ROAD safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist is supporting the new National Highways campaign encouraging all road users to make small changes to their behaviour and help create a safer environment for everyone.

Around five people die every day on the road in the UK, while 84 suffer serious, life-changing injury.

GEM is committed to playing its part in raising awareness of - andreducing - these preventable tragedies that have such a devastating impact on families, individuals and communities.

National Highways is asking drivers to use the left-hand lane on motorways and dual carriageways when conditions allow. If you wish to overtake a slower vehicle, then you can use the other lanes, but you should then return to the left lane when safe.

It is also telling drivers to keep at least a two-second gap between themselves and the vehicle in front. This gives you time and space to stop safely in an emergency.

As well as supporting the wise advice from National Highways, GEM offers two tips of its own for any driver on any road:

Pay attention: Give the road your full attention. Don't be distracted by passengers, mobile phones, other drivers or private thoughts.

Hold back: Make a pledge that you won't react to the actions of other drivers. Nobody's perfect, so don't waste time and increase risk by trying to rebuke another road user. Focus on holding back and staying safe.

GEM road safety adviser James Luckhurst said: "One or two small changes to the way we use the roads can have a big impact on safety.

"So let's help each other and work together to create a safer environment for everyone."

The National Highways ‘Little Changes, change everything' campaign runs until Sunday March 31, 2024.