21 August – Dunster Show
📍 Sunday 23 August – Kingswood Bike Show
Whether you're a new rider, returning to biking, or have years of experience under your belt, come and find out how training, rider development and emergency response skills can help you build confidence and stay safe on the road.
If you're attending any of these events, pop over and have a chat with us. We'd love to meet you, answer your questions, and discuss the opportunities available to help raise your riding skills.
See you there! 👋🏍️
The Lime Kiln Inn Dunster Show Kingswood Bike Show Avon and Somerset Roads Policing Unit Biker Down Devon & Somerset South West Bikers Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Somerset Road Safety DocBike Somerset & Avon IAM RoadSmart RoSPA

4. The 10-Second Reset
🧠 Feeling stressed while driving? Try a 10-second reset.
When frustration begins to build:
✅ Relax your grip on the steering wheel
✅ Take a slow breath
✅ Check mirrors
✅ Refocus on the road ahead
✅ Remind yourself that safety is the priority
This small reset can help break the cycle of stress before it affects your driving decisions.
Recognise stress early and managing it before it manages you.
Every safe journey starts with the driver.
Avon and Somerset Roads Policing Unit Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service IAM RoadSmart RoSPA Travel Somerset South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust National Highways: South-West Vision Zero South West

2. Aggressive Driving Starts With Stress
🚨 Road rage rarely begins with anger. It often begins with stress.
A difficult day, traffic delays or time pressure can lower our tolerance and make us more likely to react negatively to other road users.
Tailgating, using the horn aggressively, flashing headlights or making rude gestures only increases risks for everyone.
Choose patience over reaction.
✅ Assume mistakes are unintentional
✅ Give other drivers space
✅ Avoid confrontations
✅ Focus on your own driving
✅ Let minor frustrations go
The safest drivers understand that staying calm is a strength, not a weakness.
Avon and Somerset Roads Policing Unit Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Community Safety and Prevention IAM RoadSmart RoSPA National Highways: South-West Vision Zero South West South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Travel Somerset
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