Tips to drive in wet weather

Wet weather driving tips

These tips will keep you and your passengers safe on wet roads.

1. ROUTINELY CHECK YOUR TYRES…

Always check your tyres before you hit the road. Make sure you do the following routine maintenance:

Keep your tyres properly inflated. The correct air pressure for your tyres is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the vehicle door edge, door-post, and glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner's manual. The number listed on the side of the tyre is not the recommended air pressure for your tyre – it is the maximum air pressure for the tyre. You should check your tyre's air pressure at least once a month.

Check the tyres tread depth. Proper tread depth will help prevent skids and aquaplaning.

2. SLOW DOWN.

As rain falls, it mixes with grime and oil on the road creating slick conditions perfect for skids. The best way to avoid skidding is to slow down. Driving at a slower pace allows more of the tire's tread to make contact with the road, which leads to better traction.

3. KNOW HOW TO RECOVER FROM A SKID.

Skids can happen even to the most cautious drivers. If your car does skid, remember not to slam on the brakes. Do not pump the brakes if you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Instead, apply firm, steady pressure to the brakes and steer the car in the direction of the skid.

4. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM THE CAR AHEAD.

Wet-weather driving demands gentle use of all the main controls – steering, clutch, brake and accelerator – and a larger allowance for errors and emergencies. When you begin a journey in rain, your shoes will be wet and can easily slip off the pedals. Scuff the soles on the rubber matting or carpeting of the car before you start the engine. All motorists should regularly check that their headlights, rear lights, brake lights and turn indicators are working properly. It takes about three times longer to break on wet roads than on dry roads. Since more distance is required to brake, it is important not to tailgate. Keep a little more than two car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you.

5. DRIVE IN THE TRACKS OF A CAR AHEAD OF YOU.

Avoid using your brakes. Whenever possible, slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator.Turn your headlights on, even in light rain. Not only do they help you see the road, but they'll help other drivers see you. If your car has daytime running lights, you should turn them on, so vehicles behind you can see you better.

6. PREPARE FOR YOUR JOURNEY.

Wet-weather driving demands gentle use of all the main controls – steering, clutch, brake and accelerator – and a larger allowance for errors and emergencies. When you begin a journey in rain, your shoes will be wet and liable to slip off the pedals. Scuff the soles on the rubber matting or carpeting of the car before you start the engine. All motorists should regularly check that their headlights, rear lights, brake lights and turn indicators are working properly.

7. LEARN HOW TO AVOID AND DEAL WITH AQUAPLANING.

Aquaplaning happens when the water in front of your tyres builds up faster than your car's weight can push it out of the way. The water pressure causes your car to rise up and slide on a thin layer of water between your tyres and the road. At this point, your car can be completely out of contact with the road, and you are in danger of skidding or drifting out of your lane, or even off the road. To avoid aquaplaning, keep your tyres properly inflated, ensure that the tread non skid is above the legal limits on your tyres and replace them when necessary, slow down when roads are wet, and stay away from puddles. Try to drive in the tyre tracks left by the cars in front of you. If you find yourself Aquaplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly. This could throw your car into a skid. Ease your foot off the accelerator until the car slows and you can feel the road again. If you need to brake, do so gently with light pumping actions. If your car has ABS, then brake normally; the car's computer will mimic a pumping action, when necessary.

8. IF THE RAIN BECOMES TOO HEAVY, STOP!

Heavy rain can overload the wiper blades, allowing an almost continuous sheet of water to flow over the screen. When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas. If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible and wait until the storm passes. Keep your headlights on and turn on your hazard warning lights to alert other drivers.

9. FIRST RAIN MAKE THE ROAD VERY SLIPPERY.

The first rain always make the roads the most difficult to drive on, as the mud and oil on the dry road combines with the water and forms a rather slippery layer. Drivers are likely to experience reduced control, and are cautioned to be extra careful for the first half-hour after it begins to rain.

10. CLOUDY WEATHER REDUCES VISIBILITY.

Use extra caution when passing other vehicles.

