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Advice for pre- and new drivers

Audio commentary:

W ake up to the dangers of driving at night. The streets appear different and you lose your peripheral vision, so you won’t be able to see that drunken pedestrian stumble into the road until it’s far too late.

A bstain from alcohol and drugs when driving. It is impossible to calculate the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream and driving when under the influence of drugs is lunacy.

S peed limits should not dictate how fast you drive – they are not a target – some allow you to go far too fast, especially on rural roads or round corners. Drive as though every bend will reveal a hazard and give yourself enough time to react to unexpected situations. Also be aware of the principles of cornering – the most common faults of cornering are entering too fast or accelerating before the exit is clearly seen. Use your speed wisely, as there are times when you need to use the capabilities of your car to benefit your driving. Overtaking should be completed in the minimum time, leaving the road clear for approaching or following vehicles, but if you cannot complete the overtaking manoeuvre without putting you or other drivers in danger then you shouldn’t be attempting it at all. Having said that, speed limits should never be broken and they don’t need to be. On a four mile journey, a car travelling at 30mph will only take a minute longer to get to its destination than a car breaking the speed limit at 35mph.

T ake care of your passengers. Your car will react completely differently when bearing the weight of your mates. It will take longer for you to stop and their constant chattering will also be an added distraction to you. Also be courteous to other road users and let them know your intentions – as Prince once said, “You’ve got the horn so why don’t you blow it?” so use this and your indicators wisely.

E nsure your car is in good working order. Maintenance will not only keep you safer, but it will allow you to avoid a massive bill when it’s time for your MOT. Also make sure you know the capabilities of your car and give yourself time to accustom yourself to a new vehicle – every car is as individual as its driver.

D istance yourself. You have no way of knowing what the driver in front will do, so give yourself time to react to their appalling driving. This will give you plenty of time to move into a better road position, ensuring you’ll always be in the right place at the right time. It will also allow you time to assess the situation, decide safer strategies for safer driving, and also allow you enough time to react to novel situations, like Swindon’s ‘magic roundabout’.

?  Question yourself – continually. Good driving comes after years of experience, so don’t get complacent just because you’ve passed your test. Also drive with concentration and consistency – approaching each hazard in the same manor will aid your development. And keep up to date with the rules of driving contained in the Highway Code. You wouldn’t build flat pack furniture without instructions, and driving should be no different.