The highway code has rules for every driver and pedestrian, but only some pedestrians will read the Highway code book! So, it is down to the driver to make sure they are fully aware of the regulations about pedestrians who also use the streets and roads in your surrounding area.

General Rules

1 Footpaths and Pavements – where available, these should always be used and try to stay away from the kerb. Should you have to step into the road, be aware and look in both directions before doing so.

2 No Pavement – If there is no available pavement on either side of the road, you should stay on the right-hand side so you can see oncoming traffic. Care should be taken and walk in single file if on a narrow road or in poor light conditions and keep close to the side of the road. It may be safer to cross the road if there is a sharp bend so you can see oncoming traffic and then cross back for safety.

3 See and be seen – try to wear light or fluorescent clothing, especially in poor light conditions, light reflective armbands, jackets, footwear or sashes can help in the dark as well as reflective dog leads and harnesses.

4 Young children– children should not be out alone on the road or pavements, they should be kept to the side of the adult, not the road, and their hands should be held firmly. If in a pram or pushchair, they should be securely fastened and never pushed onto the road unless absolutely necessary, unless safe to do so and never between parked cars.

5 Walks or parades – organised walks or parades involving large groups should always use a pavement where available, if not, walkers should keep to the left.  There should be formal look-outs positioned front and rear of the group wearing reflective clothing, and at night, the front look-out should carry a white light, and the rear look-out should carry a red light. Walkers outside the group should also carry lights and wear reflective clothing.

6 Motorways– Pedestrians should never be on a motorway or any slip roads unless they are in an emergency and are awaiting recovery or emergency services, they should remain behind the crash barrier at all times.

7 The Green Cross Code – Most children are taught the Green Cross Code from a very young age at school or by parents, but they must understand the dangers of traffic and roads. They should not be allowed to play outside without understanding these rules, and it is vital to know that children also learn by example, so you should always make sure that you are crossing the road with optimum safety, especially when you are with your children, if they see you taking risks, they may do the same.

A – Find a safe place to cross
B – Stop before you get to the kerb
C- Look and listen for traffic
D – Let any traffic pass before attempting to cross
E – When safe to cross, do so straight and without running

8 At a Junction – if you are waiting at a junction to cross, other traffic should give way, and you should look out for traffic turning into the road and coming from behind you.  Find a safe place to cross where you can be seen, if you have already started to cross the road then you have priority before the traffic.

9 Pedestrian Safety Barriers – if there are safety barriers in place you should only cross at the gaps provided, do not climb or walk between them.

10 Tactile Paving – raised surfaces usually found near crossing points or at the top and bottom of steps; they are used to warn partially sighted or blind pedestrians. These are raised studs that can be felt underfoot.

11 One-way streets – Always check the direction in which the traffic flows before crossing safely and double-check that public transport and cycle lanes may often be using the other direction.

12 Bus and Cycle lanes – extra care should be taken when crossing these lanes as traffic may be faster and may be against the regular flow of traffic.

13 Routes shared with Cyclists – Cycle tracks may run alongside many roads, and often there is a pavement as well, but when there is not a specific pavement, cyclists should respect the pedestrian, and the pedestrian should make way for a cyclist with a warning given and not endanger or obstruct them. Some routes such as these will also allow horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles, but they should respect the pedestrian and pedestrian should not obstruct or endanger the rider.

14 Street Parking – if you have to cross a road between parked cars, then use the edge of the parked car as your kerb and stop to make sure the traffic can see you and you can see a safe gap to cross.  Make sure there is a gap on the other side of the road for you to cross, and never cross in front of a parked car with its engine running, especially a large lorry, as the driver may not see you.

15 Reversing Vehicles – Never attempt to cross a road near a reversing vehicle showing white reverse lights or sounding a reversing siren.

16 Moving vehicles– You must never hold onto or get into a moving car.

17  At Night– Always wear light-coloured clothes or reflective clothing so you can be seen when crossing a road at night.

18 At all crossings– you must always ensure the road is clear before you attempt to cross and always cross between the studs or markings on a Zebra crossing, not the Zig Zag lines, as this can be dangerous.

