Monthly Archives: August 2017

August 31, 2017
Talking Whilst Driving

When it comes to driving, concentration is everything. If you’re sat behind the wheel, things can often change in a split second, so you need to maintain your focus to make sure you can always react exactly as you need to to avoid making any mistakes or putting yourself or others in danger.

Because of this, keep an eye on how much you talk whilst driving. We’re not saying to be silent 100% of the time you’re in the car, but holding long, in-depth conversations with your passengers – Or talking on the phone, even – Can cause you to lose your focus and puts you at a higher risk of missing something important.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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August 30, 2017
How To Safely Tow a Caravan or Trailer

With the bank holiday approaching it’s likely you will want to get away, make the most of the good weather and enjoy some quality family time. And of course, if you’re going on a trip, you might also be planning on towing a caravan or trailer – and with so much space available it’s all too easy to overload!

Your driving licence lists the different categories of vehicle you are permitted to drive, including the size of caravan or trailer you are allowed to tow.

The weight of the loaded caravan or trailer must always be within your car’s towing capability. The combined weight of the loaded car and loaded caravan or trailer must be below the maximum ‘train’ weight for your vehicle. To ascertain what your loaded caravan or trailer weighs, take it to a local weighbridge, or weigh everything separately and then add it to what’s known as the caravan’s ‘Mass in Running Order’ or MRO (90% full fuel tank and the driver, but no other load apart from standard equipment/tools).

Unless you’re very experienced and confident, experts recommend that the weight of your loaded caravan or trailer shouldn’t exceed 85% of your car’s MRO.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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August 29, 2017
Abandoned Vehicles – How To Act

You have the right to report a car or vehicle if you suspect it has been abandoned – signs of which include the vehicle having been stationary for a long time (at least 21 days) subject to extensive damage – such as rust, broken windows or burn damage – missing registration plates, flat tyres or missing wheels.

Any vehicle considered to be abandoned is dealt with using the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 and the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 which contain relevant legislation used to remove abandoned vehicles from both public highways and private land. The whole process generally takes between 3 – 4 weeks.

The abandoned vehicle section cannot deal with cars that are taxed; by law they can’t be considered abandoned unless they have undergone serious damage and/or neglect.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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August 28, 2017
Smart Google App Helps Drivers Locate Their Vehicles

We’ve all done it at some point – parked up, gone off to do whatever needs doing and then come back to wonder where on earth we left our car… Well, Google has launched a nifty phone app that can be used to find where you parked your car, so say goodbye to aimless wandering around car parks!

All you have to do is set your parking location by turning on the option to “know where you parked” and allow Google Maps to access your motion and fitness activity. Tapping on the pin label will bring up a card where you can set a reminder to pay any parking meters, take a photo of your parking space, share your car’s location or make any handy notes. It really is as cool and simple as it sounds!

Safe driving from Britannia!

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August 25, 2017
Anxiety and Driving

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t inform the DVLA of a medical condition that may affect your driving, and may even be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result. Anxiety is no exception.

While a little bit of anxiety may keep you alert and focused on what’s around you, experiencing a panic attack behind the wheel can be alarming. The symptoms of a panic attack overwhelm the senses and make it extremely difficult to focus.

If you haven’t yet, visit your GP and/or take an anxiety test to find out more about how panic attacks and anxiety can affect your ability to drive safely. A person who suffers from anxiety is in absolutely no way a potentially dangerous driver – like any medical condition, if managed accordingly it should have no impact on any aspect of their lives.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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August 24, 2017
Keeping Your Cool in Traffic Jams

Perhaps one of the trickiest things for some drivers when stuck in heavy traffic on the motorway is holding their temper. Congestion is a frustrating business, especially as we’re all trying to get somewhere on time. Losing your cool will achieve nothing, except heighten your blood pressure and possibly trigger road rage.

