Little Chef

Safety first.

We can help you stay safe on the road too...

We work with the Department for Transport supporting their work to keep Britain's roads safe. We've some straightforward advice on driving for work, keeping alert on the road and the legislation on child car seats.

Read on for a serving of tips about driving for work, staying alert and looking after younger passengers.

Be an even more professional driver

Tell most people how many of us in Britain drive for work, and they’d be surprised. The fact is that van drivers alone make up some 3 million road users.

It’s a demanding job, involving long hours and tight deadlines. And in the nationwide rush to deliver all the goods and services we take for granted, quite a few drivers take the odd risk.

Because we try not to cut corners at Little Chef, we advise drivers not to either. Together we can prevent a good many of the incidents causing death or serious injury in the course of a days work.

  • More haste, less speed
    The time pressures of a commercial schedule can be unrealistic. But it’s just as unrealistic to think you can safely break the speed limit. Use careful planning instead to keep to your time slots, and if you get somewhere late, it’s better than never. Your boss or your client should understand.

  • Plan to arrive in one piece
    If you know your route, you can concentrate on the road. Journey planning is a good way to avoid stress, save time in the long run and cut out map-reading on the move.

  • Driven to distraction?
    Statistics show that van crashes are typically the result of a driver losing control. This could mean leaving the carriageway on a high-speed road or a low speed collision in a built-up zone.

So there’s a clear case for giving the road your full attention at all times. Eating, drinking or reading a map are a risk on the road. And you could pick up 3 points on your licence and a £60 fine if you take a call on your mobile while driving.

So next time you feel like multi-tasking, you’re as welcome as ever to pull into your next Little Chef.

Keep alert on the road

We've all been there – that awful feeling of tiredness that creeps up when we're on the road. Deadly if you're in the driving seat. Research shows that sleepiness accounts for up to 1-in-5 accidents on long journeys on trunk roads and motorways.

What the experts say...

We've teamed up with the experts at the THINK! road safety campaign – to give you all the answers.

Our top tips

  • Get a good night's sleep. Don't start out tired.
  • Share the driving – it makes a big difference
  • Plan ahead to take a 15 minute break every two hours – according to THINK!, this is as essential as fastening our seatbelts.
  • If you start to feel sleepy, find somewhere safe (not on the motorway hard shoulder) as soon as you can. Drink two cups of coffee, or other high caffeine drink. Then try to nap for 15 minutes (but no longer), to allow time for the caffeine to take effect.
  • Don't drive when you'd normally be asleep – we're at our least alert between midnight and 6am
  • Beware of the afternoon dip in alertness – most people are not fully alert between 2pm and 4pm
  • Don't fool yourself – research shows that loud music, rolling down the window and getting out for a walk don't really help.
  • Weigh up the risks – tired, setting off early or driving after a day's work? Think twice before you get behind the wheel.

Child Seats

The law on using child car seats has now changed. Now, every child under 1.35 metres in height, or under the age of 12 years (whichever comes first) must use a child seat or booster that's right for their size in the front and rear seats in cars, vans and other goods vehicles.

There are very few exceptions.

Airbags and children

The updated law says you MUST NOT use rear-facing baby seats in a seat which is protected by a front air-bag – unless the air-bag has been deactivated manually or automatically.

What if I ignore the law?

Years of research and experience demonstrate a simple fact: seat belts and child car seats and boosters dramatically reduce the risk of death and serious injury in a crash. The Department for Transport estimated that the revided law could prevent over 2000 child deaths and injuries every year.

Ignoring this law means that you could be putting your child at unnecessary risk, no matter how safely you drive or how short the journey. If the police stop you, there's the prospect of a £30 fixed penalty. If you choose to take the matter to court, you could face a £500 maximum fine.