Chris Parker Silsden Driving Instructor

Chill! Avoid road rage

Every driving licence comes with a set of responsibilities.

As a driver you are responsible for the safety of yourself, your passengers and other road users – this means you need a good attitude.

If you ever feel annoyed, ask your driving instructor for tips to stay calm (If another driver pulls out in front of you, put safety first. Chill out! Check your mirrors, slow down and be prepared to stop.

It might be that the other driver is a PRATT (Person Responsible for Atrocious Traffic Trauma) and has moved out aggressively.

So what? He/She is the one who looks stupid and you are safer with him/her in front and clearly visible, you will see the accident but not be involved in it!

On the other hand, the other driver may have misjudged the situation and genuinely made a mistake. None of us, no matter how experienced, are immune from mistakes. And of course you don’t know the full story – it could be that the other driver is rushing to hospital to see a loved one who has been in a car accident…

If you feel up-tight, take a couple of deep breaths and ease off the gas.

The other driver is going to take about three seconds of your time – this hardly a lifetime; however, three seconds could be all that is left of your lifetime if you respond aggressively and end up in an accident.

Avoid becoming a victim of your own road-rage. let it go…

You will find much more information about road rage in the DriverActive Online course.

This information is not only essential for safety during your driving lessons – it is absolutely essential for safe driving after you pass the driving test.

Two seconds to live…

The most common cause of accidents is a lack of space between vehicles, usually caused by excessive speed (5 mph can be too fast in some situations)

You owe it to yourself and your passengers to keep a safe gap between you and the car ahead at all times.

If you are ever behind the wheel, or in the passenger seat and your view to the front is something like putting your hand in front of your face … It’s only a matter of time before the crash (See ‘Too Close’ below)

The easiest way to judge a safe gap is to use the 2 second rule. By keeping a minimum of a two second time gap in front of your vehicle (double in poor weather) you will create space in which to react to any emergency that happens ahead. In wet weather or on poor road surfaces you should double this gap. Remember that two seconds is a minimum gap, the longer the gap, the bigger your safety margin.

Look around and you will notice that many drivers neglect to leave a sufficient gap, especially in poor weather conditions – read the news and watch TV and you will see stories about accidents in which people are killed and injured. Coincidence?

Too close?

Try holding your hand about two inches in front of your eyes and consider what you can see directly in front of you (No! not while you are driving!!) Now, keeping your hand in front and in line with your eyes, gradually move it away and notice how your view of the world in front is changing

If you now apply the same principle to large vehicles you will find that by keeping well back you have a wider field of view ahead (this is one of the reasons that drivers are advised to leave a ‘two chevron’ gap on specially marked sections of motorways).

Quite often, drivers who follow too close to large vehicles miss opportunities to overtake simply because they can’t see far enough ahead. By keeping well back you will be in a much safer position to overtake and as a result of this, you will probably complete your journey quicker

Driving your car: green tips

The way you drive and look after your car can make a big difference to its impact on the environment. Find out how simple actions like driving smoothly, changing gears at the right time and clearing out clutter can save you fuel and reduce emissions.

Consider driving less?

In the UK, more carbon dioxide (CO2) comes from people’s car travel than from any other kind of UK transport. Reducing your car travel is a key step to reducing climate change effects and local air pollution.

Nearly a quarter of all car trips are under two miles, a distance you can cycle in less than 15 minutes. Cycling and walking distances under two miles could help you get fitter and save you money in fuel. You could also consider:

• planning ahead so you can combine car trips
• car sharing
• using public transport

Before driving off

Making life easier for your engine can mean you use less fuel and produce fewer emissions.

Pump up your tyres – under-inflated tyres create more resistance, making your engine work harder. This can increase your fuel consumption by up to 3 per cent. Adjusting your tyres regularly, especially before long journeys, can help your car use less fuel and could increase the life of the tyres. Cars with heavier loads may need different air pressure and over-inflating tyres can be unsafe, so check your car manual for the correct pressure.

