You might take pride in your car – Showing off your new pride an joy to your friends and family can be a great feeling, but do you ever take a second to think what would happen if someone were to attack your car?

We’re not talking about mindless vandalism here. No, one of the main reasons for cars being damaged is leaving valuable goods on sight. Whilst is it very difficult to steal a car these days, unfortunately it is not very difficult to smash a car window and make off with a phone, handbag or wallet – Unless the would-be-thief can’t see one in the first place.

Always keep your valuables hidden safely in your car when you are not using it, otherwise you will have the costs of replacing your belongings as well as a broken window.

Safe driving from Britannia!

If you have finally managed to pass the driving test, you will likely be looking forward to getting behind the wheel of your own car and taking to the roads – But whilst this is a great privilege, it also comes with it’s own responsibilities too.

When you are driving your own car, you are in charge of everything that happens in that car whilst it is moving. Are your friends fighting on the back seat, causing you to lose concentration? Is your dog trying to join you on the drivers seat? Is the cars physical condition causing a danger to other road users? This is all your responsibility.

Remember, after having a car accident, assigning blame to others is not likely to give you much comfort – So accept the responsibility yourself.

Safe driving from Britannia!

Driving can present a wide variety of challenges – From learning to manoeuvre the car successfully, to managing to navigate traffic safely and much more, there is a long learning curve to be faced when becoming a qualified driver.

One such challenge is first mastering the feat of driving alone. For many learner drivers, it is a source of comfort having a passenger next to them such as their driving instructor or a family member, often giving prompts to help them with their driving.

Having this crutch removed can be daunting at first – Just try to act as if you are still on a driving test, and make every move as safely as possible, to ensure your first drive alone does not go awry.

Safe driving from Britannia!

There are many nerve-racking scenarios we can face whilst driving – Some of these might include coming up to traffic lights that are not working, or entering a motorway for the first time. But one event keeps drivers on the edge of their seat more than any other – Being pulled over by the police.

If this does happen, it is important to know what to do. Firstly, always remember to stay calm – Starting to panic will never help, and will just make you look suspicious. Remember it is possible that the police car is not even following you – So just pull over to the side of the road and let the officer pass, or pull up and approach you.

Always cooperate with the police officer in question, even if you believe you have been pulled over unfairly. Never get aggressive or argue – This will just make the situation worse for yourself. In most cases, it is just a routine check anyway, so don’t worry!

Safe driving from Britannia!

There are any number of problems that can befall a modern motorist – From your car overheating to running out of petrol, or even your handbrake failing – You really need to be prepared for any eventuality.

However one event many drivers dread is puncturing a tyre, necessitating a tyre-change part-way through your journey. Whilst many of us may simple opt to call a parent or even roadside assistance, it is actually surprisingly easy to change a tyre.

Always make sure you are fully safe before attempting to change a tyre, such as parking in a safe space, rather than the hard shoulder – If possible, request the help of passengers or passers-by to assist – Why make things harder for yourself?

Safe driving from Britannia!

As a driving school, we have seen all types of learner drives – From the young confident learners, to middle-ages drivers looking to brush up on their skills behind the wheel – But one type of learner we find to be very common is the nervous driver.

What many don’t realise is that some drivers can actually have a phobia of driving – Often this comes as a result of a traumatic incident from behind the wheel, such as a car accident at a young age, or a fear of the unknown aspects of driving. However don’t worry if this sounds like you – We can help you to beat your driving fears and become a confident enough driver to tackle these phobias!

Get in touch with us to find out more!

Safe driving from Britannia!

Many of us will have pets, and those of us that are dog lovers will enjoy taking our favourite canines out for a drive to get them out of the house – But are you aware of the safety precautions you should take when out and about with your dogs.

First of all, always take care when getting in or out of your car with your dog – It only takes a second for a dog to jump out of a car and dart into a busy road, so always maintain a good grip on their leads. Secondly, always ensure they are properly restrained when inside the car – A dog harness or seat belt should help to keep them safe when driving.

Finally always remember to never leave your dog in the car on a hot day – This can be dangerous and potentially fatal, even if it is cloudy.

Safe driving from Britannia!

There are a variety of emergencies that can happen when out and about in your car – From your car catching fire, to the bonnet flying open on the motorway – But by far one of the most terrifying experiences any driver can go through is having your brakes fail on you.

This scenario however can be easily avoided by a simple routine test, that you can and should carry out each and every time you set foot in your car. Always make sure to test your brakes twice before properly starting your journey – Once with a static test, by pressing the brakes before you even start the engine – The brakes should feel firm and offer some resistance, rather than being loose or floppy – And secondly just after you pull away at low speeds (not an emergency stop), to ensure your brakes are able to stop your car from moving.

Safe driving from Britannia!

Candidates for the driving test are having to wait over twice as long to sit the test, according to recent figures.

Whilst the DVSA states a target time of just six weeks for learners to be able to take their test, the Department for Transport website has announced the waiting times are in fact currently at around 14 weeks.

The head of operations at DVSA conceded that there were delays with booking the test, and said that they were working to address the problem as quickly as possible.

Safe driving from Britannia!

When first learning to drive, there is certainly a lot to take in – From first learning the controls of the vehicle such as the indicators and the windscreen wipers, up until understanding how your car reacts at higher speeds, there is much more to it than meets the eye.

It is important to really get to know your own car. Remember, each vehicle is different, and the correct way to do something in a friends car may not work in yours. For example, the biting point may be much higher or lower, or the brakes may be much sharper between two cars.

Always ensure to really understand your own car to make you the best driver you can be.

Safe driving from Britannia!