Road Safety
Road Safety is a passion at KDS
Festive fun can equal families devastated!
As the terrible winter weather conditions continued today in Scotland, and so many people were caught in the rush hour standstill it is worth asking “how many of those were still under the influence of drugs or alcohol?.” We are told that despite the continued campaigns and spreading knowledge to many, many people there are still a “staggering” number of Scots still willing to get behind the wheel under the influence!
Today see’s the start of the annual crackdown on dangerous drivers over the festive period. All eight of Scotland’s Police Forces are taking part in the national campaign, which runs from December 6 2010 to January 3 2011 and will see increased road patrols. Over last year’s campaign 8,504 motorists were caught and 357 of those were repeat offenders!
So for those of you who may be tempted to get behind the wheel after a drink on a night out or the morning after that heavy night out, read the story of Arron and Ben and remind yourself of the devastating consequences. Ask yourself is it worth it!?
Arron Peak, 10, and his younger brother Ben, eight, were killed in a horrific smash on the M6 in the early hours of 7 June 2008. Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper Luke McCormick, who caused the crash which killed Arron and Ben, was on his way to Coventry to see his girlfriend after attending a team-mate’s wedding. He was found to be twice the drink-drive limit and Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that he was driving dangerously at about 90mph, on very little sleep. McCormick admitted causing death by dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol. He was jailed for seven years and four months on 6 October 2008, but will be eligible for parole in three-and-a-half years.
By branding their van’s with Arron and Ben’s story, KDS Distribution are successfully raising awareness about the devastating effect that drink driving can have on a family.
Posted by Kate Sutherland on 06 December 2010 in : KDS Training, KDS Youth Training, Kidd's Distribution Services - KDS Distribution, Road Safety
Would you know what to do if your vehicle skids?
Here at KDS Road Safety is very important to us all and we are continuously spreading the messages to make the roads safer and to ensure that everyone has the knowledge they require to stay safe. As the bad weather continues and temperatures continue to plummet, it is important that people know what to do should their car go into a skid.
So, here’s today’s quiz question to test your knowledge!
If you are driving along a road in icy conditions and you find your car going into a skid, should you:
a. Slam on the brakes and keep the pedal pushed down
b. Lightly apply the brakes
c. Turn the steering wheel into the skid
d. Turn the steering wheel against the skid
As the rear end of your car fishtails back and forth, a thousand negative outcomes run through your mind, but knowing what to do means an accident isn’t the inevitable outcome!
(b) and (c) are the correct answers to this question. If you go into a skid on an icy road you should try to regain steering control of the car by steering gently into the skid (eg if the rear of the car is moving left steer left) and remember to do this slowly without over reacting. When you have managed this, lower your gear and apply the brakes lightly, pumping them, rather than slamming them on.
Other things to remember:
Try to maintain your composure during the spin-out.
Keep your eyes open for other traffic. It is imperative to avoid hitting another vehicle if at all possible.
Don't over react to the situation. Make gradual corrections
Never accelerate during a spin. It will only make matters worse.
If you need to, find somewhere safe to pull over after the skid and get your emotions back under control before you start driving again.
Posted by Kate Sutherland on 02 December 2010 in : KDS Training, Kidd's Distribution Services - KDS Distribution, Road Safety
Stay safe on the winter roads!
Following on from Road Safety Week last week, and with the current wintery weather upon us, it is important that we are all up to speed (pardon the pun!) on driving in this weather! For those of you that haven’t checked your tyre tread yet then here’s a safety fact to get you thinking - At 1.6 millimetres(the legal minimum) in wet weather it takes an extra car length (8 metres) to stop at 50 mph than if your tread was 3 millimetres.(the recommended minimum) Gets you thinking doesn’t it!
So here’s some tips to get travelling as safely as possible if you absolutely have to travel!!
Preparing to travel
• Get up at least 30 minutes early to give you time to prepare the car.
• You are not a tank driver, do not drive with just a small area of the window cleared! Clear all windows of snow and ice using a de-icer and a scraper
• Use a cigarette lighter to warm a key for a frozen lock. Don't breathe on the lock, the moisture will just condense and freeze!
• Besides an ice scraper and de-icer, it's worth carrying a mobile phone with fully charged battery, torch, first-aid kit, tow rope, blankets, warm coat and boots, jump leads, snow shovel, warning triangle, an old sack or rug (to put under the wheels if you do get stuck) and Sunglasses, yes sunglasses, the glare from the snow can be dazzling!
• Plan routes using major roads which are more likely to have been gritted.
