Category Driving Tips

Safety Considerations and Winter Driving

If you’re no stranger to our blog, you will know that we often pass on information about safe driving. However, the winter months require more care than you might think, and it’s not just how you drive! Your car will also need some “tender loving care” as well in order for you to avoid breaking down.

If you’re properly insured (and you should be), there will always be a professional waiting to help you if you do happen to breakdown but it’s still something that can mess up your entire day. So, below you will find some handy tips that will help you prepare for those cold winter months ahead.

Electrics and Your Battery

During winter, you will place a higher demand on the electrics in your car. Think about it? You use your wipers more often, the heating will be on, you’ll use your lights more, plus there will be times when you want to de-mist your windows.

This all puts pressure not just on items like wipers, but your battery as well. If you’re a new driver, you should know that batteries will not usually last more than five years and will need replacing. If you’re not sure how old your battery is, ask the professionals. Replacing your battery ahead of time could save you having to call for roadside assistance, taking time out of your day that could be used better elsewhere.

In order to help conserve your battery make sure you don’t leave your car idling for too long (this also saves petrol). Once your windows are free of mist turn the de-mister off, and if you’re not likely to use your car for a couple of days just give it quick burst now and then so the battery doesn’t go flat.

Vision

This is something that’s affected far more than any other time of year so try following the tips below:

  • Make sure all your windows and mirrors are free from ice, snow and dirt so you get a clear view of what’s going on around you. If you have snow on the roof of your car, don’t drive off without removing it first. You could end up with a pile landing on your windscreen which will not only surprise you, but might cause an accident as well!
  • Keep your windscreen washer fluid topped up and make sure you use a detergent that’s made for vehicles, and definitely DO NOT use antifreeze because this will damage your paintwork.
  • In the case of antifreeze, you may need to add this to your water cooling system and if you’re not sure ask a professional.
  • The sun sits very low in the sky during winter so it’s a good idea to make sure you have a set of sunglasses in your car, and use the sunshield as well (its there for a reason)!

Finally

As long as you ensure you pay more attention to the internal parts of your car that can breakdown during cold weather, keep your vehicle clean and take it slowly you shouldn’t have a problem with driving at this time of year.

Driving in the City – Tips for New Drivers

Nerves! It may seem like they’re never going to end when you’re learning to drive, and to top it all off when you have managed to get a full driving licence, you’re faced with a whole host of other obstacles that can get your heart racing! If you already live in a city the chances are that’s where you learned to drive, so maybe you can take a look at our blog on “potential hazards when driving in the countryside” instead.

However, for those of you that live in the suburbs or a rural area the mere idea of having to drive in the city may seem like something that should be avoided at all costs. But, you’ve learned to drive not just so you can add a new skill to your list but so you can gain greater freedom with when and where you travel. So, below are some tips to think about when driving in the city.

Plan a Route

Big cities can be confusing if you’re not used to them, and the pace of life is much faster. You will come across people who use the roads in a city all the time, and they know all about the little shortcuts and generally how other road users go about their daily routine on the roads.

This is why you should plan your route in advance. There are all sorts of tools to help you these days. You can go to various websites on the internet that will give you detailed instructions on how to get from A-B. If you’re meeting someone at your destination, ask them for instructions. After all, they will know the area well.

You could and should take a map with you just in case you get lost however; it’s not recommended you attempt to read this while sitting at a set of traffic lights or when you’re in traffic. If you must use a map, find somewhere safe to stop.

Take It Slowly

Once you’ve set out on your journey and finally enter the world of city driving, don’t be tempted to act like you know it all. This could lead to an accident, you getting lost or even upsetting another road user. Instead, observe the speed limit and make sure you take note of all the signs (warning or otherwise).

Other Useful Tips

  • If you get in a pickle about which lane you’re supposed to be in, don’t panic! Changing lanes at the last minute is one of the biggest reasons accidents happen in the city.
  • Show some respect for other road users, and don’t be tempted to react if someone waves a fist at you.
  • Keep a special eye out for other types of vehicles. There will be all sorts that you don’t come across normally. This might include motorcyclists, buses, cyclists, Lorries and of course, the dreaded taxi!

Overall

If you plan in advance, take your time and keep your own safety in mind, driving in the city won’t be as daunting as you think. In fact, once you’ve done it you may even find you like it!

