Hints & Tips

· While your foot is on the brake, in most instances, you should have both hands on the steering wheel.

· Whichever way you turn, always start with a 'pull' from the top rather than a 'push' from the bottom. "If you have been tending to push first, try 'pulling' first and you will notice a dramatic improvement in the smoothness and control of your steering".

· The appropriate speed and gear should be applied when negotiating any hazard.

· Two essential rules for safer motorway driving - maintain a safe following distance, and exercise good lane discipline. Use the two second rule!

· If there's ever a doubt about whether you should overtake, don't.

· "Brakes to slow, gears to go!" When there is following traffic try to use your Brakes to slow, using your Brake Lights as a warning signal to following traffic (especially tailgaters!) that you are slowing - and allow enough time to slow smoothly.

· "Keep both hands full of steering wheel, until you know what you're going to do with them!".

· When signaling, consider who you are signaling to.

· A basic driving rule is - "be able to stop, on your own side of the road, in the distance that you can see to be clear!". And on a single track road - "be able to stop in half the distance that you can see to be clear!"

· "Only a fool breaks the two second rule!" This is the rule for a safe following distance - (in DRY weather!) To test this, start saying the phrase as the car in front passes an object (e.g. a road bridge) and if you pass the same object before you finish the phrase, - you're too close! Should be at least DOUBLE this in the wet!

· "Should I apply the handbrake?" If you have time to think this, you should do it.

· You can improve your levels of concentration, observation and anticipation by saying out loud what you can see, what you are going to do about it and why.