Many of us, particularly those currently undergoing their driving lessons, may be chastised for “coasting” – but what exactly does this mean? And why shouldn’t we?

Coasting (or “freewheeling”) refers to driving a car that does not have a connection between the engine and the wheels. Whilst it does usually refer to manual transmission cars with the clutch depressed, the same effect can be achieved in an automatic by selecting the neutral gear.

Whilst it is true that coasting saves fuel, it will reduce the control you have over your car. Without the engine engaged, the braking will not be working, and so if you are going downhill, you will simply pick up speed without control of slowing down. Which will have obvious repercussions.

Safe driving from Britannia!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas from all at Britannia!

We hope that you’re having a wonderful day with your loved ones. Whatever you’re doing to celebrate your day we hope that it is a brilliant one.

If you are driving today, we advise you to be careful on the roads and have a safe journey.

Have a wonderful day!

We all love the Chris Rea classic and we’re sure a lot of you have been on the roads in the build up this Christmas for last minute shopping or travelling to spend Christmas with friends and family.

Tomorrow over 4 million of us will take to the roads of the UK to visit friends and relatives, and although you will be busy enjoying the festivities of the day, do not forget to take care of your car this Christmas Day. There is likely to be increased traffic and congestion tomorrow so take extra precaution and be aware of other road users.

Also keep in mind that your car can break down at any time, and that tomorrow is no different. Remember to perform all of the necessary pre-flight checks – oil, fuel, tyre pressure, and central heating, plus all of the other essentials needed to complete your journey. The last thing you want is for your car to break down and leave you stranded for the best part of Christmas Day!

Make sure you drive safely this Christmas Day. And finally, Britannia Driving School wishes you all Merry Christmas!

The Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre is one of the key phrases you are likely to come across during your driving lessons – and rightly so, as it is a vital piece of information that you will need to become a safe and responsible driver.

But many drivers don’t actually heed the true meaning of MSM – indeed, many even admit to not using the technique after passing their test. So what does it actually mean?

Mirrors: This is key to ensuring that you maintain full awareness at all times. It is crucial to know which mirrors will show which part of the area around your car, but if in doubt, check all mirrors to make sure that you are fully aware.

Signal: To be a safe driver, you must always advertise your next move well in advance of making it. Using your indicators is necessary to let other drivers know what you are planning to do, so that they can act accordingly.

Manoeuvre: The final step in making any movement in a car involves good use of the clutch, brake and gas pedals combined with a good steering. Many nervous drivers struggle with multi-tasking, so this can be tricky to get just right.

Safe driving from Britannia!

When we think of drivers and texting, it is easy to think of younger drivers and it is usually the case that young drivers are singled out as being the most reckless on the roads. Elderly drivers have also recently been the subject of much debate, with many arguing that they should be required to take a retest.

However, a recent study has showed that drivers aged between 45 and 59 are four times more likely to swerve dangerously out of their lane if they try and text whilst driving. The study which tested drivers in a simulator found that every driver in the older category accidentally crossed from one lane to another while using their mobile phones to send a text message, compared with 25% of 18-24-year-old drivers.

This study, therefore, disproved the theory that younger drivers are more easily distracted and are more susceptible to the dangers of texting and driving. The participants in the older category has been chosen because they were proficient at texting with one hand, owned smartphones and indicated they were prolific texters in order to ensure that texting ability wasn’t a variable.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below:

Many drivers, particularly those that are new to the roads, will not be able to afford a brand new car immediately, and so will opt for the choice of buying a second hand car from a private seller.

But what do you need to know when buying a car?

– Has the car been in an accident? This could affect the drivability and legality of the car, so this is a must.

– Has the car been modified in any way? You will need to know all details of any changes made to the car in the past before taking it on as your own.

– What is the correct mileage? This will affect how long the car will remain in good condition for, and so will determine whether it is good value for money.

– Does it need any work? If there is any damage to the car, such as scrapes, dents or even worn tyres, you may want to reconsider the purchase – or haggle for a lower sale price!

Is there anything we have missed off? Let us know below!

Safe driving from Britannia!

Many myths persists about the advantages and disadvantages of driving diesel cars over petrol and vice versa, but what are the facts?

Car Cost – Diesel cars can cost more to purchase than their petrol equivalents, by as much as £1000 – £2000. However, this will pay off in the long run if you drive more than 15,000 miles per year and don’t drive often in cities.

Fuel Cost – Whilst diesel fuel is more expensive to buy when filling up, again you will get your money’s worth if you do a lot of driving, as it has a more economical rate of miles per gallon.

Running Cost – Petrol cars will usually have a higher rate of road tax to pay, and will often not have as good a re-sale value as their Diesel counterpart – although the insurance is usually cheaper with Petrols.

In general, there is no way to tell overall which type of fuel car is best for you, it just comes down to your specific needs.

Safe driving from Britannia!

Vanessa Price, the owner of a Smart car, was fined £50 for parking at a right angle to the kerb in an on-street parking bay. Although the ability of Smart cars, which are less than 9ft long, to fit into small spaces at right angles to the pavement is well known, and a unique selling point, the traffic warden insisted that the front of the car overlapped the white bay markings, leaving it illegally parked.

Mrs Price, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, finally had her ticket overturned last month after a year long battle. She won her battle at a parking penalty tribunal after the adjudicator said she had not breached any traffic regulation order by leaving her car as she did.

Price stated that she pursued the case not because of the money but because she believed it to be wrong. Legal costs were in excess of the £50 she had been fined.

What are your thoughts on this article? Send your views to Britannia Driving School by using the comments link below: