Winter Driving Advice From The RAC

The last few winters in the UK haven’t exactly been conducive to safe, easy driving. Between, the snow, freezing temperatures, wind and driving rain, motorists in the UK have a lot to deal with through the dark months of the year.

But with the correct preparation and some considered planning and forethought there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to safely stay on the road this winter.

The 10 point check

1.     Check your car battery strength and charge it if necessary. If your battery is more than 3 years old it’s even more important to do this.
2.     Make sure you have plenty of tyre tread. Also check for damage such as splits or bulges and make sure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure.
3.     Check your screen wash and use one with protection that works down to -35c at dilution one part screen wash to one part water.
4.     Make sure your coolant is between the minimum and maximum markers and that there is sufficient anti-freeze in the coolant.
5.     Test your windscreen wipers for damage and replace them if needed.
6.     Carry extra items in the car just in case you get stuck. It’s a good idea to carry the following items:

·         A Shovel to help clear ice

·         Bottled water

·         Snacks – chocolate or cereal bars

·         Bits of carpet or thick cardboard to place under driven wheels to help regain traction on ice or snow

·         Salt, sand or cat litter – to help clear snow and ice

·         Reflective jacket(s)

·         De-icer and ice scraper

·         Extra screen wash

·         Warm clothes and a blanket or sleeping bag for you and your passengers

·         Battery jump leads

·         Torch with spare batteries

·         Tow rope

·         Snow chains (if you live in a remote or rural area)

7.     Plan your journey, and if the weather is really bad consider whether the journey is really necessary. Even if you’re not embarking on a particularly long journey, tell someone where you are going – it could even be the people you are going to see – what time you’re leaving and when you expect to arrive.
8.     Take extra care when driving in snow and ice and follow our tips:

·         Accelerate slowly using low revs. You might need to move off in second gear to help decrease wheel slip

·         Leave as much as 10 times the normal recommended gap between you and the car in front

·         If you skid, steer into it.  e.g. if the rear of the vehicle is sliding to the left, steer to the left. Don’t take your hands off the steering wheel or stamp on the brakes

·         If the road hasn’t been gritted, be careful when driving in the wheel tracks of other cars as compressed snow can be icy

·         Operate the brakes, steering, brakes and accelerating smoothly and slowly

9.     Make sure you have full visibility before you set off on a journey. If you can’t fully see where you’re going, you’re not safe. That means ensuring all your windows and lights are clear from frost and in working order.
10.  Take care when driving in heavy rain and flooded roads:

a.     Look out for large or fast-moving vehicles creating spray, which reduces visibility.

b.    Reduce speed and leave more space between you & the vehicle in front to account for greater stopping distances.

c.     Don't use rear fog lights. They can mask your brake lights & dazzle drivers behind you.

d.    If you do go through water, drive in the highest section of the road.

A great list of driving tips to put into practice this winter! If you need further help with winter driving (or any aspect of driving) then why not contact our driving school to see how we can help?

Choosing the right driving instructor

Choosing a driving instructor isn't the easiest thing to do - often you can be overwhelmed by the amount of driving schools out there when you're ready to learn to drive. Let's look at top 5 things to consider:

1. Recommendations - If you have a friend(s) that has learnt to drive why not ask them who their instructor was and if they were happy with the service? It's one of the most trusted ways of choosing a driving instructor.
2. Instructor Grade - It's a little known fact that there is a grading system for driving instructors that reflects their ability as an instructor. Usually carried out around every 2 years, an instructor is 'check tested' by a DSA examiner. This is where the examiner sits in the back of the car to observe a lesson conducted by the instructor. When the lesson is over the examiner grades the instructor on their ability, the grades range from lowest (grade 1) to highest (grade6). Only around 6% of instructors achieve a Grade 6 and it's the highest grade possible, around 20% achieve a Grade 5, and the industry standard is Grade 4 with around 70% achieving this particular grade. The lower grades are not acceptable and would result in further tests and/or disqualification from the instructor register. So make sure you ask about your instructor's grade!
3. Pass Rate - Not as important as you'd think and sometimes extremely misleading. For a start, there's nothing to stop an instructor from simply picking a pass rate out of thin air - how would you know? Also an instructor can claim to have a 100% pass rate but this might mean that 100% of their pupils eventually pass but only 20% first time! Lastly, at the end of the day the driving test of a pupil is ultimately out of the hands of the instructor - I've had pupils who I know have been taught well and are good drivers who simply through nerves and pressure of the test fail to perform as they can on the day. This results in a drop on my pass rate but it doesn't necessarily reflect on how well they've been taught.
4. The Car - Does the instructor have a relatively new, modern car? Some instructors lease cars so as to get a replacement as often as every 12 months in some cases. It's not ideal to be learning in a car that's several years old and on it's last legs - so make sure you ask before deciding.
5. Trainee Instructors - Also unknown to most of the public, a part qualified instructor is legally allowed to give paid instruction for a maximum of 6 months. Not all driving schools will be forthcoming with this information though. You can check to make sure your instructor is qualified by looking at their instructor badge colour displayed on the windscreen, green is fully qualified, pink a trainee.