19 Zebra Crossings – You must always give the traffic plenty of time to see you, and you must stop before crossing, pedestrians have the right of way while on the crossing but must not attempt to cross until traffic has stopped in both directions, and you must keep looking both ways while crossing.

20 Zebra crossing islands – Where there is an Island in the middle of the road, the second section should be treated as a septate crossing, and you should wait until all traffic has stopped before attempting to cross.

21 Traffic lights – There may be signals for pedestrians at traffic lights, but if not, then you must wait for the lights to be on red and for traffic to be at a stop. Do not attempt to cross on an amber light. If the lights flash amber while crossing, you should have enough time to get to the other side of the road before they go green.

22 Pelican crossings – these are signal-controlled crossings, you should not attempt to cross until your light is green, if it turns red while you are crossing, you have right of way and enough time to cross to the other side of the road.

23 Puffin Crossings – these are different from pelican crossings as the green and red figures are just above the control box, and there is no flashing green light, you may only cross when the green light shows.

24 Congested traffic – traffic may be at a standstill even while traffic lights are on green, in such cases, you still should not attempt to cross on a puffin or pelican crossing unless your crossing light is green.

25 Toucan Crossings – These are crossings that allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross together. They are button-controlled, and cyclists are permitted to ride across the road when crossing.

26 Sound or tactile crossings – some crossings have sound signals or tactile pavements for partially or blind pedestrians.

27 Equestrian crossings – These are for horse riders, they have wider crossing spaces and pavement barriers and two sets of controls, one higher up for the horse rider to reach.

28 Staggered pelican or puffin crossings – where crossings are staggered across a wider road, each crossing should be considered separate, and you must wait for the flow of traffic to stop before attempting to cross at each side of the road.

29 Person-controlled crossing – crossings such as school lollypop crossings or patrol officers are to be used when told to do so only.

30 No crossing points – on roads with no dedicated crossing points, you should try to find an area with a central island, then cross into the centre when it is safe to do so, and then cross to the other side when it is safe to do so again.

31 Emergency vehicles – if emergency vehicles are approaching with flashing blue lights, you must keep off the road until it is safe to cross, and they have passed you.

32 Buses– you must only get on or off a bus when it is completely stopped, you must never cross a road in front or behind a bus, so you must wait for to to drive away so you have clear visibility in both directions.

33 Tramways– Trams often run through pedestrian areas and are marked by shallow kerbs, you must cross at the designated areas and always be aware of trams much the same as all traffic by looking both ways before attempting to cross a tramway.

34 Railway level crossings – You must never cross a stop sign or barrier at a rail level crossing if the red light is flashing, the siren is sounding, or the barriers are lowering.  If no lights, alarms or barriers are in place, you must ensure you look in both directions before attempting to cross.

35 Street repairs – Where work is being carried out on the street, and pavements may be obstructed, it is wise to try and cross to the other side of the road, but if not possible, then look in both directions before stepping out onto the road, before moving past the obstruction.

Any parent of a teen beginning their driving career will have the stomach-wrenching feeling of dread every time they venture out on their own once passing the driving test. Statistics show that young drivers do cause the most harm to the roads. Still, some steps can be taken to help avoid many of these needless accidents, from further advanced and defensive training to looking at Black Box insurance policies that help to keep some of the most reckless activities to a minimum, such as speeding and harsh acceleration.

It is never too early to start advanced and defensive driver training. No matter how great the driving school or instructor may have been who helped your teen pass the driving test, they only helped them pass a test! They were not taught the overall skills of perfect driving, which come with lots of practice and further driver training.

Learner drivers are not taught to the same degree as advanced drivers, and the UK ranks 16th for how hard a driving test is to pass compared to the rest of the world, which may be surprising. Many countries such as Germany, Denmark and Finland are very stringent with driving tests, and even first aid theory and skid pan training can be compulsory when learning to drive. When considering this, it is no wonder that the UK is below par with younger driver safety, so it is up to us to keep ourselves and our families as safe as possible on the roads.

