Breaking down on public highways can be very frightening, vehicles passing you at speeds, at night when visibility is reduced and in cold weather, can all lead to you becoming venerable and at risk.
How to limit the risk
Using a simple word like POWER can help you stay safe and remind you of the areas to check on your car before starting that journey
P stands for Petrol or Diesel
O stands for Oil, engine oil, brake fluid and power steering fluid on older vehicles
W stands for water, check your expansion chamber for water and also your screen wash
E stands for electrics, lights, demisters, windscreen wipers, windows, radio, horn and check that warning lights come on when you start your vehicle and go off once the system has checked for issues. Engine compartment to check connections are secure.
R stands for Rubber, Tyres, windscreen wiper blades, Hoses in the engine compartment for leeks.
These checks will not take long but could avoid you being stuck on a major road and vulnerable. After your driving course and passing a driving test you still need to stay safe, which is the main reason we have a training system for people who want to drive. STAY SAFE!
Your tyres are the only part of the car that connects you to the road surface, it is very important that you check the condition of your tyres.
Tyre pressures should be checked when the tyre is cold.
Valve caps need to be replaced after checking the tyre pressures
All tyres should be checked, including the spare.
The side walls of your tyre should be inspected for any cuts, bulges and splitting. Splitting is commonly seen on old tyres or tyres left for long periods without being used.
The legal minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. This means any tyre with less than this tread depth is considered illegal, and could result in a fine and penalty points on your driving licence. Experts recommend replacing tyres when they reach around 3mm of tread for optimal safety and performance.
UK tyre information.
Legal tread depth: 1.6mm
Check tread regularly: Use a tread depth gauge or a tread wear notification mark.
Tyre pressure: Always maintain the correct tyre pressure as specified in your vehicle’s manual.
Tyre size: Find the correct tyre size for your car by checking the vehicle’s manual.
Important factors to consider when choosing tyres:
Driving conditions: Choose tyres suitable for the type of roads you regularly drive on (e.g., wet weather, winter driving)
Fuel efficiency: Look for tyres with good fuel economy ratings
Noise level: Some tyres are designed to produce less road noise
Brand reputation: Opt for tyres from reputable manufacturers
Information on the side wall of the tyre
On the side wall of the tyre you will see information similar to this, 185/45 R16 92W.
185 This refers to the width of your tyre in millimetres.
45 this refers to the hight of the side wall as a percentage of the width in millimetres.
185/100 x 45= 83.25
R stands for Radial, and most tyres today are made this way. It is important that the same type of tyre is used on each side of the car, a C (Cross ply tyre) should not be used on the same axle as a radial tyre.
16 is the diameter of the wheel in inches
92 This is the load rating and tells you how much the tyre can safely carry when inflated correctly. The weight of your car should not exceed the weight your tyres can safely carry when inflated correctly. If your car exceeds the safe weight for your tyres, this will damage the tyres, and possibly cause your tyres to blowout or get damaged and need replacing sooner.
W Speed rating
Tyre speed ratings in the UK range from L to Y, with L being the lowest and Y being the highest. The speed rating indicates the maximum speed at which a tyre can safely carry its recommended load.
Tyre speed rating examples
L: 75 mph
M: 81 mph
N: 87 mph
P: 93 mph
Q: 99 mph
R: 106 mph
S: 112 mph
T: 118 mph
U: 124 mph
H: 130 mph
V: 149 mph
W: 168 mph
Y: 186 mph
Tyre manufacturers provide lots of information about their tyres and how to safely use them. Tyre fitting centres have trained staff that will be happy to help you make an informed decision. Remember your tyres are the only connection between your car and the road service, so its worth getting a quality tyre for your car.
A lot of people have made comments about intensive driving courses, some good some not so good.
Intensive driving courses have been operating in the UK armed forces since the early 1980s, mainly due to the availability of students to do daily training. This has helped with service personnel being ready quicker to take on their duties within the armed forces. So its not a recent driver training system. In civilian street this was not the way driving courses were given, due to the fact that the student would be working Monday to Friday. The cost also had an impact to the way training was given. So availability and cost up front for the course made intensive driving courses not very popular.
So why the change
Driving courses spread over one or two weeks are more popular now than they ever were in the past, with more driving schools offering week long courses.
Driving is now essential, a must have ability when looking at employment opportunities. The time where you worked, and then retired in the same job 40 years later, has all but gone. Flexibility, working hours (Shift Patterns), and location of work places, have meant mobility is essential. The seventeen year olds now entering the job market are now boosting their chances of employment by being able to travel to out of town locations, work shift patterns, and be more attractive to larger companies.
Do week long intensive courses work
Intensive driving courses in manual and automatic cars
Yes they do!. However like weekly lessons it is in important to shop around and find a driving school with a good track record of providing these types of courses. The driving instructor you have chosen is trained on providing intensive driving courses, or has experience in provide an intensive driving course . Remember this was not the way some driving instructors were shown how to teach students. With that in mind, pass rates will be similar to weekly lessons. There is a caveat, however with these driving courses. They are what they say, Intensive! both for the student and the instructor. The intensity of the training can sometimes be too much, regular breaks will be needed. We would suggest booking no more than six hours in a day, and have regular stops every couple of hours. Well organised, intensive driver training programs do work, with pass rates similar to other training programs.
After a driving course and help from family and friends, its now time to go solo. This can be a daunting process, your first time out on your own. Lets talk about ways you can make this less stressful.
Time to drive
For your first solo drive the time is important. Try and go when rush hour is over or at a time when the roads are quiet, this could be during the weekend. Think about when it starts getting dark, or if there are any issues with weather or road conditions.
Where to go
I am sure after you pass your driving test, there will be places and people you would like to go and see. For your first solo drive consider the length of the journey, the time it will take to get there and back. Will this make you hit rush hour traffic or end up driving in the dark. What roads will you be going on and have you the confidence to drive on them. You could always ask a friend or family member who can drive to go with you first.
Preparation
Preparation is the key to a successful journey. Check your vehicle before setting off, make sure you have enough fuel and that your car is in good working order, (remember the show, tell me questions). Make sure your phone is fully charged and that you carry with you a drink and warm clothing. Emergency breakdown kits are a must to help keep you safe , and can be purchased on amazon for not a lot of money. Tell someone where you are going and what time you are aiming to get there, and when you will be leaving to come back.
Dual carriageway driving courses
Further training can be given on Motorways and driving at night or consider taking the pass plus
We work a lot with our students and are always there for them. . Just because you have passed your driving test, doesn’t mean your driving school cannot help you further. There will be information to help you online or contact your driving school. When it comes to our students first solo drive, we are happy to meet our students at a location and answer any questions they might have, or just give them support.
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