In this instalment of John Murdoch’s Drive Time, John reveals howMazda’s new flagship SUV has been awarded a five-star safety rating in Euro NCAP tests and warns motorists that police forces have started their festive drink-drive operations.
Mazda’s new flagship CX-80, which is due to arrive in the UK next February, has been given a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
The CX-80 was praised in the evaluations for its adult and child safety.
The handsome CX-80 also scored an impressive 84 per cent in the Vulnerable Road Users category.
The autonomous emergency braking system’s (AEB) response to pedestrians both in front and to the rear of the car was good, as was its performance in tests of its reaction to cyclists, including protection against ‘dooring’ – where a door is suddenly opened in the path of a cyclist approaching from behind.
Meanwhile, the new Subaru Forester was also given five stars and registered scores exceeding the required threshold in all four key assessment areas, Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road Users and Safety Assistance.
All Subaru models in the UK have now attained Euro NCAP five-star status, following the Subaru Crosstrek attaining its five-star status in September.
Moving on to other motoring news, and with police forces across the country starting this year’s seasonal drink-drive operations, road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist is calling on drivers to make safety their priority and ensure they take no risks with drinking and driving.
GEM urges everyone looking forward to a festive night out to ensure there’s no temptation to drive home afterwards.
Pre-booking a taxi, agreeing with a designated driver or making arrangements to stay at a friend’s house or hotel are sensible arrangements that remove the risks associated with drink driving.
GEM fully supports calls for a reduction in the drink-drive limit, which research shows would save at least 25 lives, and prevent a further 95 serious injuries every year.
As part of the 2023 police operation to tackle drink-driving, police officers conducted 49,812 breath tests, of which 9.5 per cent were positive, failed or refused.
The current limit in England and Wales is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, while Scotland reduced its drink-drive limit to 50 milligrams in 2014 to bring us in line with the majority of other European countries.
The message is clear, according to GEM: alcohol impairs judgement, and driving after drinking even a small amount of alcohol raises every driver’s risk of being involved in a collision.
Roads policing numbers may have fallen considerably in recent years, with fewer police breathalyser tests taking place, but the risks from drink driving haven’t gone away.
GEM head of road safety James Luckhurst said: “It’s shocking that 18 per cent of all road deaths should be drink-drive related3 because these are all entirely preventable.
“No one should be willing to risk driving after drinking alcohol.
“That’s why this Christmas we urge everyone to take personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others who share the road.
“It’s not about the risk of being caught, or trying to establish how much we can drink and remain legal.
“Impairment begins with the first sip. So if you’re drinking, then don’t drive. If you need to drive, then don’t drink alcohol.
“Forward planning takes away pressure to get behind the wheel, so we encourage you to plan your night out: book a taxi home, appoint a designated driver or stay the night at a friend’s house or hotel.”
“Alternatively, appoint a designated driver to enjoy a wider-than-ever selection of non-alcoholic drink options, including mocktails, juices and fruit punches as well as non-alcoholic beers, lagers, ciders and spirits.
“Some pubs even offer complimentary soft drinks to drivers during the festive season.”
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