Since 2018, learner drivers have been allowed on motorways, but it has yet to become compulsory for driving tests, the main reason being that it is too stressful to do during a test and not all areas have a nearby motorway. Common sense would argue that this should be practised until it is not stressful and become part of driving lessons and tests, especially with the new regulations of Smart Motorways, because discussing just theory is not good enough as even the most experienced drivers can be confused with new Smart motorway regulations.

Discussing further advanced and defensive training with your newly qualified teen may be difficult, especially if it has not been discussed before they passed the driving test, as the argument will be, “But I passed my driving test, so I’m fine to drive”, but this will not stop the fear of most parents.

Here is an account from a previous customer:

“As a parent who has been through this myself, my own experience was that my son was perfectly safe when I went out with him when he first passed his test, but within a few months, he was very overconfident, and I felt unsafe with him as a passenger. He was motoring up to red traffic lights, accelerating very harshly, and his Black Box was pinging all the time. I was expecting an accident at any moment due to his lack of consequence, so I put him on an advanced driving course. Initially, he was against it, using the excuses of “I’ve not had an accident” and “I’ve passed my test”. I needed him to understand that this was not a punishment but an added skill, which an advanced driving course is, and it can be something that can be added to a CV. I explained that it was to further his skills and was very different to taking driving lessons. If he enjoyed the higher level of driving skills, he could go on to take an advanced motorist test in the future, which may help to bring insurance premiums down. During the course, he learned many things he was not taught while taking driving lessons, and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Now, I never feel the dread of the past, and whenever he is off with his friends, it is mostly him who drives, and I feel happier with that, so as a parent, I could not recommend them enough.”

Initiating a discussion about further training with your teen before they pass the driving test can make it easier for them to accept an Advanced course. This approach can significantly enhance their driving skills, as they still have a better memory of the Highway code than a driver taking a course years after passing the test. An advanced driver tutor, with skills comparable to those used by the police and paramedics, will be far more skilled than a regular driving instructor.

We are never going to make the roads and motorways safe for everyone but we can equip our teens with the best possible chance to help avoid any issues they may come across with a better understanding of forward planning and observations, speed awareness, and car control. All this comes with practice but can be greatly helped along with further training from the start.

Read more about our younger advanced driver training here.

Tips for driving in France

Thousands of drivers venture to France and Europe each year from the UK, but there are certain things that you need to be aware of before you book your ferry trip.

Breakdown cover

Getting European breakdown cover is essential, so it is wise to check the cover you already have to see if it covers you for your destination. If not, you can get single-trip cover, but upgrading to annual cover may make more financial sense if you intend to travel abroad with your vehicle often.

Emergency SOS telephones are located every 2km along the motorways in France. You can dial 112 to connect to the emergency services, and the operator can connect you with a speaker of your own language. Check with your breakdown provider and policy about the details you will need to provide.

Car insurance

You should always check your insurance policy to ensure that there are no hidden clauses about travelling abroad with your vehicle. Some policies may ask to be made aware, some not, but the last thing you need is to have a policy voided because you need to make the insurance company aware. As long as you are an insured third party, you are legally allowed to drive in France, but of course, fully comprehensive is always the best decision as that may include courtesy cars or onward travel options that could be very valuable, especially if you are a long way from home.

Travel Insurance

With any holiday outside of the UK, travel insurance is a must; this will help with not only last-minute problems occurring with your holiday arrangements happening from your end, such as illness but also ferry and hotel cancellations happening out of your control. You can perhaps claim some costs back.  It will also help with any medical expenses should you be taken ill while away.

Driving licence laws

Drivers must be 18 and hold a full, valid driving licence. Moped or motorbike riders up to 125cc must be 16 or over. Licenses issued in the UK, EU, or EEA are permitted, and international driving permits are accepted but not required.

Documents you need to carry with you

It is essential to always carry the documents below with you to save any issues.

• Full valid driving licence
• Proof of ID, passport
• Motor insurance
• V5 Registration document (log book)

Essential items that you will need to have in the car with you

You must now carry the following items in your vehicle while driving in France.

