by Joe Jeffrey

New initiative launched to prevent heat exposure for our four-legged friends

The RSPCA has teamed with a number of organisations across the UK to launch a new campaign aimed at the dangers associated with leaving dogs in hot cars.

New initiative, ‘Dogs Die in Hot Cars’, has been launched in an attempt to drive down the number of calls made to the RSPCA in relation to dogs being left in hot cars over the summer period. The move comes following the announcement that 230 call-outs were made relating to dogs being left in hot cars during 2015 – a rise from 223 in the previous year. Furthermore, the number of calls made to the RSPCA relating to dogs suffering from heat exposure from within the confines of vehicles, conservatories and caravans totalled 8,779 across the same 2015 period.

RSPCA spokesperson, Rachel Butler, said: “In an emergency, it is best to dial 999 and report a dog in a hot car to police.

“The RSPCA may not be able to attend quickly enough and, with no powers of entry, we’d need police assistance at such an incident.

“If the animal is displaying any sign of heatstroke – such as panting heavily, drooling excessively, is lethargic or uncoordinated, or collapsed and vomiting – call 999 immediately.

“If the situation becomes critical and police can’t attend, many people’s instinct is to break into the car to free the dog,” Butler continued. “But please be aware that, without proper justification, this could be classed as criminal damage. Make sure you tell the police of your intentions and take photos or footage of the dog as well as names and numbers of witnesses. The law states that you have a lawful excuse to commit damage if you believe that the owner of the property that you damage would consent to the damage if they knew the circumstances.

“Once removed from the car, move the dog to a shaded/cool area and douse him/her with cool water. Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water.

“If the dog isn’t displaying signs of heatstroke, establish how long the dog has been in the car and make a note of the registration. Ask a member of staff to make an announcement of the situation over the tannoy, if possible, and get someone to stay with the dog to monitor its condition.”

Do you take your pets away on holiday with you when you hit the road? Let us know how you make sure they are comfortable in the heat in the comments below.

by Jeanned’Arc Sanbar

Concealed road signs pose a danger for drivers

If you are driving on the road this summer, overgrown junctions concealing signs could prove to be problematic, according to a new survey conducted by the AA.

Two fifths of 21,977 AA members surveyed up and down the country have found their view of oncoming vehicles, junctions and roundabouts blocked by long grass this summer, while more than a third stated that critical road signs were obscured by overgrown trees and bushes.

Further findings from the survey found that nine out of ten motorists believe obscured road signs pose a danger, with less than ten per cent feeling satnavs have made the issue less important.

Despite government cutbacks meaning less time and money can be spent on ensuring road signs aren’t obscured from wild foliage, there was still a strong belief by those AA members surveyed (70 per cent) that they should be kept clear at all times.

AA president Edmund King said of the findings: “A mixture of warm and wet spring weather has caused grass and trees to grow so quickly that it has put drivers at risk when making routine journeys. Due to budget cutbacks, councils are struggling with controlling the fast growth of trees and bushes and that is increasing the likelihood of collisions.

“The worst case scenario is a hidden Give Way sign on the approach to a junction where the road markings have been worn out. What warning does a driver get on an unfamiliar country road that traffic is about to cut across his path?”

Of those looking to escape for their summer holidays, King continued: “Drivers should take care and not assume that, if they don’t see a speed restriction sign for example, that there isn’t a speed limit.  If there are street lamps along the road then it is likely to be a 30mph limit unless there are small ‘repeater’ signs saying otherwise. 

“Also, be alert to the fact that foliage might be obscuring a warning sign, like a bridge height or narrowed road, and slow down,” King continued. “And also be prepared to stop at a roundabout where it’s clear that the grass could obscure your vision of oncoming traffic.”

What do you think? How should this problem be resolved, and how much of an issue have concealed road signs been for you this summer?

by Joe Jeffrey

Safety video launched to help older drivers across UK

A UK initiative introduced to help assist people in gaining and retaining independence through mobility has launched a new video with an aim to help older drivers stay safe at the wheel for as long as possible.

The video launch, by Driving Mobility, follows a presentation and safety recommendations made by the organisation to the House of Commons by the Older Drivers Task Force.

The new video, produced with funding from the GEM Motoring Assist Road Safety Charity, follows a senior driver through the initial consultation and pre-drive assessment and out onto the road, where he drives a pre-arranged route covering various road types. It also sets out the ways in which the Driving Mobility centres across the UK can assess someone’s fitness to drive, as well as addressing any issues that might put someone at higher risk of a collision.

Ed Passant, chief executive of Driving Mobility, said the video gave a clear picture of what an older driver could expect from an assessment.

“Drivers will know exactly what to expect when visiting any of our 16 centres, and I believe the video ably demonstrates our primary purpose, which is to support people to stay driving safely for as long as possible.”

Identifying individual issues and needs is key to keeping an older motorist safe, according to Sergeant Rob Heard of Hampshire Police, who established the award-winning Older Drivers Forum in 2013. It’s also vital that drivers – and their loved ones – are aware of the resources available to help them.

“This video is designed to provide useful information for drivers who need to attend an assessment at a driving mobility centre,” Rob Heard explained.  “At the same time it should help drivers put aside any worries they may have about the assessment and what will be expected of them.

“Some drivers keen to ensure they remain as safe as possible will book and pay for an assessment themselves; others may attend following a referral from a doctor, other health professional or the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

“We’re keen to show that a driver assessment is not something to be dreaded, and in the majority of cases is a very positive and worthwhile exercise, where any safety issues can be resolved. Sometimes further tuition will be recommended, and very occasionally – because of safety concerns – it might be necessary to advise against further driving. But the aim, wherever possible, is to keep people driving safer for longer.”

Neil Worth, road safety officer for GEM Motoring Assist, says the video does an excellent job in reducing any anxiety a senior motorist may be feeling before attending this type of assessment. “If there were evidence that older drivers were more likely to cause collisions, then the Government would have restricted their licences or insisted on compulsory re-training by now.

“There is no evidence of this, however we do know that older drivers can struggle in situations where they have to make quick decisions, or where their ability to see all round is restricted. We also know that any injuries suffered by an older person in a collision will be more serious, simply because of increasing frailty.

“There are many solutions to these difficulties, not all of them appropriate for every driver. That’s why Driving Mobility centre assessments, with their focus on the needs of individual senior drivers, are true road safety winners. Thanks to this new video, any concerns that might go with such an assessment are sure to be greatly reduced.”

Check out the video below and let us know if you think more emphasis should be given to more mature drivers on the road today in the comments section.