Choosing the right driving instructor is important so make sure you consider these factors before you decide.

If you require a driving school in Tunbridge Wells or Sevenoaks that has only fully qualified instructors with a minimum of 5 years experience including a Grade 6 instructor, click the link.

Save on the cost of running your car – a simple guide

With the cost of motoring currently standing at over £3000 each year, motorists are looking at every option available to reduce expenses. It’s easy to make savings if you do the right research. Here are some common areas where car drivers are likely to feel the pinch and what can be done to keep costs down.

Fuel
According to Sainsbury’s Bank, the average car owner now spends almost £1800 on fuel each year. You could save on fuel bills by:

• Finding the best fuel prices in your area, by going online or using smartphone applications.
• Driving slowly and smoothly. According to the AA, driving at 70mph uses 15% more fuel than driving at 50 mph.
• Regularly servicing and maintaining your car at a reputable garage.

Car insurance
Sainsbury’s Bank also found that car insurance premiums cost motorists almost £815 on average annually, and are one of the main factors for the overall rise in motoring costs. To find the best insurance that suits your needs:

• Shop around. You could save on your car insurance by phoning around or going online. Always remember to compare like-for-like policies.
• Read the fine print and find out if your policy charges you extra depending on your personal circumstances (e.g. age or driving experience) and type of car.
• Park your car in a garage or on your drive, instead of in the street – this could reduce the cost of your premium.

Car tax
The car tax rates which came into effect on 1 April 2011 are aimed at reducing emissions, so it makes more sense than ever to drive a more fuel-efficient car. If your car falls in a high-polluting band, it will be taxed higher than a more fuel-efficient model.

Car owners with new, high-emission cars may have to pay an additional, one-off ‘showroom tax’ based on their car’s CO₂ emissions. Consumer campaign group Which? says a big family car could cost you up to £540 more than the standard rate for the first year of motoring. Consider sticking to a more eco-friendly model.

Servicing
Keeping your car well serviced could save you money in the long run. Don’t be tempted to ignore faults, as these could turn into major expenses. The AA advises car drivers not to compromise on important things such as timing belts and oil changes.

Instead, the organisation suggests drivers get a better deal by using reputable garages. Make sure you get a quote before agreeing to any repairs.

MOTs
Ensuring that your car is roadworthy is a legal requirement and, although the MOT itself may not cost a lot, it’s often the repairs that follow a failed MOT that push up costs.

It might be worth considering doing your next MOT at a local council run MOT centre instead of a private garage. These centres don’t handle repairs and therefore have nothing to gain from failing your car – so you might be less inclined to question their objectivity.

Tyres
Maintaining good tyres can help keep your car running costs down. The AA recommends driving smoothly, slowly and braking less often, to help preserve tyre condition. Tyre pressure should be checked every 2 weeks, and tyres with a tread depth of less than 2mm should be replaced. It’s especially worth checking tyre condition before autumn and winter.

Breakdown cover
Having the right breakdown cover for your car can put your mind at ease on the road. It’s important to consider the kind of cover you need, before deciding on a provider. If your car is prone to frequent breakdowns, you might need more thorough cover, but if it’s brand new you might only need basic roadside recovery.


Click the links for driving lessons in Tunbridge Wells and  an automatic driving school in Tunbridge Wells