• Reflective jackets
• Warning triangle
• Headlamp beam deflectors
• Snow chains when driving through ‘snow zones’

From 2021 it is law to have the county of destination sticker attached to your vehicle, now changed from GB to UK.

Crit’Air sticker categories (Clean Air Stickers)

If you intend to drive through certain regions, you must ensure that you have a Clean Air Sticker—a ‘Crit’Air sticker’—which will cost less than £4 and can save you a fine of up to £120 if you do not have one.

• Crit’Air 0/E – zero-emission electric and hydrogen vehicles – green sticker
• Crit’Air 1 – plug-in hybrid vehicles and Euro 5, 6 petrol vehicles – purple sticker
• Crit’Air 2 – Euro 4 petrol vehicles, and Euro 5, 6 diesel vehicles – yellow sticker
• Crit’Air 3 – Euro 2, 3 petrol vehicles and Euro 4 diesel vehicles – orange sticker
• Crit’Air 4 – Euro 3 diesel vehicles – burgundy sticker
• Crit’Air 5 – Euro 2 diesel vehicles – dark grey sticker

Driving in France

The first thing to be aware of is that as soon as you alight the ferry, you will be driving on the right side of the road. If this is your first time driving on the right side, then take your time to get used to it, stay calm, and always drive in the slower right-hand lanes.

Overtaking   

Use the left-hand lanes to overtake, and on steep gradients, the downhill traffic must give way to uphill traffic and overtaking trams is permitted on the right but on the left in street with less space.

Road Priority

Priority is given to vehicles approaching from the left and on a roundabout, priority is given to vehicles already on the roundabout and of course, emergency vehicles are always given priority, same as the UK.

Warnings                            

Horns may only be used during daylight hours, and flashing lights must be used at other times. Only in extreme cases of danger should the horn be sounded. In all built-up areas, sirens, multi-toned horns, and whistles are banned.          

Seat Belt Laws

All passengers must wear seat belts. It is up to the driver to ensure all passengers under the age of 18 are secured by seat belts, and a fine of up to £135 is imposed if caught without.

Traffic Lights

Traffic lights in France are still the 3-way, red, amber, and green lights, but there is no amber light after the red. Flashing amber means caution; you can slow down or proceed but give way to vehicles approaching from the right. Flashing red means no entry; it may also show a level crossing or exits used by emergency vehicles. If a yellow arrow accompanies a red light, you may carry on in the direction of the arrow as long as you give way to vehicles travelling in that same direction and any pedestrians crossing.

French Speed limits

Speed limits in France are shown in kilometres and are lowered in certain weather conditions such as rain, snow, and ice, and there is a minimum speed for travelling in the outside (fast lane) of the motorway, which is 80 KM/H. In normal dry conditions, the speed limit is 130 KM/H on a motorway, in rain or snow, 110 KM/H, and if visibility is less than 50m, it is 50 km/H. In built-up areas, it is never any more than 50 KM/H

There are several other regulations if you are in a campervan or motorhome or will be towing a trailer or caravan in France, so it is wise to read up and ensure you know all you need to be safe and legal when driving abroad.

I Hate Driving!

If this is something you hear yourself saying often or that your friends or family say, then you must ask why.  Hating driving while having to drive is not conducive to safe driving, which should be a worry.  This is not to say that every commuter should be filled with joy to be sitting in traffic jams and road works daily, but letting it spill over into your driver psyche can and should be avoided so that in your leisure time, you can regain the joy of driving to spend quality time with loved ones instead of avoiding the roads.

Every driver has very different issues when it comes to loving or hating driving. Most are sat in the middle, with driving being a necessary means of travel to enable the smooth flow of everyday life. These drivers have no issues either way. They have no real incidents or accidents, are not reckless drivers, do not incur speeding points and purchase cars based on fuel consumption, practicality and current trends. The drivers that LOVE to drive love everything about driving, from the cars, the roads, and the motorsports to staying very current with new technology and highway regulations. Many will take further Advanced Driver training, and some even go on to train others.

Our children don’t shy away from getting on a scooter or a bike, and very few teenagers say they never want to learn to drive, so where does the hate of driving begin?