Tyres that lessen resistance

Some tyres are designed to reduce resistance between the tyre and the road surface (known as ‘rolling resistance’). Low rolling resistance tyres help to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

From November 2012, tyre dealers will give information on tyres’ rolling resistance, wet grip performance and noise. Rolling resistance will be rated from A (best) to G (worst). Information may be provided for many tyres before November 2012 – ask your tyre dealer when you’re next buying tyres.

Clear out any extra weight

• Remove unnecessary clutter and roof racks. This will reduce your car’s weight and air resistance.
• Have your vehicle serviced regularly. Well-maintained cars in good condition tend to run more efficiently. Check how often your car should be serviced by looking in the owner’s manual or contacting the vehicle manufacturer.
• If you carry out any work yourself, remember that waste from car maintenance (like old engine oil) is often hazardous. Dispose of it safely using council waste facilities.

Plan your route

Planning your route in advance, and using a map or satnav can help you take the shortest route and avoid getting lost.

While driving your car

Travelling at a constant 37 mph in fifth gear uses 25 per cent less fuel than in third gear

Following the smarter driving tips below could cut your CO2 emissions by around 8 per cent. This could add up to an annual fuel saving of up to one month per year.

• Drive at an appropriate speed – driving at 50 miles per hour (mph) instead of 70 mph can improve fuel economy by 25 per cent. Driving at slower speeds also gives you time to anticipate traffic ahead, helping you drive more smoothly.
• Speed up and slow down smoothly
• Every time you stop and start, your engine uses more fuel and produces more emissions. Check the road ahead and slow down early, giving the traffic time to start moving again before you reach it. You can then speed up again without needing to stop.
• Change gears at the right time – changing up gears a little earlier can reduce revs per minute (rpm) and reduce your fuel usage. If you drive a diesel car, try shifting up when the rev counter reaches 2,000 rpm. For a petrol car, change up at 2,500 rpm.
• Remember to change down a gear at the right time too – if your car is struggling, it will also use more fuel.
• Avoid leaving your engine running – if you’re likely to be at a standstill for more than three minutes, switch off the engine. When the engine is idling, you’re wasting fuel.
• Don’t use air conditioning unless you really need it – using air conditioning and electrical devices like mobile phone chargers increases your fuel consumption, so keep their usage to a minimum. Try using the fresh air vent to keep cool.
• Park in the shade on a sunny day. This will keep your car cooler inside and stop fuel evaporating from the engine and fuel tank.
• Get in and go – modern engines are designed to be most efficient when you get in and drive off straightaway. Revving them wastes fuel and increases engine wear and emissions.

Ice, unlike snow, is not always easy to see. The signs are an eerie silence. and light steering. If this happens, allow ten times longer to stop.

Winter emergencies

Snow can be deceptive. Often your tyres will have more grip on newly fallen snow than on slushy snow. Whatever kind of snow you are driving on you must remember you can prevent a lot of frustration (and stay alive) by anticipating winter problems and having the equipment to deal with them. Full preparation may leave you feeling that you are driving around with a boot full of ‘junk’ but it will be well worth it if disaster strikes. The car is more likely to go sideways than is gently testing your brakes from time-to-time will give you a feel for the surface conditions and available grip.

It is often said that slowing through the gears is better in poor conditions, however, engine braking can momentarily lock the wheels in the same way that normal braking can. I would recommend normal slowing techniques but with feather light use of the controls. Anti-lock brakes offer an advantage, but do not increase the available grip – they won’t always prevent skidding on ice!

Keep some spare clothing in the car. A warm dry coat, sleeping bag or blankets can be life savers. Heavy boots can slip off the pedals with disastrous results. A spare pair of shoes can keep your ‘no claims bonus’ intact. Signs and markings will be hidden in snow. You may know the roads and be aware of who has priority, but does the other driver?  Jump leads (read the instructions carefully), snow chains, sacking (to put under the wheels, a shovel, a torch, a tow-rope, de-icer, a brush (to clear snow off a standing vehicle), a reflective triangle. Something to eat and drink (not alcohol, this makes you lose body heat more quickly). If you are on medication, take your tablets, medicine, etc., with you. All of these things are useful, especially if you are making out-of-town journeys. I remember reading of a case where a motorist was rescued from a drift after firing a marine rescue flare into the air. Carry anything that you think might help you in an emergency.

