REDTAIL combines an eclectic mix of folk with hugely diverse talents and interests. We were musing on post lockdown driving behaviours and risks (as you do) last week, and musing turned to thinking harder and not a little insight.
Richard, afore-mentioned data guru, offered Commercial Pilot guidance:
‘In order to carry passengers the pilot in command must have made at least 3 take-offs and landings within the preceding 90 days, as the sole manipulator of the controls of the same type of class of aircraft to be flown. If passengers are to be carried at night, one of the 3 take-offs and landings within the preceding 90 days must have been made at night.’
CEO Colin, afore-mentioned glider pilot offered a personal viewpoint:
‘As one who does fly intermittently, what happens is that you forget something silly, something that was previously a habit you would never fail to do right. For instance, choosing the correct flap setting for landing. You simply don’t remember, and afterwards feel exceedingly stupid. The human condition.’
As for me, not previously mentioned violinist:
‘I can return to a piece of music after a number of months, and muscle memory will carry me through just so far……. until it doesn’t, and I endure a painful and unfortunate collapse!’
So as our staged lockdown progresses, very many of us will venture into our cars and onto the public roads for the first time in a couple of months. We will all, by varying degrees, be just that bit less familiar with driving. And therefore, less familiar with the observation, communication, decisions, anticipation and control necessary to travel safely and securely from A to B. Late last year we published a before and after Christmas snapshot of incident rates from our data:
| 2018/19 | December | January | % change |
| Incidents | 1505 | 847 | -44% |
| KM per incident | 182km | 323km | +77% |
The message as we start to emerge from our cocoon’s is to take a little time; take a little care, and re-acquaint with vehicle, controls, routes and other drivers in a considered and attentive manner. With that caution we can make a safer entry into whatever might be our new normal.
And always remember, once you have sorted yourself out, do allow that extra distance for The Other Guy, whose fault it will invariably be.