UK collision data shows that human factors such as driver error, inattention, fatigue, poor judgement, and emotional state are involved in the majority of road traffic collisions (1)(2). These factors exist before a vehicle moves and are not detected by a visual walk‑around of the car or bike.
Pre‑drive checks are usually understood as mechanical tasks: tyres, fuel, lights, mirrors. These checks are essential, but they only address part of the process. A meaningful pre‑drive check also includes the condition of the person who is about to drive or ride.
Are Collisions and Near Misses Linked to Failing Personal Checks?
UK collision analysis shows that driver or rider error or reaction is recorded as a contributory factor in approximately 67% of reported collisions (1). These errors include failures of attention, judgement, observation, and response, all of which are influenced by physical, mental, and emotional condition.
Further contributory factors include:
- Failure to look properly, recorded in around 38% of collisions (1)
- Injudicious action or poor judgement, recorded in around 22% (1)
- Careless, reckless, or hurried behaviour, recorded in around 16% (1)
Fatigue is estimated to be a contributory factor in 10 to 20% of all UK road collisions, and up to 25% of fatal or serious collisions (3)(4). Fatigue‑related crashes are more likely to result in serious injury because reaction and braking responses are reduced.
Near misses are not routinely recorded in national datasets. However, research, insurer data, and road safety bodies consistently link near misses to the same human factors: tiredness, distraction, stress, emotional overload, and time pressure (3)(5).
Driving in Anger: What Are the Risks?
Driving while angry, upset, or emotionally agitated increases crash risk.
Large naturalistic driving studies have found that drivers who are observably angry, distressed, or emotionally agitated show a substantially higher likelihood of being involved in a crash compared with emotionally neutral drivers (6). Emotional agitation impairs attention, increases cognitive distraction, and reduces the ability to regulate speed and judgement.
Driving‑related anger is associated with:
- Increased inattention and driving errors (7)
- Reduced patience and impulse control
- A higher likelihood of aggressive manoeuvres
These effects do not require extreme emotion. Low‑level frustration or unresolved stress can still narrow attention and delay responses in ways that are significant at road speeds.
What Happens If You Do Not Check Yourself Before You Drive or Ride?
Failing to assess personal readiness increases the likelihood of the following:
- Reduced situational awareness due to distraction or emotional rumination (6)
- Slower reaction times, particularly when tired or stressed (3)
- Poor judgement when assessing speed, gaps, and hazards (1)
- Increased aggression or over‑cautiousness, both of which elevate risk (7)
Many serious collisions occur not because of a single mistake, but because several human factors are present at the same time and remain unchecked (2).
The 5 Personal Pre‑Drive Checks
Before driving or riding, assess yourself using the following five checks.
1. Emotional State
Strong emotions such as anger, distress, or anxiety are linked to increased inattention and higher crash risk (6)(7). Consider whether emotions are likely to interfere with concentration or patience.
2. Mental Focus
Cognitive distraction, including internal distraction from stress or preoccupation, is a major contributor to driver error and missed hazards (2)(6). Assess whether attention is available for the driving task.
3. Physical Condition
Fatigue impairs reaction time, vigilance, and decision‑making. Its effects can be comparable to alcohol impairment in some circumstances (3)(4). Consider sleep, illness, medication, pain, hunger, and hydration.
4. Time Pressure
Careless or hurried behaviour is recorded as a contributory factor in a significant proportion of UK collisions (1). Time pressure increases risk‑taking and reduces tolerance for delay.
5. Intention
Deliberate decision‑making supports attention and self‑regulation. Automatic or emotionally driven journeys increase risk when combined with other factors (7).
Benefits of Checking Yourself Before You Drive or Ride
Completing personal pre‑drive checks can:
- Improve awareness and reaction times (3)
- Reduce aggressive or impulsive behaviour (7)
- Lower the likelihood of near misses (6)
- Improve judgement and patience (1)
- Reduce stress during and after the journey
What This Can Prevent
Personal pre‑drive checks can help prevent:
- Near misses escalating into collisions
- Injury or death to the driver, rider, or others
- Legal and financial consequences
- Psychological trauma and long‑term regret
With around two‑thirds of collisions involving driver error, small improvements in personal readiness have meaningful safety impact (1).
Conclusion
Most road traffic collisions are linked to human factors that are present before a journey begins.
Checking emotional state, mental focus, physical condition, time pressure, and intention provides an opportunity to identify risk before it becomes unavoidable.
A short pause before driving or riding is often enough to prevent a situation that cannot be undone.
References
- Howden Insurance (2024) The UK’s top causes of road collisions. Available at: https://www.driving.org/the-uks-top-causes-of-road-collisions/
- Department for Transport (2024) Road safety factors: initial analysis. London: DfT. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/road-safety-factors-initial-analysis
- RoSPA (2024) Driver fatigue and road collisions factsheet. Birmingham: Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
- Brake (2024) Driver fatigue. Available at: https://www.brake.org.uk/get-involved/take-action/mybrake/knowledge-centre/driver-fatigue
- Driving Instructors Association (2024) One in seven Brits involved in an accident or near miss due to driving whilst tired. Available at: https://www.driving.org/one-in-seven-brits-involved-in-an-accident-or-near-miss-due-to-driving-whilst-tired/
- Dingus, T.A. et al. (2016) ‘Driver crash risk factors and prevalence evaluation using naturalistic driving data’, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(10), pp. 2636–2641.
- Love, S. et al. (2025) ‘The influence of driving‑related anger on driver attention’, Applied Cognitive Psychology, 39(2), pp. 1–14.
Next Mile Driver Training 