If we are unconfident drivers as parents, it will rub off on our children; sitting in the backseat, they are soaking up the atmosphere like sponges. So, if you show stress and annoyance with yourself, they begin to believe this is a normal part of driving. Then, in turn, many are already fearful of driving before they start, especially girls, unfortunately. We are cautious about how we monitor our words and reactions towards others around our children, and we should also consider monitoring how we drive in front of them. Seeing calm and controlled parenting as drivers will help them become relaxed and controlled drivers.

RTC Fears:

If we are unfortunate enough to have been involved in an accident, then it is no wonder that a hate of driving should arise. However, it is important not to stay in the hating stage for long. Firstly, be grateful that you are still here to read this article, and secondly, stop overthinking about how or what should have been or could have been done differently. We cannot change the past, even though, as a defence mechanism, our brains still try to replay the incident as if finding something would wipe out the mangled metal and broken bones, but that is not going to happen, so it is vital to look at better mechanisms such as CBT therapy or mindfulness to help you stop overthinking and get back to driving with confidence again. It will be money well spent to take some post RTC driver training, as specialised tutors will be able to give you a toolbox of techniques to help you cope with anxieties that can crop up at any time.

Occasionally, a hatred of driving creeps up on you over time, with no real reason; sometimes, it is just the monotony of the journeys being taken, or often, it is just not driving to the extent that you were.  There are many reasons, and everyone is different. Covid created thousands of unconfident drivers; no one drove much for months on end, and when they did, the roads were deserted, so there was little sense of danger. It also fuelled the work-from-home revolution, so many people never went back to the commuter drive every day.

Getting Older:

As many couples get older, they settle into a pattern of just one driver. If the main driver becomes ill, the driving becomes the responsibility of the driver who hates to drive; this can cause huge anxiety, which makes driving even more difficult. Luckily, many avenues are available to explore when it comes to addressing driving confidence, and they don’t necessarily mean starting from scratch with a driving instructor, as many would think!

Disability or illness can add to driving anxiety, but that should not detract from a love of driving as long as you have been declared medically fit to drive and have the right vehicle for you. This includes older drivers. There is no need to give up driving on the advice of a well-meaning family if you still enjoy it. Take a proper driving assessment and really review your driving; it will put everyone’s mind at rest.

Am I too old to drive?

Being able to drive is one of the things that gives us independence as adults, and to lose that in our old age is a worry for many, but there is no age limit for drivers as long as they are competent and safe to continue.

There are over 5 million drivers over the age of 70 on UK roads, but their licences have not been automatically renewed.  Within 90 days of their 70th birthday, a renewal form will be sent from the DVLA, or you can renew online; you will need to declare any medical conditions and that your eyesight is still satisfactory for driving. As long as these requirements are met, your licence will be renewed for 3 years, at which time you will need to renew with the same medical and eyesight questions to be answered.

Certain conditions listed below also require the DVLA to send a fitness to drive confirmation from your GP or a medical examination with your licence renewal every three years.

• heart conditions (including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers)
• syncope (fainting)
• stroke
• epilepsy
• diabetes or taking insulin medication
• glaucoma

Regular medical check-ups are crucial for ensuring your driving safety. Some prescription drugs can affect your driving ability, so it’s important to consult your GP or pharmacist to ensure you’re safe to drive. Remember, it’s your responsibility to do so, and these check-ups can provide reassurance and a sense of responsibility.

Being disabled or having a medical condition should not necessarily affect your licence, but you do need to consider things such as frailty or tiredness.

When should I consider giving up my driving licence?

Deciding when to give up your driving licence is a challenging question. If you have doubts about driving or if an incident has occurred, it’s time to be honest with yourself. Take some time to review the incident, discuss it with family and friends, and ask for their honest advice.

Be open to their feedback, as they are there to support and understand you. If you want to keep your independence and driving licence for longer, it’s time to reconsider your driving habits.

Older drivers may have held a licence for over 40 years or more and have never taken further training since their driving test. If you consider how much highway regulations and technology have moved on in that time, hundreds of thousands of drivers are on the roads without the proper understanding of how to use them confidently, especially on smart motorways where even younger drivers need clarification.  Many older drivers know they are not up to date with new road regulations, which can add to their hesitancy and loss of confidence.