• Put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in. While it's always a good idea to allow extra time in winter for your journey, you must accept that you may be late, make the phone call before you leave to alert people that this may be the case and remove that stress before you start!
Driving in snow and ice
• REMEMBER Stopping distances are 10 times longer in ice and snow.
• Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving.
• Wear comfortable, dry shoes: chunky, snow-covered boots will slip on the pedals.
• Select second gear when pulling away, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.
• When climbing a hill it's important to avoid having to stop on the hill. Try to maintain a constant speed, choosing the most suitable gear well in advance to avoid having to change down on the hill.
• When driving downhill, reduce your speed before the hill, use a low gear and try to avoid using the brakes. Leave as much room as possible between you and the car in front.
• Always apply brakes gently. Release them and de-clutch if the car skids.
• If you do get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip. Once on the move again, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.
Remember it is better to arrive safe and late than to not arrive at all!
Posted by Kate Sutherland on 01 December 2010 in : KDS Training, Kidd's Distribution Services - KDS Distribution, Road Safety, Training employability
Happy Birthday June 1st 2004 KDS was founded
It was June 1st 2004, the day was the same as today energy levels running extremley high, adrenalin flowing throughout my body and believing that anything was possible in life anything at all, one part that was different was scale of how I viewed the world, Scotland would have been sufficient to take over but if you have been following my story we all know who was responsible for that shift within me.
I was holding a job down in nightshift and would start my KDS business at 12:30hrs back then, it started with five pharmacies as I walked to my first KDS van at 12noon with my livery Kidds Distribution services Ltd and running man on side of van I cannot explain the feeling, I remember driving into Menzies Distribution the night before and managers were saying what you doing Stevie, I responded my future is not here guys, you see I was holding a job down at time of setting up the dream. Peoples faces stay with me to do this day, some people were saying wow Stevie you mean business, I looked at depot and said I will be more popular and as big as this organisation, may be even bigger, whats funny is Menzies even recruit from my training academies I developed which is seperate from KDS Distribution.
My sales earnings back then, first contract was £1700 a month sales, someone believed in me, a customer had said I believe in him, I remember finishing the first shift and reflecting, customers commenting on my standards, pharmacy saying WOW what a difference this is in service, I looked them in the eye and said I have only scratched the surface. When I parked van up I went into a transe and had this feeling of excitement come over me, my voice that had been talking to me all day had a good feeling attached to it, now heres the secret I just learned to only listen to that voice from that day forward, any other voice came in I smacked out the arena, I simply attached the voice to the feeling and said from this day forward this is who I listen to............................
Now when I got home I said to my wife this is start of new journey it will take me 5 years I said to gain respect in so many ways within business I need you to support me as at times it will be difficult but please just believe in me as I believe in myself, yes I have no bank account I have 230 pounds left for 6 weeks fuel, fuel was 67p a litre back then, planned that out until I got first invoice paid..............excitement, dreams, beliefs, proud, excellence,relationships, communication, high standards, more customers, more doors of opportunities, correct personnel for my company as I knew we would be growing, more importantly becoming more aware of my surroundings and picking up instantly on all opportunities coming my way, still loads to learn but eager for all to come at once.................
its been one hell of a journey from crossing the Atlantic a couple of times, to meeting amazing people in my life, have so many people to thank, but for me past is done and whats great about the future is that it is still to come, create your own opportunities and dreams, next 6 years looks amazing, KEEP WATCHING GUYS............................
Posted by Stevie Kidd on 01 June 2010 in : KDS Training, KDS Youth Training, Kidd's Distribution Services - KDS Distribution, Personal Enhancement, Road Safety, Training corporate, Training employability
Stevie Kidd people
Today I realised that I have made the right choice when it comes to naming my new company which website will be launched early June officially, "Stevie Kidd People"
This week I have worked with a professional boxer, to business woman to a people with severe trauma, someone even told lorraine my executive assistant I was a genius which floored me today, after which I enter the training room and go one hour with passionate motivation to my training academy,
what I do is all about people, always has been and always will be, with what I do it is always about partnerships, SO PEOPLE AND PARTNERSHIPS THATS WHAT THE SECRET IS TO SUCCESS.
My closure is to enhance and help one million people, I have 15 years to achieve this dream and goal as I plan to be around until I am 55 working tirelessly, after which I will tour the world doing the same as now just at a lesser pace....
Heres to the journey..........................
Stevie Kidd...............
Posted by Stevie Kidd on 26 May 2010 in : KDS Training, KDS Youth Training, Kidd's Distribution Services - KDS Distribution, Personal Enhancement, Road Safety, Training corporate, Training employability