If you have to turn your car around for any reason, keep the driving wheels on the firmest surface. Be aware of the differences between front and rear wheel drive in this respect – know your car.

If you get stuck in a drift (out of town) stay in your car. Many people have died trying to reach a farmhouse or hotel. Keep the engine running for warmth but make sure that the exhaust fumes can escape freely (clear the snow from the exhaust pipe) and that they don’t leak into the car. It’s well worth while keeping your fuel tank topped up in winter to cover this eventuality.

Other drivers may not know as much as you think you know about winter driving techniques. Give them lots of space!

ICE

Finally, when making long journeys in poor weather conditions take a break more often than you normally would. The extra concentration needed will make you tired more quickly. Not only do you want to arrive alive, you also want to arrive in a fit mental state for business or pleasure …

Allow more time for your journey. You will need time to clean snow and ice off the car (remember, as well as being extremely dangerous, it is an offence to drive with a frosted up windscreen). You are more likely to meet traffic hold-ups in poor weather. Allowing extra time will remove the need (or perceived need) to rush.

Start long journeys with a check on the weather conditions and forecasts. In high, or exposed areas (such as crossing mountains or wide plains) roads can become impassable very, very quickly.

Driving in fog

Most of the information needed for safe driving is gathered visually – fog severely limits the visual information available. This is why it is estimated statistically to be the most dangerous weather to drive in.

Fog not only takes away a lot of whet you would normally be able to see, it also distorts what you can see, making it difficult to assess speed and distance.

The best advice is to avoid driving in fog whenever possible, if you can’t avoid it, follow the guidelines on these pages.

What causes fog?

Fog is caused by by moisture in the air turning into fine vapour droplets – this happens when the temperature drops to what is called the ‘dewpoint’.

‘Dewpoint’ is simply a term which means that the air cannot hold all of its water as vapour and so the water becomes liquid.

Often you will see mist or fog forming on fields or around rivers, this is because of low ground temperature cooling the air. Effectively, fog is just a cloud at ground level. The seasons also affect the degree to which fog forms. Autumn is often described as the ‘season of mellow fruitfulness’ and is characterised by early morning mist.

A more scientific, but less poetic description might be ‘the season of radiation fog’! (Caused by water evaporating from land and water and being affected by infra red cooling.) Fog can be made worse by pollution and so is thicker and more persistent some areas.

Lights in daytime fog

You must always use lights if visibility is less than 100 metres (by law). Your lights won’t help you to see in foggy conditions, however, they help others to see you, therefore the more light you have, the better.

Use your headlights and fog lamps. Parking or dim-dip lights are as good as useless in daytime fog because they will not penetrate the vapour sufficiently. If the fog is really thick, use full headlights and spot-lamps – better still, stop for a cup of tea!

Front fog lights

Your driving instructor perhaps never told you about front fog lights… Maybe he didn’t know?

Front fog lights are usually mounted low down and give a broad flat beam. This reduces the amount of light that is reflected back by water droplets in the air. The most benefit from front fog lamps can be gained at night, especially on roads with street lighting.

Front fog lights will help you see the white lines and kerbs better – use them with dipped headlights (full lights are no use because the fog will simply reflect the light back making it harder to see). If the fog is really dense at night, switch off your headlights but leave on your front fog lamps other drivers will still be able to see you, but you will see more clearly because less light will be reflected back by the water vapour in the air (if the fog is really dense it’s best not to drive).

