To drive safely you need to be able to concentate fully on your driving.  Always turn your mobile phone off, and resist the temptation to destroy your stereo speakers with max volume on your in car entertainment system.

Keep safe – Be happy.

When approaching a restricted gap (ie parked vehicles) remember to give a 1 metre clearance on both sides of your car.

If you can’t leave a 1 metre gap, then slow down and be prepared to stop.

REMEMBER!  LESS GAP = LESS SPEED.

Whenever you get into a car, prior to moving off, you must carry out your cockpit drill.  This involves checking your handbrake is on, gearstick is in neutral, all doors are shut correctly, adjusting your seat, seatbelt, steering wheel height, and finally your mirrors.

This is to ensure that you are comfortable, can reach all the controls with ease and have good all round vision.

Remember:  If you FAIL TO PREPARE, then you should PREPARE TO FAIL.

Anticipation is a crucial part of driving.

With good anticipation you can avoid getting into potentially dangerous situations, because you can adjust your driving to compensate for another drivers actions which you have anticipated.

An example is………… why is the oncoming car close to the centre of the road, yet not indicating right.  The chances are he has forgotten to signal, or there is a fault on his indicators.  You anticipate that he may turn across you and you adjust your speed accordingly.

When the car sweeps across the road in front of you, it doesn’t catch you unawares and once more you have kept yourself, and others, safe.

Another great result!

When signalling make sure you give your signal clearly and in good time.

Signals are given to Warn or Inform, but not to confuse other road users.

Always make sure you check your mirrors before any change in speed or direction, (ie – before any manouevre, lane change etc.).  It is important to know what is happening all around you, so that you are aware of how what you are about to do will affect other road users.

If you use the accelerator, brakes, clutch and steering smoothly, not only will you give your passengers a comfortable ride, but you will also reduce the wear and tear on your car, resulting in saving pounds on maintenance expenses.  What a result.

When braking, it is important to apply the footbrake smoothly and progressively.

Remember!  To avoid the car lurching forward as you come to a halt, ease the pressure on the brake pedal just prior to the car coming to a stop.

Remember!  In wet conditions it can take twice as long to stop as in dry conditions.

In dry conditions, use the 2 second rule.  As the vehicle in front passes a reference point, (a bridge or road sign for example), say to yourself; “Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule.”  If you have already passed the referne point you are too close and you need to gradually increase the gap to the car in front.