West Sussex Road Safety

02/06/2026

However short the trip, ALWAYS wear a seatbelt and make sure everyone else in the car is wearing theirs too.

There is no sense in taking the risk of not wearing one..........

02/06/2026

Learner Drivers - useful information with regards to taking the driving test!

🚨From 9 June, learner drivers will only be able to move their driving test to nearby test centres.

If you book a new test from this date, you will only be able to move your test to:

✅ any of the 3 centres nearest to where your test is booked

✅ the test centre you first booked at on that current booking

If you have an existing booking, the new rule will apply to where your test is booked at on 9 June – not where you first booked.

Read more about the changes to the driving test booking rules 👉 https://ow.ly/JTEJ50Z4Bbx

01/06/2026

Did you know it takes 27 seconds for your brain to fully refocus on driving after reading a text or giving a voice command? Keep your head in the game. Distraction kills.

Distraction isn’t just about where you are looking, it’s about what you are mentally focusing on. Worries, pain, notifications, calls, social media, eating – they are all distractions when driving. Distraction kills.

Whatever you do for a living, when you are driving, you have one job. Staying safe. Don’t get distracted. Distraction kills.

01/06/2026

If travelling at 50mph on a wet road, a car with new tyres with 8mm of tread will stop around 25.9 metres. A car with tyres at the legal minimum limit of 1.6mm tread will stop around 37.8 metres. 11.9m further.

Air.
Check the tyres pressures are set to the recommended pressure in your vehicle handbook.

Condition.
Bulges and nicks should be checked out by a tyre specialist.

Tread.
Uneven wear should be checked out by a tyre specialist.

It is recommend that you change your tyres once the tread gets down to 3mm.
See https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/legal/tyres

29/05/2026

Road Safety Starts With You 🚸

In West Sussex during 2025, 172 children were injured in road collisions — 32 seriously.
• 101 were passengers in vehicles
• 41 were pedestrians
• 20 were pedal cyclists
• 7 were using e-scooters or similar
• 3 were motorcycles

Children learn by example. Be a road safety role model.
✅ Teach them how to cross safely – stop, look, listen, think
✅ Repeat the message often so it sticks
✅ Slow down and give young cyclists plenty of space
✅ Make sure child passengers are properly secured every journey
✅ Stay alert in areas where children are likely to be

🚴 If your child’s school doesn’t offer Bikeability, you can book training here:
https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/road-safety/one-to-one-cycle-training/
Cycle safety courses for school children - West Sussex County Council

Drive defensively. Protect the precious cargo you carry.

Collision and casualty map https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/road-safety/collision-locations-map/

28/05/2026

Defensive driving is the practice of anticipating hazards and driving in a safe, controlled manner to reduce the risk of collisions caused by road traffic, weather, vehicle, or other road user factors.

It does not mean constantly driving slowly but might require dropping your speed in anticipation of emerging events.

Drivers and riders should also be looking beyond the area to the back of the vehicle in front. They should be checking for what might be developing further ahead and be aware of what is going on to their sides and behind.

Why is that vehicle slowing? Does the person crossing in the other lane look like they are going to stop at the central refuge? Could the child cycling on the pavement be about to enter the road?

When drivers are more aware, their responses are smooth with fewer hard breaking or close call events. When you drive defensively, you are less likely to be involved in crash, you are less likely to receive a fine or penalty points, and you are more likely to feel more relaxed or less stressed.

The bigger the gap in front of you the more you are likely to be able to see and the more space you’ll have to brake or react should the vehicle in front suddenly brake or suddenly swerve.

27/05/2026

Free Biker Down workshops aim to improve road safety in West Sussex

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is encouraging people to sign up for a free life-saving Biker Down workshop to help them stay safe on the road.
Firefighters will be hosting the next session on Thursday 25 June at Shoreham Fire Station at 6pm.
The workshop will cover essential skills including how to manage the scene of a collision involving a motorbike, basic first aid including helmet removal, and practical advice on how riders can stay visible on the road.
Further Biker Down workshops have also been scheduled on the following dates:
• Shoreham: 25 June & 10 September
• Chichester: 16 July & 15 October
• Horsham: 13 August & 19 November
Biker Down instructor, Richard Poole, said: “We’re really pleased to be running our life-saving Biker Down workshops again this season.
“With more motorcyclists on the road as the weather warms up, any one of us could find ourselves first at the scene of a collision involving a motorbike. Knowing what to do in those first few moments can be crucial in preventing further harm.
“This course gives people the confidence and practical skills to step in and help, whether they are motorcyclist or not. If you haven’t had the chance to attend a session yet, I would encourage you to book a place at our next workshop.
“People can also find us at upcoming events such as Goodwood Breakfast Club meetings on 31 May, 26 July, and 2 August at Goodwood Racecourse, and at Alf’s Motorcycles in Dominion Road, Worthing on 20 June, 25 July, and 26 September where we will be sharing road safety advice and information on Biker Down.”

For further information please contact the press office on 0330 2228377 or email [email protected].

Booking

Increase your skills and awareness on the road as a biker, pillion rider and/or general road user

26/05/2026

Just after sunrise and before sunset the sun can shine directly into drivers’ eyes, leaving many motorists driving with a glare. This glare can make it much harder to see the road ahead and potential hazards creating an added risk to drivers. When sun glare is an issue slow down and use extra caution especially while driving through school zones.

Here are a few hints and tips to help reduce sun glare:-

* Invest in polarised sunglasses – they can help reduce glare.
* Use your sun visor – it can help to block out the sun.
* Leave more following room – when the sun is in your eyes it can be hard to see
what the car ahead is doing.
* Drive with your headlights on to increase your visibility to other drivers.
* Keep your windshield clean, inside and out.
* Check your windshield for pitting and cracks.
* Avoid storing papers or other items on the dashboard.

If the sun is still affecting your vision, avoid driving at these times.

26/05/2026

Don't risk using your mobile phone whilst driving!

You are not only being watched by police who may be out on patrol, there is a lot of technology out there now, detecting people committing crimes such as this.

📱 At 2:30 AM on the M25 near Chertsey, a driver thought it was the perfect time to send a WhatsApp message—failing to notice our fully marked patrol car driving right alongside her.

Our team is out at all hours, and the late-night text cost this driver her car and a ticket straight to court.When stopped, officers discovered she was also driving completely uninsured.

To make matters worse, she already has 6 points on her licence and a previous "totting up" disqualification.

Distracted driving risks lives. No message is worth it.
❌ No Insurance = Car Seized
📱 Phone + Driving = Court Date