Craze or just crazy? There seems to be a ‘craze’ amongst some drivers to use front 
fog lights as driving lights when visibility is good. By doing this, you run the risk of dazzling other drivers who may the smash blindly into your car… Using front fog lights in clear weather is an offence but the rules are rarely enforced.

Rear fog lights

Lots of drivers put on their rear fog lights as soon as it starts to rain or when it gets is little misty. While I’ve no doubt that they do this with good intention it can cause more harm than good. High intensity rear fog lamps are designed for thick fog, typically 100 metres or less visibility. Using rear fog lights when visibility is greater than this can mask your brake lights and dazzle other drivers, thus increasing the risk of a rear-end collision rather than reducing it. Constant, dazzling bright lights can also add to fatigue at night.

The UK Highway Code says:

Rule 226: You MUST use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you cannot see for more than 100 metres (328 feet). You may also use front or rear fog lights but you MUST switch them off when visibility improves

Rule 236: You MUST NOT use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced as they dazzle other road users and can obscure your brake lights. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves.

When the word ‘MUST’ is used in The Highway Code it denotes a legal requirement.

It’s helpful to think of rear fog lamps as signals. Switch on your rear fog lamps when there is no one close behind – but switch them off as soon as they have done their job and the driver behind can see your regular tail lamps. For example, if you are in a slow moving queue of traffic in fog, the driver 5 metres behind doesn’t need your fog lights!

Keeping a safe distance in fog

It can be tempting to hang on to someone else’s tail lights in foggy conditions. Although this may be seem to be the easiest way to cope with the fog, especially at night or if you are tired, it’s a sure recipe for disaster. Because you can’t see very far ahead you will have little or no warning if the vehicle ahead of you stops suddenly – this is especially the case if it is using rear fog lights which can mask the effect of brake-lights. This can be made worse by slippery roads (which often accompany fog).

Now you see me…

Another problem on high speed roads is that fog can drift, one moment you have reasonable visibility, the next moment, you can see nothing. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination to think what might happen if the traffic ahead stops and you can’t see it!

Occasionally you will see people driving fast and overtaking on foggy motorways – these drivers are under a false sense of security on two counts. First, as they drive fast their cars push the air ahead of them giving a false sense of visibility as the fog ‘slipstreams’ over the car. And second. the actually believe that the road ahead will be clear! Blind faith or what!!

Stay well back and allow yourself plenty of room to stop if necessary. It’s all to easy to stop dead in fog.

General fog driving advice

• Avoid using full beam in fog at night as the light will reflect back off the fog and reduce what you can see. Apart from dazzling the drivers in front, your full lights can throw a shadow in front of their vehicles making it harder for them to see.
• Slow down – it’s easy to get a false sense speed in fog so check your speedo.
• At junctions, wind down your window and listen for other traffic – turning off the radio will help! Sound your horn to warn other drivers that you are there.
•  Check your speed often, especially on motorways and dual-carriageways – you may be increasing your speed without realising.
• When you stop in traffic or at junctions, keep your foot on the brake pedal until you know that the driver behind has seen you.
• Use your windscreen wipers and washers often and keep your de-misters switched on.
• If the fog is really dense use the left edge of the road as a guide.
• If you have to park, use a car park or other off-road location.

S.A.S – Space and Speed!

Remember S.A.S – your space and speed – watch your speed and leave extra space when driving in fog – and you’ll arrive Safe and Sound!

How To Avoid Breakdowns

People often feel vulnerable when their cars break down, particularly in remote areas or when a long way from home. Some breakdowns cannot be foreseen and are therefore inevitable.

However, there is a lot that you can do to minimise your risk or to help yourself if your car breaks down. As a minimum you should know how to change a wheel and check user-serviceable items.

In many areas there are evening or day classes to help you learn more.

Checking your car

Remembering daily and weekly checks will help ensure that your car is fully operational. Contrary to popular opinion cars don’t bite when you open the bonnet … and new cars are not dirty and smelly any more either!

