PRESS RELEASE

30 September 2014

Learn from those ‘oops factor' moments and cut your risk on the road, says GEM Motoring Assist

ROAD SAFETYorganisation GEM Motoring Assist is encouraging drivers to reflect on the dangerous moments they have experienced at the wheel, to reduce the risks they face on future road journeys.

GEM chief executive David Williams MBE comments: "We are all familiar with those ‘oops factor' moments, where no harm was actually done but where we came close to disaster."

"We're encouraging drivers to set aside time to think about their own particular ‘oops factor' moments. But rather than allowing themselves to dwell on the danger and risk being distracted, we suggest they wait until the end of a journey and set aside a few moments to think about why it happened.

"That short period of reflection may be all that's needed to identify the reason, and to adapt techniques of observation or concentration in order to prevent a similar situation happening again."

GEM has produced the following four simple tips to reduce risk for drivers:

1. Think about risk on journeys. This risk could come from a dangerous stretch of road, from adverse weather, an unwise choice of speed or from a lack of focus on the driving task.

2. Expect the unexpected. This is especially true on familiar stretches of road. Keep your guard up, anticipate what could happen and stay ahead of the situation, rather than having to react urgently.

3. Eliminate the word ‘suddenly' from your driving vocabulary. By identifying all the possible areas of risk, you can adapt and update your speed and position to keep yourself away from trouble.

4. Learn from mistakes. You're sure to be familiar with the ‘oops factor'; the realisation that a risky moment just happened. Take time later to think about why that moment happened. Did you fail to see another vehicle? Did you misjudge distance or speed? Did you gamble with a changing traffic light? Most important, what different action could you take next time to reduce the risk?

"We all make mistakes; but unfortunately a lot of us look to blame everyone or everything else - making it difficult or impossible to learn. But we are all more vulnerable on the road than we think we are," concludes David Williams.

"By recognising the situations that may lead to greater danger, and learning from those ‘oops factor' moments, we can actively reduce risk, both to ourselves and to those around us."

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Notes for editors

GEM Motoring Assist provides two levels of recovery service; Recovery EXTRA and Recovery RECLAIM, to suit all needs and pockets. All GEM policies also include free Accident Management, so members are also fully covered in this area. 

GEM provides a unique, comprehensive and competitively-priced Roadside Assistance and Vehicle Recovery Service. GEM has also been voted number one for Breakdown Cover in the 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010 and 2008 Auto Express Driver Power Survey, and runners-up in 2012 and 2009. 

GEM Motoring Assist is a trading name of The Guild of Experienced Motorists, established in 1932, as an independent driver-based road safety association. GEM's aim is to improve safety for all road users through the sponsorship and initiation of accident prevention measures throughout the UK and to provide motoring and safety information to its own members. Member benefits include a quarterly magazine, free literature and advice and discounts on insurances and other services. 

Press information: David Williams MBE, Chief Executive of GEM Motoring Assist, is available for comment on 01342-825676 (office) or 07711450560 (mobile).  David Williams was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to road safety. Alternatively you can emailpress@motoringassist.comfor any further information.