With the Easter bank holiday right around the corner, many of us will be planning to take a Spring road trip or even a long weekend away – But have you prepared your car for the journey?

Before setting out on any long journey, it is essential to carry out the Pre-Drive checks. This will help you to identify any issues with the vehicle that may hinder your journey, and give you chance to rectify any problems in advance of setting out.

It is also good practice to plan your route thoroughly. This does not just mean knowing which roads to drive on, but you should also take into account other factors such as time of day which may affect the amount of traffic on the roads – For example, Friday nights on the Motorways can be heavily congested.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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The owner of a Chevrolet Camaro SS has used it as a tooth extractor! On a video that he uploaded onto Youtube, you see that driver Rob Venomous after tying a piece of string around his eight-year-old son’s front tooth and instructing him to keep his head up, he hops into the driving seat of his 426 horsepower sports car and hits the accelerator.

As the revving of the powerful engine shatters the quiet of the residential street, the tooth is yanked free leaving the boy grinning at the camera as his mother captures the whole stunt on video.

While motor fans may be inclined to agree, common sense should prevail when deciding whether to tie your child’s head to the back of your car.

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Like many of our students, when you pass the Theory test, you are likely to feel a huge weight off your shoulders. The relief is fantastic – Suddenly, you are no longer working towards a pipe dream – Becoming a full driver is now a real-life goal, within reach for you . You are half way to becoming a legal UK driver now having passed the Theory test.

You now have two years to start preparing for your practical test. Whilst this may seem like a long time, it will probably go a lot faster than you think – So don’t waste any time – If you have not had any practical driving lessons yet, you need to find an instructor and get clocking the hours up, so that you are ready for your test in no time.

If you’re looking for a fast route to driving, then perhaps our Intensive course is for you. Whichever option you take, you can find relief in the fact that from this day forth, you will never have to take a mock Theory test or brush up on your Hazard Perception again.

Safe driving from Britannia!

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Nearly every driver has seen other motorists use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving according to a recent survey. With the number of deaths and serious injuries on UK roads rising by 4% to nearly 25,000 in 2014, consumer research by used-car specialist British Car Auctions (BCA) found that 95% of respondents had seen other motorists using a hand-held mobile while on the road.

According to the BCA research, 83% had seen other drivers texting and emailing whilst on the road. But mobile phones are not the only technology distracting drivers. Over half of respondents (52%) admitted to looking at their Sat Nav rather than the road at a junction or roundabout and 47% had seen other motorists doing the same. A small percentage even confessed to accessing the internet or social media whilst driving.

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With the weekend ready to commence, many of us may be opting to leave the car behind as we enjoy our nights out, or otherwise may have become the designated driver for the group! As long as you remember to refrain from drinking when behind the wheel, you have made the right choice.

Either way, it is important to remember when you are driving this weekend, the same rules apply as throughout the week, although the driving conditions may be different. For example, Saturday afternoon is likely to be reminiscent of morning rush-hour traffic with an abundance of vehicles on the road – whereas by Sunday morning, the roads are arguably at their quietest all week!

As a learner driver I always liked to have my driving lessons on Sunday mornings – With less traffic and calmer conditions, I personally found it the best time to learn, as well as the most fun! Just remember, that whilst being a “Sunday Driver” is perfect for these quieter times, not everyone wants to see this all week round…

Whatever driving you do this weekend, drive safely, from Britannia!

Mert Tanay, from Enfield, was filmed by police in an unmarked police car weaving in and out of traffic on the M20 in Kent, overtaking officers and then reaching a maximum speed of 140mph.

However, not only was Tanay speeding but when police officers pulled him over at Junction 9 at Ashford he was found to have had a six-year-old boy as his front-seat passenger. Officers reported that the boy was left “very shaken” by the experience.

Tanay has now been banned from driving for three years and was told to carry out 50 hours’ unpaid work after admitting dangerous driving at Canterbury Crown Court.

Kent Police have condemned his actions stating ‘Tanay’s actions on what is a busy motorway fell far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver’.

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In the modern world, many of us will choose not to opt for a brand-new car straight from the forecourt, instead going for the much more financially friendly option of a used car.

However, whilst buying a previously-owned car does have its advantages, there are a few things you need to watch out for when taking your test drive:

– Take out Day Insurance. Most car dealers should have their own insurance policy, but if you are buying privately we strongly recommend taking out Day Insurance for yourself. Remember, the car is not brand new, and so there could be problems with it during your test drive.

– Treat it like a first driving lesson. You have never driven this car before, so you will not be used to the vehicle. Take a moment in the driving seat to adjust to the interior and get to grips with the feel of the car before pulling away.

– Check all of the controls. Start with a cold engine, and test the clutch, brakes, pedals, indicators, electrics, windscreen wipers, even the radio – You will only have a limited time in the car during your test drive, so you need to find any potential flaws with the car before you commit to a purchase.

Safe test driving from Britannia!

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