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DSA Launch Official Car Hazard Awareness Video

DSA Launch Official Hazard Awareness Video
What If there was a road safety video that could reduce your chances of being involved in an accident? The Driving Standards Agency today launched their hazard awareness video What If? - a 35 minute video with associated booklet.

What If?, the new DSA initiative, is aimed initially at young and novice car drivers. Transport Research Laboratory findings show that a hazard awareness video such as What If? improves new drivers' abilities to deal with emerging hazards by up to 700%. This video is surely a must for these drivers.

Broken down into modules, this user-friendly video with associated booklet is presented by Kate Humble with music by Fat Boy Slim. What If? appeals to a youthful audience without losing its credibility as an educational video.

1 in 5 new drivers has an accident in the first year. Ten people die from road accidents every day. Many of these accidents happen due to a lack of awareness of developing hazards. Improving the awareness and anticipation skills of drivers can prepare them to avoid crashes and help to reduce these statistics .

This video and booklet encourages all drivers to think about their observation skills and how they might interpret what they see. All drivers need to be aware of how situations can quickly change into something that might threaten their safety and that of others.

Each year there are 300,000 injuries from over 240,000 road accidents in the UK; figures that the DSA is committed to reducing. Part of that commitment is to ensure that over 40,000 Driving Instructors in the UK will receive a free copy of What If? giving an opportunity for over 98% of learner drivers to view the video. In addition to this, What If? will be promoted through the DSA's schools programme.

"Developing the ability to be aware of hazards on the roads is a priority for those who have mastered the technical side of learning to drive. This video is an important first step to raising novice drivers' levels of awareness and is intended to help save lives."

Gary Austin, DSA Chief Executive

What If? is sponsored by Dunlop and is part of the DETR's THINK! Campaign. It has also received endorsement from the The Independent Work-Related Road Safety Task Group which advises on workforce driver training.

What If this video helps save lives?
What If you can help people learn about it?
For further information please contact:

PRESS: Christine Warren, Caroline Gestwicki or Amber O'Grady at R1 Communication on
Tel: 020 7947 8116 Fax: 020 7947 8121 email: christinewarren@routeonecom.co.uk

DSA: Press Office: Chris Lee or Sean Thornton 0115 901 2852/2853

CAMPIONI: Andrew Whitney at Tel: 0207 251 5724
Fax: 0207 2515725 email: awhitney@campioni.net

Notes to Editor
Research available upon request

What If? is supported and endorsed by a number of safety and motoring associations such as:
The Association of British Drivers ABD
Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
Brake - working for road safety
Bicycle Association
British Motorcycle Federation
British Horse Society
Cyclists Touring Club (CTC)
DETR's THINK! Campaign
Guild of Experienced Motorists (GEM)
The Independent Work-Related Road Safety Task Group
Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) - The Advanced Driving Specialists
Learn & Live - the parents' campaign for safe driving tuition
Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI)
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
Society of Operations Engineers (SOE)
Society of Professional Licensed Taxi Drivers (SPLT)