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

The advice comes from Brighouse-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 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?"