However, they do not think they can do anything about it and let their driving lapse instead of staying current.

Driving is very much like everything else; if you don’t use it, you lose it!  We all encourage our older relatives to get out and about, exercise, and visit folk, so we should also encourage them to take some mature driving confidence sessions to keep their driving licences and independence longer and not worry should they be driving with grandchildren.

As long as a person is medically fit and well, there is no reason they cannot be driving into their 90’s and beyond.

We offer mature driving assessments for older drivers and general confidence driving courses available throughout the UK.

What to do if you witness a road collision

Witnessing a road traffic collision can be extremely upsetting, and apart from being involved in one yourself, it is one of the worst experiences you can have on the road. However, it’s important to remember that staying calm is one of the most important things to do in such a situation. This will help you to keep a clear head and make the right decisions.

Do I need to stop?

If you are involved in a road traffic collision and do not stop, it is illegal. Depending on the collision, you can be fined up to £5000 and even jailed. However, the rules are slightly different if you are just a witness to a collision and not involved. The Highway Code will advise drivers not to slow down and be distracted by a collision, especially on busy roads and dual carriageways, as this can often make matters worse by obstructing emergency vehicles or causing further collisions.

If this happens to you, then quick decisions need to be made, as stopping at the scene of an accident can be vital, especially if it is a quiet or deserted road where few vehicles are around; in cases like this, your presence can be lifesaving.

What to do if you witness an accident:

If you witness an accident and feel you need to help, you must find a safe spot to pull over so as not to obstruct the road. Put your hazard lights on immediately if you see an accident happening in front of you, and slow down as safely as you can. Indicate while pulling over, and keep checking your mirrors to make sure you are not causing motorists behind you problems.

Warn other road users

If you have a warning triangle, it is good practice to place it approximately 45 metres from behind the crash, but not in the middle of a lane, as this is very dangerous in itself. If you are in a dark rural area, it may be wise to have a torch that you can use to flag the accident to oncoming traffic.

Preventing further danger:

Once you have stopped safely, turn your engine off. There is always the possibility of spilt petrol or diesel, so it is vital not to smoke and to tell others not to smoke nearby. There will probably be shattered glass around, so be careful where you are walking.

Getting help:

Once you have stopped your car, then it is time to assess the situation; if you are a lone traveller, then call the emergency services straight away, or if you have a passenger, then ask them to call while you check for injury and how many people are involved and be as detailed as you can about the nature of the collision and the types of vehicles involved, as this will help them to deploy the right services. Call 999 from your mobile or use any SOS telephone at the roadside. If you are on a motorway, the marker posts will tell you your position to relay to help.

What assistance can I give?

Once you have established that all engines are switched off and after you have called for assistance, then you can assess the incident and offer assistance if safe. The Highway Code states that you can direct uninjured people to the side of the road well away from oncoming traffic; this would be behind the hard shoulder or central reservation if on a motorway. For injured people, it is essential not to move unless there is a real danger of explosion or fire; for motorcyclists, it is essential not to remove their helmet unless it is absolutely critical, if restricting breathing or attempting mouth-to-mouth, for example.

If you can not move the injured person, try to ensure they are warm and not alone, as they can be very confused; it is vital to stop them from trying to move or wandering into traffic lanes. Reassure them that help is on the way, and do not give them anything to eat or drink. Also, check for signs of shock, as this can be life-threatening and occurs when the blood flow is very low.

Symptoms of shock:

Shock can be very dangerous, especially after a road traffic collision, so knowing the symptoms can be extremely helpful as you can direct emergency help.

• Clammy, pale skin
• Very enlarged pupils
• Bluish tinge to lips and fingernails
• Rapid shallow breathing
• Very fast pulse
• Weakness and fatigue
• Vomiting or nausea

Before emergency services arrive, the best treatment you can offer is to keep the person calm and warm, lay them down with raised legs if possible, and loosen any tight clothing, belts and ties, for example.