The Potential Hazards of Countryside Driving

It doesn’t matter of you’re new to driving or if you consider yourself to be a veteran, it’s very easy to think that a nice drive in the country is much easier than say, driving in the city. However, as with all forms of driving the countryside has its hazards as well and these really need to be considered, especially if you’re used to the city.

The mere thought of stunning scenery and the wind blowing through your hair as you travel the open country roads sounds like the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, and it can be as long as you think about the points made below:

Bends

Unlike urban areas, the countryside is often littered with potentially dangerous bends you’re not used to and one of the biggest mistakes any driver can make is taking them too quickly. If this happens the most natural reaction is to hit the brakes, and this is something that could land you in a ditch or even worse hitting an oncoming vehicle.

Look well ahead when you’re approaching a bend. Are there warning signs telling you how steep the bend is going to be? Can you see around the bend? Warning signs are there for a reason and you should make sure you take in what you’re being told. Keep your speed down, and if your view is obscured by trees or bushes take things especially slowly.

Other Vehicles

This may seem like an odd sub-heading. After all, there is far less traffic in the country than in a city however, the types of vehicles you may come across in this type of environment can be bulky and slow moving. For instance, as you come round a bend you may be faced with a tractor or some other form of farming vehicle, and these move at a snails pace. Again, we go back to bends and why you should be especially careful.

It’s also tempting to overtake a vehicle like this because they’re larger than you, obscure your view and of course, they move very slowly. But, this can be very dangerous. Instead, keep your patience. The person driving the vehicle in front of you will know the area very well, and you’ll be surprised at the amount of them who will either move over or wave you around them when it’s safe to do so.

Animals

Unfortunately, there are times when we come across small animals like squirrels or the odd fox in urban areas, and they do get run over but in the countryside you have bigger “fish” to think about. Imagine coming around a bend only to be faced with a herd of cattle or sheep? Any farmer will be less than happy that you’ve just ploughed through their precious animals.

You also run the risk of coming across other woodland animals that can do an awful lot of damage if you can’t avoid them. Deer for instance can appear from nowhere so be aware of this.

The fact is you can enjoy a drive in the country, just take it slowly and be aware of the potential dangers.

Getting Back Behind the Wheel after a Road Accident

Sadly, road accidents are on the up in the UK and there are a few reasons for this. One is there are more vehicles on the road than ever before, and each year many thousands follow. Another reason is the amount of people who take to the roads without any thought for their own or other drivers’ safety.

If you’ve been in a road accident, getting back behind the wheel can be a very traumatic experience. For some, it’s something they will never do again and this is quite understandable, especially if you’re accident was serious and has left you with physical scars that will never go away. However, for those of you that suffered a minor accident, you can feel like you’re expected to just “get back on the bike and ride it”!

People who haven’t been in a road accident find it hard to understand what you’re going through mentally. This is because they cannot see what you’re going through. For example, if you have a huge pimple on your face, you will get far more sympathy for it than you would if it was somewhere no-one can see. You get the idea.

So, on to how you can get over those nightmarish jitters once you’ve returned to full health again.

The First Time

It could be that you look at you car sat in the driveway, and it immediately fills you with horror (and I speak from experience with this one). The one thing to remember is you should take this as slowly as you like. Even if you just start by approaching your car and taking a peek through the window you’re making progress. It might not fee like it, but you are.

Once you’ve mustered up the courage to open your car door, just sit behind the wheel for a while. Get used to how it feels, and if you start to feel anxious simply get out again. Trust me when I say this, you will find each time you sit in the driving seat it will be easier to spend more time there.

Once You Feel it’s Time to Drive

One word of warning here: DON’T attempt it on your own. Take someone with you that you trust. You don’t even have to go out on the open roads. You could just take a quiet back route around the area you live so you don’t come across many other drivers.

It may take time. For some people its weeks, for others its months so don’t rush. If you do, this will send you backwards.  Over time, you will get over this and if you’re having real trouble with getting back behind the wheel there is no shame in speaking with a councillor, that’s what they are there for! You could even ask a driving instructor to help you. There are many professionals out there that are not just about teaching people to drive, they can also help you get your confidence back with driving again.

Tips on Driving Safely in the Rain

Rain never seems to be that far away in England, even during the summer months. However, we have now reached that time of year when we can get what seems like endless days of grey, miserable days with a never-ending deluge from the sky above.

