Page 1047 - Xmo Strata - Bulletin Archive

Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 388

12 December 2013

Driving at Night

Statistics show that casualties from road collisions at night are 36% higher than collisions during
daylight hours, and casualties at night are more than twice as likely to be fatalities. Also, fatigue is a
contributory factor in 4% of all fatal road accidents.

With Winter upon us and the shortest day of the year now only nine days away, we regularly find
ourselves driving to and from sites in the dark.

• Use your lights – Ensure your lights are working, are clean, and are turned on, this ensures you
can see and that other road users can see you.

• Avoid glare – Keep internal lights off to avoid reflections. Ensure your headlights dipped when
other road users are approaching. Do not stare at lights, if necessary slow down to let other
road users pass if they are blinding you.

• Check your eyesight – It is Xmo policy to provide free eyesight tests to all company vehicle
drivers. If you have trouble reading a number plate from 20 metres, you need to see an optician.

• Check the condition of the vehicle – Before all journeys check the lights work, the tyres are in
good condition, and the windscreen is clear. There were 30 fatalities in 2012 due to defective
tyres / lights / dirty windscreens.

• Rest – Do not drive whilst you are tired. There were 58 fatalities in 2012 due to fatigue. Take a
break, and share the driving.

We are all a product of learning. Every skill we have; everything we know; everything we believe and everything we do has
been learned throughout the course of our lives. Some of us learn best by studying graphs and charts, some through visual
presentations, and some by reading detailed text books. It is important that we receive information in a format that works
for us as individuals! That’s why at Xmo Strata we use a variety of communication platforms such as bulletins, newsletters,
videos etc. However, if you feel there is a better way for us to share health and safety information, please let us know.
Ultimately, your safety is in your hands – but we will do all we can to keep you well informed!