If you are stuck in heavy motorway traffic due to an accident and/or fatality, remind yourself that you could be a lot worse off. You may arrive at your destination late, but at least you will get there in one piece. Suggestions to help you remain calm in traffic jams include practising controlled breathing – this is not only a proven technique for eliciting relaxation, it’s also simple enough to do behind the wheel.

Stay tuned into the traffic news on your radio or listen to soothing music, providing it does not distract you once you’re back on the move. It’s important to stay aware and be ready to react accordingly, even when stuck in traffic jams.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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August 23, 2017
Travelling with Babies and/or Children

All vehicle passengers need to be correctly restrained by seat belts or safety seats to avoid injury in the case of road traffic accidents. Children are among the most precious and vulnerable of passengers, being smaller, still developing and less aware of dangers. Specially designed child car seats reduce the risk of injury to children by 82% and reduce the risk of death by 28% when compared to children wearing seat belts alone.

Even if they are wearing a seat belt, normal car seats offer far less security to a baby or small child, and will not protect them in the event of sudden swerving or stopping, or if you are involved in a car crash.9

Babies should always be in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 24 months of age. Children should travel in a child car seat with a functioning harness until they are seven years of age, while children between 8-12 years old will likely require a booster seat to remain safe when travelling.

Safe driving form Britannia!

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August 22, 2017
The Consequences of Speeding

On average, 80% of motorists don’t know about the new, tougher speeding fines. You could end up paying hundreds of pounds more for more serious speeding, so it’s definitely worth knowing about the increased cost of speeding tickets! That said, it is common sense that you should always stick to or below the limit when behind the wheel, and always drive safely.

Even if you’re doing 31mph in a 30mph limit, you are still breaking the law, so be rational and think: is it really worth doing that extra little amount of speed?

Furthermore, speedometers aren’t always 100% accurate; someone with a speedometer that’s gone out of calibration could innocently think they were doing 30mph, when they were in fact doing marginally more.

While awareness on speeding has increased, approximately 50% of vehicles last year broke the 30mph limit on roads. Campaign development research established that the most effective approach would be to look at the consequences a driver would have to deal with if they killed an innocent person as a result of speeding. To imagine the guilt and upset of causing the death of another person is indeed an effective reality check for chancy drivers.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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August 21, 2017
Seat Belts Save Lives

It’s common knowledge that seat belts save lives – in fact they reduce the risk of death in car crashes by up to 45%. Even when going on short, familiar journeys at low speeds you are still putting your safety and the safety of others at risks if you do not wear a seat belt in your vehicle.

The law states that all drivers and passengers aged 14 and over in cars, vans and other commercial vehicles must wear a seat belt. As the driver of a vehicle it is your responsible to ensure that your passengers have their seat belts fastened before a journey commences. If you do not adhere to this you are putting safety and potentially lives at risks, and if pulled over by the police, then you could face a fine of up to £500. While no points will be endorsed on your license, a fixed penalty notice will be issued. Passengers should wear a seat belt even if they are pregnant, or disabled, unless their GP has advised that they don’t have to for medical reasons.

For further information on the seat belt and law please read the Highway Code or if you require further information on Britannia Driving School’s seatbelt regulations, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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August 18, 2017
Improper Footwear When Driving

There’s a fair amount of uncertainty regarding whether it’s against the law to drive barefoot, in flip flops or stiletto heels.
The Highway Code states that motorists must not wear footwear that compromises their ability to use the vehicle foot controls properly. Specifically, Rule 97 of the Highway Code states that before setting off on a journey, you should ensure that ‘clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner’.
Always bear in mind when stepping into your vehicle while wearing impractical footwear that you might well be putting yourself, your passengers and other road users at risk by not being able to drive the car safely. So while it is not illegal to wear improper footwear while driving, it is however against the law to drive unsafely.
According to the Driving Standards Agency, “suitable shoes are particularly important when behind the wheel. We would not recommend driving barefoot because you don’t have the same braking force with bare feet as you do with shoes on.”

Safe driving from Britannia!

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