The Fatal Five
The ‘Fatal Five’ refers to the major causes of road traffic collisions resulting in serious injuries. This concept has been widely used in road safety campaigns globally and is particularly relevant in the context of Jersey’s road safety initiatives.
In Jersey, these five factors are consistently monitored and addressed through law enforcement, educational programs, and public safety campaigns to reduce collisions resulting in serious injuries.
Careless Driving
Examples of Careless Driving:
- Risky overtaking and undertaking
- Not driving at an appropriate speed for conditions
- Distractions such as eating, drinking, and mobile phone use
- Lack of concentration or driving while fatigued
- Tailgating
- Ignoring road signs and signals
- Improper lane changes and failing to signal
Penalties for Careless Driving:
- Criminal record
- Fine up to £10,000
- Potential disqualification/ licence endorsement
- License suspension
- Magistrate Court hearing
- Potential requirement to re-sit test
- High insurance premiums
- Difficulty hiring a car for 10 years
Drink/ Drug Driving
Legal Limits:
- 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
- 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood
- 107 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine
It’s crucial to understand that being under the legal limit does not necessarily mean it is safe to drive. Alcohol affects everyone differently, and the rate at which it is processed can vary significantly from person to person. The only truly safe approach if you are driving is to avoid alcohol entirely.
You can be breath tested at any time, if you cannot provide a breath test, a blood test will be offered as an alternative.
Morning After Drinking:
Be cautious the morning after drinking, as it can take much longer than expected for alcohol to leave your body. On average, it takes roughly an hour to process a unit of alcohol, but this can vary based on numerous factors, including your body weight, metabolism, and the amount of food you have eaten. It is a common misconception that drinking water, coffee, or taking a shower can speed up the process.
These methods do not eliminate alcohol from your system; only time can do that. If you have consumed a significant amount of alcohol, plan not to drive the next day to ensure you are completely sober.
Drug Driving:
Driving under the influence of drugs, whether they are illegal substances, prescription medications, or over-the-counter drugs, can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.
Drugs can impair your ability to drive by affecting your reaction times, concentration, coordination, and judgment. Even medications prescribed by a doctor can impair your driving ability, particularly if they cause drowsiness or slow reaction times. It is illegal to drive if your ability to do so is impaired by any drug.
Penalties for Drink/ Drug Driving:
- Criminal record
- License suspension
- Fine up to £10,000
- Minimum 12 month disqualification
- Requirement to re-sit your driving test
- Potential job loss
- Higher insurance premiums
- Difficulty hiring a car for ten years
Seatbelts
Importance of Wearing Seatbelts:
- Seatbelts prevent occupants from being thrown from the vehicle in a collision
- They distribute the force of a collision across the stronger parts of the body
- Wearing a seatbelt doubles your chances of surviving a serious collision
- In the event of a rollover, seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injuries by keeping occupants secured inside the vehicle
- Seatbelts reduce the risk of head and spinal injuries by keeping occupants securely in their seats
Penalties for Not Wearing a Seatbelt:
- Fine up to £1000
- Parish Hall enquiry
- Potential Magistrate Court hearing
Exemptions:
All drivers and passengers must wear seatbelts, unless:
- Driving a vehicle for the delivery or collection of goods or mail and you constantly leave and re-enter the vehicle because of the proximity of the delivery and collection points
- Driving a vehicle while reversing
- Supervising the holder of a provisional licence while reversing
- Engaged on the duties of a cab driver
- Holding a valid medical exemption certificate
- Occupying a seat not fitted with a prescribed seat belt and is not required to be fitted with a prescribed seat belt
- You are registered disabled and your disability means it would not be practicable for you to wear any of the prescribed belts in the vehicle
Children:
For children, appropriate car seats should be used until they reach 135cm in height or are 12 years old. For more information on child car seats click here.
Distracted - Using Mobile Phone While Driving
Mobile Phone use whilst Driving is Legal if:
- Using a Bluetooth headset, a built-in hand-free system
- Using a dashboard holder or mat
- Using a windscreen mount
- You need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency, and stopping the vehicle is unsafe or impractical.
Penalties for Mobile Phone use:
- Fine up to £1,000
- Potential disqualification
- Potential licence suspension
- Parish Hall enquiry
Speeding
Jersey’s Speed Limit Framework:
- 40 MPH Maximum Limit: The maximum speed limit across the island is 40 mph, except for vehicles over 3.5 tons or those towing a trailer, which are limited to 30 mph.
- 30 MPH Urban Areas: Speed limits in urban or built-up areas are set at 30 mph, extending into rural areas as necessary.
- 20 MPH Sensitive Zones: Speed limits are reduced to 20 mph in village centres, tourist bays, and part-time zones around schools when children are present, accommodating higher pedestrian and cyclist traffic.
- 15 MPH Green Lanes: In Green Lanes, the speed limit is 15 mph. Here, motorized vehicles must always give priority to pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.
Penalties for Speeding:
- License suspension
- Fine up to £1,000
- Potential driving ban
- Requirement to re-sit your driving test
- Potential Magistrate’s Court hearing