A few minutes a week can save hours of frustration and worry. Your vehicle handbook will give you all the information that you need to make the checks, but you will find advice about simple vehicle checks and wheel changing in the You and Your Car area of the www.SmartDriving.co.uk Web Site.

Regular servicing

Many breakdowns can be avoided by having your car serviced regularly …

Emergency patrolmen from motoring organisations confirm that many breakdowns are completely avoidable – This is especially the case where the breakdown involves fuel, cooling or electrical problems.

Follow your manufacturer’s service recommendations and if you suspect a problem, have it dealt with before it develops into something serious.

Ever run out of fuel?

More than 50,000 motorists a year call motoring organisations because they have run out of fuel. Check your fuel gauge before you start your journey and carry a spare supply of fuel in an approved safety container.

Always double check that you are putting the correct fuel in your car, especially at strange garages or when you are tired. Using the wrong grade of fuel can cause poor performance – the wrong type of fuel will ruin your engine or your catalytic converter (in simple terms – that’s lots of cash!).

Ways To Lower The Cost of Motoring

In the current economic climate you might be wondering what, if anything, you can do to increase the money coming in, but it pays just as well to look at how to cut back on household costs.
Most people tend to be lazy when it comes to seeking out the best deals so here’s a some ideas to cutting down on one of the most money-guzzling objects you’ll ever buy – a car.

1. Fuel costs are paramount, and with the cost of gas going up, so make sure you check out what different garages are charging. There is a difference of 13p per litre between the cheapest and most expensive unleaded petrol prices (according to petrolprices.com) – that equates to a saving of £1.00 every 8 litres, which will mount up over time…
2. Watch how you drive – keeping a steady speed uses less equivalent petrol than a stop-start journey over the same distance. Also, it’s worth keeping to speed limits, and not just because you won’t be breaking the law. A driver who goes at 85mph will use 25% more fuel over the same distance as someone who keeps to 70mph. Not only are you less likely to have an accident (and hence keep down expensive insurance costs) but you’ll be saving on fuel as well.
3. Compare, compare, compare for insurance quotes. Sites like moneysupermarket.com and confused.com are a great starting point. Alternatively you can go directly to individual providers’ sites to see what premium they’ll quote. There are some genuinely worthwhile deals out there; give Kwik Fit Insurance a look and you’ll find that their car insurance currently boasts both a 20% online discount and a 10% discount at Kwik Fit centres. Another way to save on car insurance costs is to offer to pay the premium as a lump sum, as you’ll often pay extra for the privilege of spreading payment over the year. Remember though, that the make and model of your car, your driving history, annual mileage and even small things like the colour of your car will make a difference to your premiums – a metallic colour car will cost more to repaint if there’s damage to the bodywork, hence your premiums will be slightly more expensive to reflect this.

So, bear these points in mind and you’ll soon have saved enough to upgrade to that sports car you’ve always wanted!

Eco driving is good for the planet and good for your wallet too. Here are ten easy-to-implement tips for eco driving and, by carrying them out, you could make an overall fuel saving of 15% or more.

1. Drive smoothly by anticipating road conditions – be kind to the planet, your car, and your passengers by decelerating smoothly. Anticipate what’s happening ahead of you and, if you’re going to have to stop or slow down, ease off on the throttle as early as possible rather than brake at the last moment.
2. Drive at a steady speed in as high a gear as possible – keeping at a steady speed (and not accelerating or braking unless you have to) will help reduce your car’s fuel consumption.
3. Move to a higher gear as soon as possible – driving at a lower engine speed will also help reduce your car’s fuel consumption.
4. Drive a bit slower than normal – driving too fast is dangerous and uses more fuel. Make sure you keep within the speed limit, but for most cars 45–50mph is the most efficient speed. Over that, the faster you go, the more fuel you use.
5. Keep your tyres at the recommended pressure – driving with your tyres at the correct pressure will help them grip the road better and also use less fuel.
6. Close your windows when driving at high speeds – driving with your car windows open at over 50mph causes an aerodynamic drag on your car and can increase your car’s fuel consumption.
7. Switch off your air conditioning – using your air conditioning means your car’s engine has to work a little harder and use more fuel; so only use it when you really need to and, remember, if you’re driving at less than 50mph you can open your windows.
8. Turn off your engine if you’re not moving for a while – you’ll be surprised at how much fuel you can save by simply switching off your engine when you’re stuck in traffic, waiting at a level crossing, or waiting for someone to get in.
9. Remove your roof rack when you’re not using it – removing an empty roof rack or roof box on your car improves its aerodynamics and uses less fuel.
10. Remove unnecessary heavy loads from your car – removing any heavy items from your car (whether its garden chairs or golf clubs) on journeys that you don’t need them will help to reduce your car’s fuel consumption and save you money.

