Driving School in London and Romford

As a new driver, one of the hardest things to deal with is the number of hazards on the road.  With more vehicles, pedestrians, cyclist and other distractions, you need to be very aware as you drive.  So what principles can you remember to help you be as safe as possible on the road and be aware of those hazards?

Learners School Driving School in London and Romford

Focus on the road

As well as being many hazards outside the car, there can also be many distractions inside the car but when you are driving you need to focus all of your attention on the road.  For starters, it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone or other devices while driving unless it is to call 999 if there is an emergency.  If you need to use the phone, simply pull over somewhere safe.

In the same way, things like messing around with the car stereo, heating system or any other non-essential systems can take your attention away from the road.  Set the car up before you leave and try to avoid messing around with these things while driving.  Never try to pick up anything you have dropped on the floor while driving either.

Be calm and alert

Aggression on the roads is a sadly common part of modern society but it is important to do as much as you can to avoid this yourself.  Don’t drive if you are angry or upset about something and should you encounter someone who is aggressive and confrontational, try not to engage them, especially if you are still driving.

One of the biggest causes of accidents can be people driving while tired and losing their concentration or even falling asleep at the wheel.  If you are tired, don’t drive or if you are on a long journey and feel yourself becoming tired, then find somewhere to stop and take a short break.

Expect the unexpected

While you might know what drivers are meant to do in a certain situation, this doesn’t always mean they actually will so it pays to drive somewhat defensively.  This gives you time to react to anything unexpected or random that other drivers do before an accident can occur.

Always leave a safe distance between yours and another vehicle.  A simple trick to measure this is to pick a landmark and when the vehicle in front passes it, count for two seconds and if pass it before this mark, then drop back a bit.  If the weather is bad or you are towing a trailer or caravan, then leave a bigger gap as the car will need more space to stop.

Plan your route

While satellite navigation systems are brilliant, it never hurts to plan your route somewhat, especially if you are going somewhere for the first time.  Check the internet for roadworks and look for stopping places if you are going on a longer journey.  Always leave extra time so you don’t feel rushed and have the urge to speed to make sure you arrive on time.  And always check all the main systems on the car before leaving.