A fundamental part of driving is forward planning and awareness. It is also what is assessed during the hazard perception section of the theory test. You should follow these steps:

– Scan along the road, looking out for all road users, checking rear-view and door mirrors for signs of vehicles. Get into the habit of doing this constantly when you’re driving, after some time it will become second nature and you won’t even need to make a conscious effort to do this. When you do this, you will need to take into account right turning traffic, road signs/markings, prohibited areas such as bus lanes, and all road users in both directions; junctions; intersections; crossings and other hazards.

– When changing direction or negotiating an obstruction, always apply the MSPSL routine. Do this in good time. If you are overtaking, is there a need? Is it legal? Is it safe? Is it necessary? Is it possible? If you can answer yes to all these questions, then you can commence the manoeuvre.

– When changing lanes, you should pay particular attention to vehicles in your destination lane. Are they holding back?

– Anticipate other road users, giving them adequate clearance. Also display a tolerant attitude to other road users.

– Make allowances for the weather, use the wipers, demisters and lights if applicable. Where it is sunny, make use of the sun visor and wear sunglasses.

Safe Driving from Britannia!

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Anyone who has learnt to drive, knows the joy once you pass your practical test. But it doesn’t end there. In fact, as a new driver you now need to learn to become an experienced driver:

Of course, you need to keep driving. There is no point in obtaining a full licence if you are not going to drive. The Safety Code for New Drivers issued by the government will help you drive safely in your first year. The guidance includes warning you not to drive between midnight and 6am as this is the most dangerous time to drive and not speeding or driving under the influence of drink and drugs. As a new driver, you will want to drive around with friends but you must make sure that you don’t let passengers distract you especially as a new driver.

Importantly, you must make sure you are insured to drive. Although insurance is expensive as a new driver, it is an offence to drive without it. If you accumulate more than six penalty points within two years of passing your test, you will lose your licence and will have to go through the whole process of passing both test again. And as a new driver, you would not want to risk that after all the effort you have put in!

It is also a good idea to take some lessons on the motorway and in difficult conditions. Driving on the motorway can be a daunting experience and so going on the motorway for the first time in an instructor car is the safest and easiest way to do so. The Pass Plus course would give you the chance to have motorway lessons and practice driving in difficult conditions such as in the evening. It could also save you money on your car insurance!

So, congratulations on passing your driving test but make sure you remember these points to start you off as a new driver! Let us know your thoughts by using the comments link below:

Safe driving from Britannia!

The dangers of texting whilst driving are being brought to the attention of young people through a variety of campaigns. This week a video released by the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has gone viral which depicts a young American driver being killed because she picked up her phone to answer a text. Similarly, West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service have launched a campaign called Safe Drive Stay Alive – a series of clips being shown to teenagers which highlight the dangers of a number of common driving hazards including texting whilst driving.

Studies have shown that texting at the wheel causes more deaths in teenage drivers than drink-driving suggesting that this is a problem that needs to be addressed. Unfortunately texting does not carry the same stigma as drink-driving with campaigns on safe driving mainly targeting drink and drugs whilst driving.

It is illegal to use a hand-held phone whilst driving; a motorist caught doing so can be prosecuted for careless or dangerous driving and even face 7 or more years imprisonment if someone is killed in an accident due to the texting.

However, until a nationwide campaign is launched highlighting the dangers of texting behind the wheel it is unlikely that many drivers, in particular young drivers, will refrain from texting whilst driving.

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Scotland’s transport minister, Keith Brown, has hit out at the UK government over a delay in proposals to restrict driving licences for young drivers. Brown is keen to press ahead with graduated driver licensing (GDL) which would place some restrictions on young drivers; however, the Scottish government cannot introduce its own legislation as driver licensing is reserved to the UK government.

The Scottish government claimed that, despite making up just 10% of licence holders, people ages 17 to 25 account for 23% of drivers involved in road accidents causing injury. GDL puts certain restrictions on newly qualified drivers and is already enforced in Australia, New Zealand and parts of the USA. Such restrictions include a ban on driving at night, lower maximum speed limits and limiting the number of passengers in the vehicle.

Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone argued: ‘the testing process appears incapable of identifying young drivers who are most at risk of being involved in accidents’. This is because those at risk were often the most confident during the testing process and suggested more training might be the answer. He argues that the minimum driving test age should remain at 17 but that people should be able to start learning at 16, giving them the opportunity of a full year under instruction before the practical test.

Conservative MP Justin Tomlinson has introduced his Graduated Driving Licence Scheme Bill at Westminster and the first reading in the Commons is now scheduled for June 2014.

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