MOTORWAYS ARE THE SAFEST ROADS IN POLAND
According to the report of the National Police Headquarters summarising accidents on Polish roads in 2013, motorways are the safest roads. Accidents on motorways constituted only one per cent of all accidents that happened on Polish roads last year. Although most of the main causes of accidents on motorways are different than on other roads, a common cause of a significant number of accidents on all roads was not adjusting the speed to the conditions on the road.
Last year on Polish motorways there were 289 accidents, 46 out of which happened on the A1, 83 on the A2 and 140 on the whole A4 motorway. As a result of these incidents 6 people were killed on the A1, 15 people on the A2, and 18 people on the whole length of the A4, including 2 people on the concession stretch between Katowice and Krakow.
The main cause of all accidents on Polish roads was not adjusting speed to the conditions on the road. One of the main mistakes made by drivers that led to 7673 accidents on state roads was not respecting right-of-way rules or improper behaviour towards pedestrians (4049 accidents).
On motorways, where roads cross without connecting directly, where there are no pedestrian crossings, and where drivers can use two lanes in both directions, improper speed was the cause of nearly one third of all (105) accidents. Another dangerous habit of not keeping proper distance between cars led to 47 accidents and improper change of lanes contributed to 24 accidents. A dangerous phenomenon which happens more often on motorways than on other roads due to the monotonous driving on a straight stretch is falling asleep behind the steering wheel. Last year it was the cause of 41 accidents.
- Two main factors determine safety on every road: the behaviour of drivers and the quality of road infrastructure. From the perspective of the manager of the road used by over 30 thousand drivers every day, safety of travellers should be taken care of by maintaining the road in good condition and trying to improve drivers' knowledge about road safety. We promote proper attitudes of drivers through annual educational campaigns and we improve the condition of the motorway through numerous investments – says Rafał Czechowski, the spokesperson for Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A.
The concessionaire of the A4 Katowice-Krakow, a stretch where there were no fatal accidents in 2010 and 2012,has been carrying out activities aimed at increasing drivers' awareness of safe behaviour on the motorway for years. In 2010 Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A., in collaboration with the Police and Road Transport Inspectorate, has elaborated a catalogue of tips taking into account particular conditions of driving on motorways. A year later the concessionaire made drivers sensitive to the threat caused by fatigue while driving and encouraged drivers to share how they try to stay awake behind the wheel. A list of tips collected during both actions is available at: http://www.autostrada-a4.com.pl/bezpieczenstwo/porady-dla-kierowcow.
- The ways drivers use to stay awake while driving and the handbook elaborated by experts from the Police, State Road Transport Inspectorate and SAM S.A. contain the essentials of safe driving on motorways. We would like to encourage drivers to get to know the tips taking into account particular conditions of driving on motorways and tips of drivers how to keep sleepiness at bay – adds Rafał Czechowski.
The most important tips of experts concerning safe driving on motorways:
Brake earlier than usual
Remember that depending on the weight of your car, during fast driving the braking distance increases by a few dozens of meters. Keep a safe distance from other cars and press the brake much earlier.
Fifteen minutes for yourself
Driving with a steady speed on a long stretch is tiresome and boring and tiredness can cause loss of concentration. A golden rule is two hours of driving, 15 minutes of break - on the motorway you can stop at a rest area or a filling station.
Emergency braking only when absolutely necessary
Remember that the average speed of vehicles on motorways is much higher than on other roads. Do not brake suddenly for no reason or in order to do a sudden turn (e.g. to leave the motorway on a junction as a result of a sudden decision). In this way you put yourself and other motorway users at risk of a collision. Use the mode of emergency braking only in case of a sudden need, e.g. in order to avoid collision with another car.
Take care of children
Before leaving make sure that children travelling with you are entertained. An upset and crying child makes it difficult for the driver to concentrate. On the motorway it is not so easy to quickly stop and solve your kid's problem.
Do not get used to speed and lack of obstacles on the road
The style of driving on a motorway, with no sharp turns or pedestrian crossings, is definitely different from driving on other roads. Leaving the motorway remember to be extra careful and adjust your driving style to new conditions and traffic rules.
Selected pieces of advice concerning staying awake behind the steering wheel:
Try not to use cruise control all the time, particularly at night.
Take a 15-minute break in driving after every two hours.
Talk to your passenger about anything.
Listen to an audiobook or to a good stand-up comedian.
Stop and wash your face with cold water.
Do a few exercises outdoors.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Lower temperature in your car.
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About SAM S.A.
Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A. manages a 60-kilometre long stretch of the A4 motorway between Katowice and Krakow. It is the first fully functional road of this kind in Poland, built within the framework of public-private partnership as a brownfield investment – modernisation of the road built in the 1970s and 1980s. Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A. has held the concession for its adaptation to the requirements of a toll motorway and operation since 1997. This required numerous investments. All investment projects, including current maintenance of the road, are financed from tolls for using the concession stretch and from loans obtained from an international bank consortium. Unlike other concessions for managing toll motorways, the project run by Stalexport Autostrada Małopolska S.A. does not burden the state budget in any way. The company does not benefit from any State Treasury subsidies or guarantees.
For further information please contact:
Rafał Czechowski
Spokesperson for SAM SA
e-mail: [email protected]
tel. 601063200