Emergency assistance:

While the emergency services will always be the best equipped to deal with road traffic collisions, your assistance can be invaluable. Many people will be grateful for any previous experience with lifesaving training. However, even without such training, you can still assist and potentially save a life. This is why it’s important to keep a first aid kit in your car, along with a warm blanket and phone charger.

The Highway code advises remembering the DRABC acronym:

• D- Danger
• R – Response
• A-Airway
• B- Breathing
• C-Circulation

You should also check for burns and pour cool, clean water for as long as possible, water permitting, and cover in cling film or a clean plastic bag if nothing else.

Information you need to provide as a witness:

If you are involved in a road traffic collision, it is your duty to report it to the police, but as a witness, you play a crucial role. You may be asked to provide an account of what you saw and did. Your details as an independent witness can be invaluable, helping with insurance claims or if the police need a witness.

Witnessing a collision can be highly traumatic, and many people’s memories can become blurred. Therefore, it is important to keep a record, take photographs, and make voice notes as soon as possible after the incident. Remembering details such as number plates, the weather, and the time can be vital, especially in serious cases. Dash Cam footage has become very important in establishing fault in many cases, so it may be something you want to consider, especially if you are a high-mileage driver.

Motoring Money-Saving Tips

Many have felt the pinch regarding finances in recent times, and those who drive seem to be hit even harder. With a little forward planning and common-sense thinking, there are ways we can save money on motoring expenses. Here are some great tips to help save money that can make a big difference to your wallet over a year.

Fuel

It is worth spending a few minutes checking out the cheapest fuels in your area. If you get loyalty supermarket tokens, you can use them to fill up your tank in one go rather than putting small amounts of fuel in at a time.

Many nationwide fuel stations have loyalty cards which can save you money, especially if you drive many miles a year. Using these does not limit you to certain areas or supermarkets and you can fill up with the same discount/loyality wherever you are.

Check your tyres – under-inflated tyres will increase fuel usage.

Do you need to run the Air Con? If not switched off, it uses more power, which in turn will use more fuel, even if minimal. Although it may be more comfortable for you, running the engine for the car to warm up on a cold day, before starting your journey only wastes fuel, if the windows are clear, you are safe to drive, and you will not damage the engine by running it from cold, just be wise and drive gently for the first 5-10 minutes.

Drive with less aggressive acceleration; putting your foot down will use more fuel. Also, reducing your cruising speed by even a few mph will save fuel. If you have one set a speed limiter to help you. Also, forward planning and observation, as we teach during our advanced driving courses, will help you save up to 20% on your fuel costs.

When purchasing a car, investigate which fuel is going to work for you. If you drive over 12,000 miles a year then a diesel-fuelled car may be your better option when it comes to saving money on fuel. Of course, there is always the Electric option!

Do you need to drive today? Do you have other options? Are you entitled to a bus pass? Can you car share? The best way to save money with fuel is not to use it!

Insurance

Insurance premiums can vary a lot between insurers so it is wise to shop around, and not just auto-insure yearly without really checking out the money you can save with other companies. If you do find a lower price, then go back to your usual insurer and let them know – they will do their best to compete with it.  Always haggle where you can!

Be precise on your mileage when you look at insurance quotes, don’t pay for mileage you won’t be using.

You can look at family policies as they can work out cheaper for the entire family overall. Some providers allow the transference of partial no claims to other drivers on the same policy.

If you use the car sporadically then why not consider temporary insurance just for the days you will be using it, many classic car drivers do this. Black Box insurance will help to keep policy prices lower for new drivers and if the first few years go well with few incidences, then this will help to reduce insurance premiums massively moving forward.

Pay your insurance premiums in full annually if you can, as paying monthly will incur extra credit costs.

Maintenance

We would all love to have a technician on hand to look after our vehicles as service and repair can be very costly but there are ways to save money with a few common-sense tips. Check your car daily, tyres, wipers, water, and bulbs at least, if you drive with any of these in defect, then you can risk being pulled over by the Police, which can cost up to £100 a time.