You would think that many drivers are used to waking up to wet, and potentially dangerous roads and know all the precautions that should be taken when you get behind the wheel. But, you would be surprised at how inexperienced a lot of drivers are. So in the following few words, we’re going to give you some tips on how to drive safely when it’s raining.

Speed

This is an obvious point. When the roads are wet and you have to make an emergency stop, it will take far longer for your car to react. Sticking to the speed limit is something you should do whatever the weather conditions, but in the rain it’s vitally important! Accidents happen more often in poor weather, and a great number of them are due to the fact that people drive at the same speed they would in fine weather.

If you’re on the motorway, be especially careful and NEVER go above the speed limit that’s set out in front of you. That is to say, if you come across a digital sign telling you the limit is 50mph make sure you don’t go over this.

Aquaplaning

Some of you reading this may have no idea what we’re talking about. What aquaplaning means is when your car is travelling on water, and has little or no contact with the road. This can be incredibly dangerous and you could lose control. The main thing to do is stay calm. Slow down without using your brakes and steer as straight as you can. Of course, this point does kind of go hand in hand with speed so bear that in mind too.

The Car

There are a number of things you can do to make sure you’re visibility isn’t reduced when you’re on the road in the rain. Many shops sell rain repellent products you can spray on your side mirrors and windows which will help. Make sure your wipers are in good working order, and that the cool setting on your heating system is also working. The latter will help if your windows start to “fog” up.

If you’re Nervous

If you you’re worried about driving in the rain, where you can take an experienced driver with you. They can act as a second pair of eyes, and it will help your confidence. Where possible, avoid driving in the dark because rain repels light and this can affect your visibility. Most of all, TAKE IT SLOW!

Don’t worry about other road users who appear impatient with you (they’re probably not thinking about safety anyway). If you get to a point where the weather is really affecting your concentration, and you’re concerned about being safe find somewhere to pull over for a while. Following a few of the simple steps above will help your confidence grow, and most importantly will keep you safe!

Taxing Your Car

So you’ve passed your driving test, and you think you have it all covered. You’ve got your new driver plates correctly placed on your car so everyone knows they should be a little gentler when it comes to reaching for the horn if you make a mistake. You have your car insurance all sorted out, and you proudly carry your full driving licence with you at all times.

However, you do have one more hurdle to overcome, and this is something that can easily be missed by even the most seasoned drivers. This “little” thing to remember is the renewal of your car tax. If your tax runs out, you’re stopped by the police and you can’t prove you’ve already applied for a new disc you could be in a lot of trouble.

Whilst you may be looked upon a bit more leniently if it’s your first offence, you shouldn’t take this part of driving law lightly! In some cases you could end up with a hefty fine (which will cost you WAY more than if you had paid for your new tax disc in the first place), and if you’re really unlucky it might mean prosecution. Not a great way to start life as a driver is it?

When You Should Apply

You MUST do this before your current tax disc runs out. Before July of this year you had 5 days after the expiry date to display your new disc. Now however, you get 14 days but this doesn’t mean you can be complacent about making sure you get your application in on time.

If your car is spotted parked on public land, and the expiry date (which is usually the last day of any given month) has passed you will be asked to for proof that you’ve applied for a new one.

How to Apply

Well, this has got an awful lot easier since I first learned to drive. These days you have a number of options open to you. You can go direct to the DVLA website and apply online, you can go to your local post office and renew there or you can contact the DVLA by telephone. In fact, it’s that easy these days there is no excuse for not having an up to date tax disc in your car.

What If Your Car Is Off the Road?

I’m sure there many members of law enforcement that have come across the excuse “my car is off the road”, but you have to remember you need to be able to prove it. If you’re not currently using your vehicle, it MUST be parked on private land. Parking it on the road outside your home won’t cut it with the police.

You should also make sure you have completed a SORN form, or Statutory Off Road Notification. These forms can be obtained directly from the DVLA or at your local post office. Be honest when you complete the form because the chances are, if you lie, you will be found out.

Remember, paying your car tax is a legal requirement and as said, it does carry its penalties if you try to flaunt the rules!

Applying for Your Driving Licence Online

If you have been through the process of applying for your provisional driving licence, you will no doubt be aware that you can easily do this online through the DVLA. Of course, you can make use of the postal system which is obviously a lot slower, but some people don’t have regular access to the internet.