Tyres

Tyres need plenty of tread to clear water or snow. The legal limit is 1.6mm, but it is better to change tyres at a tread depth of 3mm – especially at this time of year. Ensure that each tyre is correctly inflated and don’t forget the spare in the boot – you never know when you may need it. Consider fitting winter tyres – they make all the difference! On colder days be particularly careful on tree lined roads – the trees prevent the sun’s warmth from reaching the road, which may still be icy when all around has thawed.

Lights

With the darker days and longer nights your car’s lights are more important than ever. Check both headlights, all sidelights and rear lights including brake lights, number plate lights as well as full beam and that all indicators work and the lenses are clean. Check your back fog light and, if you have them, both front. Carry spare bulbs and fuses just in case.

Battery

In cold weather your battery has to work extra hard to start your car and to run the heater, lights and de-misters. If your battery is more than 3 years old have it checked or replaced. Depress the clutch when starting a cold engine as this disconnects the engine from the gearbox so there is less drag and eases the load on the starter motor

Anti-freeze

Anti-freeze at the correct concentration is vital all year round as it prevents not only freezing, but also engine corrosion. In most modern cars it should be renewed every five years. Check your handbook for correct type and change intervals.

Screen Wash

Keep the screen washer bottle full of screen wash of the correct concentration so it doesn’t freeze in the washers. In extremely cold conditions, you can use screenwash concentrate without adding any water. This helps to avoid the fluid freezing in the washer nozzles and on the windscreen – particularly dangerous when you’re driving. Keep a bottle inside the car just in case your washer nozzles freeze then you can stop and clear the windscreen yourself. Don’t use washing up liquid as it produces too much foam, or engine antifreeze which can damage the paintwork.

Cleaned & Lubricated

Wash the car frequently, when there is no risk of frost and treat any stone chips as bare metal will quickly rust. Spray WD40 into the door locks to reduce the risk of them freezing. Lubricate the bonnet lock so it doesn’t corrode, and apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the rubber seals of the doors so they don’t freeze up while closed.

Fuel

Keep plenty of fuel in the tank – at least half full – as you never know when you will be stuck in traffic or have to make a detour to reach your destination. Diesel from garages will already contain anti-freeze so you don’t have to worry about frozen diesel.

De-mist

Keep the inside of all windows clean and if the inside keeps misting up, use the air conditioning on a warm setting to dry out the car. Make sure you don’t leave damp coats and wellingtons in the car.

Supplies

Take a warm coat, gloves and hat in case the weather or the car catches you out. If you’re making a long journey or if the weather looks nasty, pack high energy foods such as chocolate, crisps, nuts, cereal bars, water and a hot drink too.

Always carry a fully charged mobile, hi-visibilty jacket and torch, a pair of wellingtons and take some old bits of carpet and a shovel to clear snow, in case you get stuck.

Fog

Winter mornings are often foggy mornings – and fog can be very localised. Take care near open water as fog often hangs over water. Use dipped headlights and fog lights should be used when visibilty is seriously reduced generally less than 100m, but never put them on if it’s just raining or snowing as this can create glare. Consider opening windows and turning off any radio or music as danger can often be heard before it is seen.

Safe and happy motoring!