11. DRY YOUR BRAKES AFTER DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER.

If you have driven through standing water deep enough to get your brake shoes wet, apply the brakes lightly to dry them.

12. DON'T DRIVE WHILE FATIGUED.

Stop at least every couple of hours or every hundred miles to rest.

http://www.goodyear.eu/uk_en/tire-advice/safe-driving/driving-tips/rain-drivin

www.drive-travis.co.uk

Autumn driving advice

Don't get caught out by the seasonal change in driving conditions

 

Autumn isn't all about blackberries and crunchy leaves – it also brings many changes for road users, from dazzlingly blinding sunlight to the first icy windscreen of the season. Be prepared – plan ahead to avoid being caught out.

Autumn is particularly bad for dazzle from low sun. Improve vision by making sure that the windscreen is clean – inside and out. Even non-smokers find a hazy film builds up on the inside surface of the windscreen over time. Scratches, abrasions and chips on the outside can intensify the sun's dazzle too.

Windscreen wipers

Blades will last for two years at the most. New blades clear the screen more effectively and so help reduce dazzle from the sun. Now is a good time to renew worn blades.

Windscreen washer fluid

Top up and treat with a good quality, purpose-made additive to reduce the chance of freezing. Don't use ordinary engine anti-freeze but do check the handbook carefully to make sure you fill the right reservoir.

Battery

This is one of the most common causes of breakdown at any time of year, but particularly in the winter when electrical loads are higher. If there's any sign of the battery struggling now, the likelihood is that it'll let you down at some time during the winter, particularly if it's more than five years old. It makes sense to renew the battery now to avoid the hassle and inconvenience of an unplanned failure later.

More about batteries and winter breakdowns >>

Bulbs

Check all bulbs regularly (at least once a week) not forgetting brake lights and number plate lights. The handbook will show you how to change bulbs, though some headlight bulbs may require a visit to the garage. Carry some spare bulbs.

Tyres

Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth. We recommend at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring, so if the treads are getting low think about buying new tyres now before the colder weather sets in.

More about tyres >>

Antifreeze

Not just for winter, antifreeze is important all year round as it contains additives to prevent corrosion and improve summer cooling too. It should be checked as part of the regular service schedule.

A frozen engine is very expensive to repair so if there's any doubt now is a good time to check the concentration. The handbook will give details of the correct antifreeze to use for your car — there are different types and mixing them could cause engine damage. If in doubt get a garage to check for you — many offer cheap or even free winter checks at this time of year.

More about antifreeze >>

Driving at sunset

How to reduce the risk and possible consequence of being dazzled

• Keep your windscreen clean inside and out
• Renew wiper blades if worn
• Keep a pair of sunglasses in the car, but make use of the sun visor too
• Slow down immediately if dazzled
• Bear in mind: 
  • if the sun is behind you, it's in the eyes of those approaching you
  • if the sun is in your eyes it's probably affecting those following you too
• Use headlights to help others see you

Black box in cars

Telematics car insurance - also known as black box insurance, GPS car insurance, smartbox insurance, pay-as-you-drive insurance and usage-based insurance - works either through a small black box device that's fitted to your car or a mobile phone app which can collect the following type of information:

• The speed you drive
• Braking and accelerating habits
• Distance travelled
• Time of day you travel
• Types of roads you travel on

http://www.drive-travis.co.uk/black-box-in-cars

Your premium will be calculated depending on the data gathered, with drivers who meet or exceed the agreed criteria benefiting and those who don't suffering.

Furthermore, if you have a black box it can act as a tracking device, so if your vehicle is lost or stolen, you (or the police) can find it sooner.

Some policies will give you access to an online dashboard where you can review your driving and learn to improve it.

Telematics has traditionally been seen as an attractive option for safe, young drivers looking for affordable premiums, but it has the potential to offer benefits to good drivers of any age - you can read more about telematics for experienced and older drivers .........