Once you’ve passed both your theory and practical driving exams, you will receive a pass certificate. This is a VERY important piece of paper, and if it gets lost you can end up having to deal with a whole lot of red tape which is something a new driver really could do without.

What to Do Next

If you have been using a driving instructor, the best thing to do is pass the paperwork on to them. They will then deal with the application that’s required so you can swap your provisional for a full licence. This makes life much easier for you because your instructor will have done this many times over, and should be able to complete what’s needed within minutes.

If you don’t have an instructor to fall back on, your next step is to send all the relevant paperwork to the DVLA in Swansea by post. Everything you need can be found on their website. If you don’t have access to the internet, pay a visit to your local post office. The staff there will be happy to let you know which form needs completing (which, by the way is called a D1). If you’re lucky you will also find someone who will be more than happy to help you complete what’s needed and make sure it’s safely posted.

Usually, you will receive your licence in the post within 4 weeks of sending it off and you’ll at last be free to make use of your own vehicle (which you’re licensed to drive) without any worries about having the right paperwork. However, there are pitfalls which you should look out for if you intend to make use of the internet when swapping your provisional for a full driving licence.

There are Sharks on the Market!

Just recently the DVLA announced a warning on their website detailing information about companies that offer to do a “check and send” for you, and they’re very convincing! When you enter the phrase “apply for a driving licence” into your search engine (or something similar), watch out for websites that may appear as paid or sponsored links.

You should be aware that these are NOTHING to do with the DVLA, and all you will ever receive from companies like this is an application form that has been completed for you. This is something that can be done in minutes, and you may end up paying as much as three times more for the privilege!

The standard fee from the DVLA for a driving licence is £50, nothing more, nothing less. So, if you’re asked to pay more avoid these services like the plague. The best thing to do is follow the advice given above and you’ll be fine.

Careless Driving – What You Should Know

In order to pass your driving test you will have to take a theory and practical exam. During the learning process you will be taught all sorts of things about careless driving. After all, this is one of the most common reasons accidents happen on UK roads, and being aware of what’s deemed careless or not is vital!

However, once you have passed and you’ve at last got your hands on a full driving licence, it’s very easy to pick up bad habits that you might not think are dangerous, but the police do. There have been many stories over the years about people who have been taken to court for what a policeman thinks is careless driving, but might seem a little “over the top” to the average person. However, you have to remember it takes a split second for an accident to happen and it can have horrendous consequences.

Standard Rules That Apply

There are some obvious rules you should make sure you adhere to at all times, but if you’ve only recently passed your test, it doesn’t hurt to refresh your memory. Think about the following every-time you get into your car:

  • Never overtake another vehicle on the inside.
  • Do not drive too closely to the vehicle in front of you. Not only will this catch the attention of the law, you may end up having to make an insurance claim because you’ve hit the back of someone-else.
  • Of course this is a pretty obvious point but don’t think you will never get caught if you drive through a red light. In fact, you’ll be surprised at the number of drivers who end up in an accident for this reason.
  • Be very careful when you’re coming out of a side road. If you do this and you’re in the path of another vehicle people can get hurt!

The Less Obvious

It’s not difficult to let your concentration lapse when you’re driving. After all, it’s not long before it becomes second nature to you so consider some of the points below:

  • Don’t eat your lunch while you’re driving.
  • NEVER use your rear view mirror for anything else other than what it’s there for.
  • As you will no doubt know, using a mobile phone without a hands free kit is now illegal in the UK but even if you do use one, this may be frowned upon by the police.
  • Taking out a cigarette and lighting it will take your mind of what’s happening on the road, and it will also give your hands something-else to do other than steer your car!
  • Tuning your car radio in or putting a CD on to listen to can also land you in a fair bit of trouble.

Overall

The words above are just a condensed collection of information when thinking about careless driving. The fact is you can run the risk of getting points on your licence, being handed a hefty fine or even worse being disqualified from driving if you’re deemed to have been careless. Never forget that your car is not an invincible bubble that will protect you from anything, and you’re the one that should be in control at all times!

Your Car and Extremely Hot Temperatures

We felt it prudent to go “off track” with our blog this week. Normally, you will find us writing about learning to drive and everything that goes with it. However, this past week or so, the UK has experienced a heat-wave. Something that appeared to take everyone by surprise, especially given the winter we’ve just experienced.

