Roads

Motorways

Motorway driving can be tedious and as a result it can be easy to loose concentration and make you less aware of speed. Check your speed regularly and make sure you stay alert and schedule regular breaks. Don't forget that stopping distances increase with speed and so leave a large gap between you and the vehicle in front, if the vehicle tailing you gets too close move lanes and let it pass. Remember to look well ahead and if you get stuck behind a large vehicle change lanes or drop back so that your view of the road ahead is not obscured.

Country Roads

Many use to busy cities and congested traffic jams may think that open country roads and the ideal spot to test out their engine and put that foot down. It is important to keep to the speed limit as country roads can have just as many hazards as those in the city.

Be on the look out for :

Farm Vehicles: Keep your distance and leave enough room if overtaking.

Blind Corners: Slow down and position your car remember to drop your speed and avoid sudden breaking or steering

Narrow Roads: Be aware that country lanes may only accommodate one vehicle so be on the look out for passing places and drive slowly.

City Driving

Driving in cities has its own hazards too, try and keep speed down and avoid driving too closely to the car in front.

Pedestrians: Remember to keep an eye out for pedestrians – stop at zebra crossings and keep speed down in residential areas. Remember to drive very slowly when driving near a school. These areas are usually clearly marked and it is important to keep eyes peeled as children often run across roads without looking.

Motorbikes and Cyclists: Motorcyclists and bike riders are much more vulnerable than car drivers, try to be accommodating – leave enough room when overtaking and let them pass if they need too. Make sure you are always on the look out for bikes approaching from behind.

Weather

Rain

In wet conditions tyres have less hold than on dry roads and stopping distances will be at least doubled. As a result it is important to keep your distance from cars in front and keep speed down. Travelling too fast when it is wet can also lead to aquaplaning where a layer of water forms between the road and your tyres resulting in you loosing control of your vehicle.

Snow and Ice

Clear snow from all your windows and windscreen before driving off, check as soon as possible that you have a grip on the road surface by braking gently in a safe place. As with wet conditions stopping distances will be increased so drive slowly and allow more room to slow down and stop if needed. Take care at bends and be aware of black ice, brake gradually on the straight before you reach a bend and drive as slowly as possible. If you are stranded in snow, stay in your vehicle unless shelter is within easy reach.

Fog

Upon entering fog, check your mirrors and slow down. Use your foot brake lightly so that your lights warn the drivers behind you. Use dipped headlights and fog lights if visibility is reduced. Beware of other drivers who are not using their headlights; pedestrians and cyclists too become harder to see and so you should decrease speed and keep eyes open.