Show me tell me questions video for the driving test

Under the bonnet of the Honda Jazz, preparing for the driving test.

www.drive-travis.co.uk

Getting your car ready for winter

Preparing your vehicle

You passed the driving test in summer and this is your first winter as a driving.

A pre-winter check or service is essential if you want to avoid problems during the winter. I have listed some of the items you should pay attention to:

Cooling System:

Most cooling systems specify that anti-freeze should be used all year round as a corrosion inhibitor, however it is a good idea to check the strength of the coolant at the start of the winter. How are your hoses? If your car is more than a couple of years old check for perished hoses and minor leaks.

Ignition system:

Electronic ignition is now fitted to many vehicles, however, damp can still cause problems. Make sure that all ignition circuit contacts are clean and spray the system with an ignition sealer (moisture repellent).

Check that your battery is topped up and healthy ... Be kind to your battery in winter by minimising the load placed on it ...

Don't over use the starter motor, short bursts with long pauses between ... Switch off all auxiliary equipment when starting the car ... Switch of the screen de-misters when the windows are clear ... And so on ...

Air intake:

Check to see if your air intake has a winter position, if so, make the appropriate adjustment.

Tyres:

Trying to squeeze the last five-hundred miles out of a set of tyres can be counter-productive in winter. You want as much grip as possible when the snow comes (at least 3mm of tread). Plus, of course, changing a tyre in the snow is no fun!

Lights:

You should carry a spare set of light bulbs all year round (police patrol officers love to stop vehicles with defective lights!), however, this is probably more important in winter when your lights are getting extra use. Make sure that you have wash leathers and/or rags to keep your lights clean in the winter (snow can build up around lights, check to ensure that they are clear and clean as often as possible).

Brakes:

It may seem obvious to state that brakes should be in good order, however, your wheels will lock earlier on ice than in other situations and so even the slightest problems (with wheel cylinders, etc.) can cause major skids in winter.

Windscreen washers:

These are less likely to freeze up if the system is clean. Keep a supply of screen-wash additive in the car, this prevents the washer-bottle contents from freezing. Don't use engine anti-freeze in screen washers, apart from smearing your screen it may well strip your paintwork!

Wiper blades:

These will have to work harder in winter so make sure that they are in good condition (well used wiper blades rarely last more than 12 months in our climate).

Visit my website  www.drive-travis.co.uk

James@Travis School of Motoring

Safe Driving For Life

Bletchley driving test centre in Milton Keynes.

As you can see there is plenty of space to do a bay park, so do expect one on your driving test.

If you are thinking about taking your test in Milton keynes and can not find a very good driving instructor then look no further.  I have a great first time pass rate.
Check out my website www.drive-travis.co.uk

Which manoeuvre will I get on the driving test?

That's a good question.  The answer is you will not know until the examiner asks you to complete one. I have listed below my last ten pupil driving tests and the manoeuvres that they was asked.
This is a list of my last ten driving test manoeuvres 
1 Bay park
2 Reverse park
3 Reverse park
4 Left reverse
5 Left reverse
6 Bay park
7 Turn in the road
8 Bay park
9 Reverse park
10 Left reverse

As you can see it could be any of the four that your driving instructor should be teaching you.
www.drive-travis.co.uk

Motorway driving

How to drive on Motorways
Firstly ask your instructor to take you on the motorway. After all they know what your driving is like and you understand the way that they coached you to drive. www.drive-travis.co.uk

If asking your driving instructor is not possible then below are a few pointers to help. 

Read the rules of the Motorway. 

Many new drivers worry about their first time alone on a motorway. 

Motorways are safer, than normal roads, but they are also faster. Sometimes things do happen quicker, and you have to concentrate all the time.

When you are on the main carriageway of the motorway, remain in the first lane until you get used to the speed. If you need to overtake you must return to the first lane as soon as possible but only if its safe to do so! Many motorists try to stay in the overtaking lanes for normal driving. This is bad practice and causes inconvenience and tailbacks and annoys other users.

