Millions of students packing up and heading for university over the next few weeks could be putting lives at risk by loading their cars all wrong, experts have warned.
Keen learners, including hoards of excited freshers moving away from home for the first time, will be hitting the roads with their parents ahead of starting a new life of independence and studying.
But there could be a potentially deadly issue before they even arrive at their university halls due to the way they load their belongings into the boot.
These objects could include heavy electrical items such as TVs and games consoles, plus kitchen utensils including sharp cutlery.
And if anything is not secured before setting off on these often long road trips, it could turn into a deadly missile travelling at a terrifying 65mph.
Graham Conway, Managing Director of Select Car Leasing, said:
“September is an exciting time for many young adults across the UK as they will be heading off for university for the first time. It’s also a very nervous and emotional period for parents as they wave their children off to live independently. So the last thing they want is to have any problems ahead of their arrival at university halls.
“But it’s one of the most common times of the year to see cars packed to the rafters travelling down the highways and byways of the land on the way to seats of learning. And overloaded vehicles can create a unique danger if certain steps are not followed."
“When there are lots of things to cram into the car it is very tempting to use any spare space, including the parcel shelf and empty back seat. But if these items – which can include kitchen implements such as sharp knives, plus heavy objects like televisions – are not secured properly they could turn into lethal projectiles if you are involved in a collision or even have to brake sharply.
“Coming to a sudden halt could dislodge objects that, even if fairly light, can travel forwards at up to 65mph and put drivers and passengers in the firing line. This is a dangerous recipe for serious impact injuries, especially to the head, which could have serious outcomes. Heavier items like suitcases could be even more catastrophic.”
Research commissioned by secured luggage manufacturer Fixeta showed that in an accident at 37mph, loose items in a car multiply their weight by 56 times.
This means a standard ‘carry-on’ size bag, tipping the scales at 10kg, would hit a driver or front-seat passenger with the equivalent weight of an adult bull (500kg).
Overloading cars so they exceed the manufacturer weight limit is also illegal, while items that block a driver’s vision could land them with a £1,000 and three penalty points.
If it causes a serious accident, they could even end up behind bars.
Select Car Leasing’s Mr Conway added:
“The advice is to only pack cars sensibly, making sure everything is secure, and to use strapping, bungee cords or even gaffer tape to lash down anything loose and make sure it does not become a potential killer.”
UK universities begin their autumn terms at the end of September, with studies running through to mid-December.
More than 50,000 young people are currently vying for places on higher education courses through the clearing system following last week’s A-levels result, which showed a fall in the top grades from the record high of last year.
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