As usual, there are has been various reports in the news stating how people are suffering as a result. In some cases, people were even sent home from work! However, what we intend to deal with today is the safety and comfort of your car when the UK does get extremely warm temperatures.

General Car Maintenance

Tyres

Your tyres will warm up far quicker when the weather is hot (for obvious reasons). This is why it’s imperative you check the air pressure is correct. In fact, this should be part of your routine car maintenance but, it’s especially important in hot weather. The reason is that rubber swells and that’s what your tyres are essentially made of. Air also swells in the heat.

Put the two together and you have a recipe for disaster. In the very worst case scenario, you may suffer a blowout while you’re on the motorway, and the consequences can be disastrous. If you’re not sure how to check your tyre pressure, consult the handbook that comes with your vehicle. If you’re still unsure, ask someone who is likely to know.

Water

Yes, it is a good idea to keep a small bottle or two in the car so you can remain hydrated if you get caught in a traffic jam. But, you should also remember that your car gets thirsty too. Make sure the water levels are where they should be or you could end-up on the side of the road with an overheated radiator. You should also make sure you have plenty of screen-wash to keep those pesky insect remains at bay.

Keeping Yourself Comfortable

Lots of cars these days have air-conditioning. At the very least, they give you the option to turn the air that comes out of the vents to cold. Once you’re aware a hot spell of weather is on the way, make sure your air-conditioning is working, especially if you’re going on a long journey. As mentioned, make sure you keep plenty of drinking water in the car as well. Heat exhaustion can catch you unawares, and whilst accidents caused by this are very rare, you don’t want to take the chance.

If you have leather seats, these will need to be shielded from the sun. Not only will this help to keep the upholstery in tip-top condition, it will save you from a burnt behind when you get into the car. You may also want to consider keeping a towel to sit on (leather can get pretty sweaty).

Overall

These are just a few very basic points to consider when you’re out driving in extremely warm temperatures. Just bear in mind your car needs to stay cool just as much as you do!

Distracted Driving and the Dangers

Let me start by telling you about an experience I once had when I was driving home from work. It was dark, the roads were wet and I was travelling on a standard road which wasn’t busy. There was a car in front of me which was travelling at the speed limit (like me). What happened next appeared to take place in slow motion.

There was a van parked in the road ahead of us and, as I watched I thought “this driver is going straight up the back of that van unless he slows down now”. To my horror, he crashed straight into the back of the van. Of course, I immediately stopped and rushed over. The driver seemed a little shocked, but otherwise OK. I asked if he needed any help and he said he would be fine.

One main thought sprang to mind after this little incident which could have been a lot worse if we had been in busy traffic or, he was travelling far quicker than 30mph. What was this person doing that caused them to miss a transit van parked right in front of him So much so; he ended up hitting the back of it.

There were two conclusions:

  • He had been drinking alcohol and his reactions were not what they should be.
  • He took his eyes off the road.

The first point is something the police would obviously have to work out, the second however, is what we call distracted driving and it can be very dangerous indeed.

Reasons Why You Might Be Distracted

If you’re travelling alone, the following can easily happen:

  • You decide to change the CD your currently playing in the car. This involves not only taking your eyes off the road, but your hands off the wheel (even if it is only one).
  • You’re head is turned by an attractive person or something happening on the street.
  • You decide to answer your mobile phone without using the hands-free kit. In actual fact, answering your mobile when driving can be considered a distraction anyway.
  • You go looking for a map because you’re lost.
  • Possibly one of the worst distractions is Sat-Nav systems that have a visual display. These are (in my opinion) a constant distraction. You may not realise it, but you will be able to see the map at all times out of the corner of your eye, and it’s very tempting to look at it.

If you’re travelling with passengers:

  • Talking to someone for the most part is OK, and we all do it. However, you can be tempted to look at them.
  • If you have kids in the back of the car it’s tempting to look in your rear-view mirror when you talk to them (also a distraction).

What Can Happen

The majority of accidents on the road (fatal or not), are caused by distracted driving. It takes a split second for something to go wrong. Imagine that you’ve just looked down at your mobile, look up again and a cyclist is in the path of your car or, worse a child!

Keeping in mind how distractions can cause accidents is something you should think about every-time you take to the roads. It could save your life!