There are two types of motorway, rural and urban. You need to think of them as quiet and busy. Quiet motorways are boring, so you need to concentrate on the road and traffic conditions way ahead. Busy motorways need your attention all around you rather than just focused ahead.

Motorways are like dual carriageways only safer. They are safer because every motorway user is travelling in the same direction and at similar speeds. Another reason why motorways are safer is due to the fact that traffic is restricted to those who can make best use of it i.e. no pedestrians, cyclists, moped, no L drivers (except HGV), agricultural vehicles, and animals. Motorways are also safer because there are no sharp bends, no oncoming traffic, no right turn, and no roundabouts. The lanes are always wide, and well marked, and are usually straight for long distances. 

How to pass the driving test.

Pass the driving test first time

Top tips for passing your Driving Test - At the First Attempt.

To pass your driving test you need to drive without making any serious or dangerous faults and no more than 15 minor faults during a drive of about 40 minutes. You must also complete several manoeuvres.

Do Your Homework www.drive-travis.co.uk

1. Pin up a map of your test centre area and mark out the test routes. Mark difficult areas on it such as one-way streets, difficult junctions, double mini roundabouts, so that you are ready for them on approach, rather than having to deal with them as if they have come out of nowhere. Make sure you get plenty of practice over the test routes with a professional driving school such as Travis School of Motoring.

2. Practise manoeuvres until you can carry them out without any minor faults. That will leave you with a margin of 15 faults for the rest of the drive on the day of your test.

3. Practise, practise, and practise until you can drive without verbal or physical intervention from me (your instructor) for the duration of a full driving lesson or a mock driving test. Don't forget: it's not practice that makes perfect: it's practice – with a professional driving instructor – that makes perfect.

Test Day

i) Warm up: Arrange to have an hour's driving lesson around the area of the test centre on the day of your test. This will help you to warm up and get into the swing of things. You will also be aware of any new roadworks, obstructions etc and will feel more able to deal with them more easily. Forewarned is foreamed.

ii) Nerves: If you start feeling shaky bag of nerves, breathe in, hold your breath, count up to 20 and out breathe out. Repeat this exercise until you gain control of your nerves. Once the test starts, you'll settle into your driving and your attention will be on the road rather than on your own feelings, and your nervousness should disappear.

iii) Think confident: Talk yourself – silently! – through the test. Talk about hazards coming up and how you are going to deal with them. This really focuses your mind on how you should be driving in order to pass the test.

iv) Don't be afraid to ask: If you don't understand what the examiner has asked you to do, don't be afraid to ask him or her to repeat the instruction.

v) Think positive: Before you start a manoeuvre, repeat to yourself three times – silently – "this is a piece of cake". Think positively at all times. You can do it!

vi) Making a mistake: If you feel you're messing up a manoeuvre, just pull forwards and do it again correctly. As long as you haven't done anything wrong, such as touching the kerb or failing to make effective observations, you can still pass.

vii) Stalling: if, unfortunately, you stall, deal with it and move on. As long as you don't stall in a dangerous situation, such as on a roundabout and as long as you handle it properly, this needn't count as a major fault and you can still pass your test.

viii) Have I already failed? If you feel you've made a mistake, don't instantly assume you've failed – it may only have been a minor fault. Put it behind you and carry on driving as well as you can.

ix) Keep your eyes on the road: Resist the temptation to look at the examiner and what he or she is writing. You will not be able to deduce anything anyway. Keep your attention on your driving and the road ahead!

Good Luck.

1st October 2015. No smoking in cars

Smoking in vehicles: new rules from 1 October 2015

From 1 October 2015 it will be illegal to smoke in a vehicle with anyone under 18 present.

The new law will apply in England and Wales.  Both the driver and the smoker could be fined £50. The law applies to every driver, including those aged 17 and those with a provisional driving licence.  The law does not apply if the driver is 17 years old and is on their own in the car.  The law is changing to protect children and young people from the dangers of secondhand smoke.  Find out more at www.gov.uk/smokefreecars.

Travis School of Motoring, Driving Lessons, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Travis School of Motoring, Driving Lessons, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom