Driving tips

Harsh Braking

Harsh braking is usually a predictor of aggressive, distracted, or unsafe driving. Unnecessary harsh braking increases the risk of accidents and collisions and leads to unnecessary vehicle wear and tear (think brake pads!). Prevent harsh braking by planning ahead anticipating the behaviour and actions of other road users and ensure safe following distances.

Harsh Cornering

Harsh or aggressive turns are nearly always indicative of excessive speed. Whether you are trying to go for the gap at junctions or roundabouts, or ‘make progress’, harsh cornering can lead to serious motor accidents. It can lead to drivers losing control through oversteer (losing the front end), understeer (losing the back end), fishtailing or even rolling the vehicle.

Speeding

Everybody speeds. Don’t they? However almost all accidents on the road have speed at the heart of the problem. There are more controls on the road (speed limits, speed cameras, average speed cameras, speed bumps, chicanes, traffic calming layouts etc) and in a vehicle (speed limiters- both manually operated and programmed in, speeding alerts, visual warnings etc) to help govern speed. Remember the speed limit is a limit- not a target. Be aware of the type of vehicle being driven: its weight and size. Pay attention to YOUR speed, don’t just follow the flow of traffic. Continually adjust the speed according to the changing priorities ahead and presenting hazards

Harsh Acceleration

Safe drivers continually adjust the degree of acceleration based on a number of factors including speed limit, road surface, weather conditions and proximity of the next hazard. Drivers who harshly accelerate are often perceived as aggressive.

Safe Following Distances

Always keep a safe behind the vehicle in front, on all roads, at all speeds. Increase the following distance in poor weather conditions

Other Top Tips

Human Factors

• Remain a calm driver
• Be a safer driver
• Always maintain concentration
• Avoid distractions

What kind of driver are you?

• The distracted driver
• The driver under pressure
• The New driver
• The unfit driver
• The unlicensed driver
• The angry driver
• The nervous/over cautious driver

Keys to safe driving

• Reduce speed (slow down and stop rushing)
• Think ahead (effective observation, anticipation, and forward planning)
• Be prepared to stop
• Keep your distance
• Avoid distracted driving
• Understand the highway code
• Know your vehicle
• Vehicle maintenance
• Check your mirrors (Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre)
• Is it necessary and safe to overtake?
• Every weather condition is a potential hazard
• Always be aware of vulnerable road users
• Put safety first in all driving decisions

Distracted driving

Every driver becomes distracted at some point during a journey.

• Visual (by what we see either in the vehicle or on the road. Even the ever useful sat-nav can be a distraction)
• Auditory (by what we hear – think kids arguing in the back!!)
• Cognitive (our thoughts can and will distract us. Concentrate on the task at hand. Driving!)
• Physical (stop playing with the ever-increasing gadgets found in modern vehicles)
• Stop texting, phoning, eating, drinking, smoking, daydreaming, applying makeup, shaving…..concentrate!

UK Driving Stats

• Every year around 85,000 UK drivers are convicted of drink driving
• 88% of cars speed on 20mph roads
• 52% of cars break the speed limit on 30mph roads
• 48% of vehicles break the motorway speed limit
• 9% of cars exceed the speed limit on single carriageways
• 69% men compared to 31% women involved in reported road accidents
• The most common motoring offence is speeding
• After speeding, driving without insurance is the second most convicted offence
• In 2019 drug drive convictions outnumbered drink drive convictions

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