‘Follow RUDOLPH’ to deliver Christmas

Last-minute shoppers, delivery drivers and gig economy couriers are being urged to ‘follow RUDOLPH’ to deliver a safe and stress-free Christmas.

The final few days before the big day means dashing to the shops, making last-minute deliveries and hitting the roads to get to family and friends. Millions will be sharing the space, so it is vital that being good a road user is top of everyone’s Christmas list.

Safety experts at Continental Tyres are calling on RUDOLPH to provide the guidance to see everyone and everything safe and sound across the festive period.

RUDOLPH stands for:

Roadworthy – whatever the vehicle, make it fit for purpose

Under pressure – get a grip with properly inflated tyres

Don’t drink and drive

Observation – stay alert, other road users can brake and change direction

Load – with a load on board all stopping distances increase. Everything needs to be securely in place

Pause – tiredness can kill, take a break when you need to

Hazards –be aware, adding to the usual risks on the road are festive revellers and wintry conditions

The ‘elf and safety’ advice is being offered as part of an ongoing campaign by Continental Tyres to improve road safety.

Their safety expert, Mark Griffiths, said: “The lead up to the festive holidays are a very busy time on the roads and many journeys are unpredictable as couriers are on unfamiliar routes, shoppers are chasing last-minute presents and the party season means more taxis and food delivery services out in action.

“From our ‘Sharing the Road’ work, we established that all road users recognise their reliance on one another in order to ensure problem-free journeys and importantly their willingness to work collaboratively to ensure road safety.

“Our RUDOLPH reminder offers a general prompt but also flags specific consideration like the handling properties of everything from cycles to delivery vans when laden and how that means increased braking distances.

“We sincerely hope RUDOLPH can guide everyone to have the safest Christmas possible.”
The British Retail Consortium has reported that even more of our seasonal shopping has switched to being online, which means many more couriers – in delivery vehicles of different sizes and private vehicles on the roads.

Though as High Street retailers respond to tempt last-minute shoppers and bargain hunters to head out, all road users are being urged to rein-in their worst habits, thanks to RUDOLPH.