Browse by category

Driver Maintenance

Besides the vehicle remember some driver maintenance as well! If you develop a medical condition, such as epilepsy, or fainting consider your fitness to drive and take your Doctor's advice.

Have your eyes regularly checked. You should be able to read a clean number plate of the old style from a minimum distance of 20.5 metres (approximately 67 feet or 5 car lengths). If reading a new style number plate (these letters are narrower) you must be able to read it from a minimum distance of 20 metres (approximately 66 feet). If you are in doubt then visit your optician.

The use of prescription medicines can impair your ability to drive. Even over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold cures, hay fever & allergy drugs can severely affect your alertness at the wheel. Check with your pharmacist if you take these and are unsure about their side-effects.

Drive thoughtfully

Be nice behind the wheel. Sounds silly, but isn't it good when someone lets you out of a busy junction, or stops to let you through without a grateful gesture. Courteous, considerate driving is expected by the Police and if they see someone two inches from the car in front, lights on high beam, leaning on the horn, then that driver can expect to get pulled over for some well deserved advice, a check of their vehicle and driving documents.

We all make mistakes when driving, some have serious consequences, but most just cause momentary inconvenience to other road users. Getting angry or abusive with another driver, won't solve the problem or get you to your destination any faster, and could get you reported to the Police.

The internet site My Road Rage has hit on the novel idea of "naming and shaming" road ragers, displaying their index numbers and the details of their behaviour. It's worth a look just to see some of the outrageous behaviour road ragers get up to.

Mobile Phones

Since 27th February 2007, you commit an offence if you use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. The penalty is three points on your license, plus a fine of £60.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) people who use hand-held mobiles are four times more likely to crash, injuring or killing themselves and/or other people. Driving using one hand, whilst concentrating on listening to a phone call and talking clearly isn't a good idea, and if you get seen by the Police you are guaranteed to get pulled over.

If you have a crash whilst on the phone, the Police can easily prove it by simply checking with your mobile service provider, and you could be looking at a much more serious charge, especially if someone gets seriously hurt. If like most of us you can't help answering the phone when it rings, and you don't have a hands free fitted to your car, turn the ringer off and pick up the answer phone message when you get to your destination.