DRIVERS in the Bradford district are being urged to slow down on country roads to avoid tragedies.

The advice comes from West Yorkshire-based road safety charity Brake, and insurance company Direct Line, after a survey they conducted revealed that one in seven drivers in the past year have been forced by another driver's overtaking to swerve, pull over or brake to avoid a collision.

The survey published today also found that 80 per cent of motorists have felt endangered by an overtaking manoeuvre, either of their own, their driver, or another vehicle. Ninety-four per cent of drivers have witnessed a risky overtaking manoeuvre, and more than half see them monthly or more often.

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake, said: "Overtaking on single carriageway country roads is a huge risk, and one that ultimately just isn’t worth it. Why risk it and rush?

"You could cause a devastating, high speed, head-on crash that ends lives and ruins others.

"In spite of this, a significant minority are still taking the risk and performing this aggressive and selfish manoeuvre. We’re urging all drivers to avoid overtaking on country roads unless absolutely essential and 100 per cent safe."