Park in areas less likely to cause damage. Supermarket carparks or dimly lit streets can be some of the worst areas for damage or theft. Body repairs to cars can be very expensive.

Make sure you have the right tyres for the condition of the road, and consider winter tyres in areas that experience adverse weather. Under inflation can cost a lot in fuel, let alone the safety implications, so tyre pressures must be checked regularly.

Do pre-MOT checks yourself, many garages will do a free Vehicle Health Check so take advantage of that, this way you will get the opportunity to know what your vehicle may fail the MOT, and you won’t be caught in a last-minute trap of having to pay large prices to get your vehicle through the MOT.

Take advantage of the service and maintenance offers when purchasing a car, many dealerships will have service plans that you can pay in full with the price of the car, or you can pay monthly, whatever is easiest for you.  This way you will know that even if money is tight then you will always have the safety needs of the car looked after.

If your car is out of warranty and you need a repair it may be cheaper to source a part yourself and get an independent technician to fit it rather than getting the complete job done at a main dealer. This way you will not be paying the extra for the garage to source the part and fit for you, this can save a lot of money overall.

With everything these days money can be saved, but it is all about forward thinking and planning ahead when it comes to looking after your car’s needs. Don’t let things get too bad before addressing them, as often a small repair can lead to a big problem if left.  Using common sense and having an economical eye on fuel, insurance and repairs will make a big difference to family finances.

Potholes – A Major UK Issue

It is probably not surprising, but statistically, there are 6 or 7 potholes per mile, and over a million are currently noted on UK roads. Not only do they cause problems for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, but it is also worrying that we as taxpayers are footing the bill for repair, which is incredibly annoying when many temporary repairs are being done, and the problems persist. Potholes are so called because when the Romans were building roads, many people would steal from the layer of clay to make pots, but even so, it is clear that the Romans had the right idea when building roads, with many ancient routes still being used today.

What Causes a Pothole?

A pothole is caused when surface damage to the road becomes filled with water and then spreads under the tarmac to make more significant depressions and, over a short time, can end up being big enough for car wheels, tyres, and suspensions to be damaged. In the winter, the water freezes, which can expand the damage, and cracks can appear that weaken the road surface even more.

Depending on the size and depth of the potholes, they can cause many issues.  Minor potholes just starting to appear do not cause too many problems, but if left, they will become deeper and broader with the amount of traffic that rolls over them daily. Rural roads and narrow lanes with ditches to the sides often carry more potholes. They are less prioritised than busy main road routes, which is unfortunate as these types of roads usually see the most vehicle damage and make lanes very dangerous to cyclists.

Hazards and Damage

Apart from the hazards of vehicle damage, a pothole can be deadly, especially if running into one causes your car to veer off course. If pedestrians or cyclists are on the side of the road, they can be involved in terrible collisions that can be life-changing, at the least. Scanning the road ahead is vital on all roads, especially those that are particularly littered with potholes. Still, on rural roads without street lighting, they can be very hard to spot in time and with speed, they can send your car off the road very easily, and many drivers have ended up in ditches because of this.  These accidents can be very costly, and insurers have written off many vehicles due to the expense needed to repair them.  This also pushes up everyone’s insurance premiums.

Pothole damage can ruin tyres, and even if the tyre does not appear immediately damaged, it can cause rips in the sidewalls, making the car dangerous to drive and fail an MOT. It could also result in police action if you’re caught with a tyre defect. It is essential to check your tyres regularly, especially if you live in an area particularly poor for pothole damage. In addition to tyres, expensive alloy wheels can be damaged, with some drivers needing new wheels and tyres after hitting a pothole. Wheels and tyres are the apparent issues, but in many cases, running into a pothole can cause suspension and steering issues.

The RAC has done a survey to show that the most dangerous problem of potholes is the loss of control for the driver; this is when pedestrians and cyclists are in the most danger. There was a very high-profile death in October 2023 in Lancashire when a keen cyclist was killed due to a pothole, causing the driver to lose control. According to Cycling UK, over 15% of cyclist accidents result from pothole damage.

Often, a pothole cannot be avoided, especially on a busy road with traffic on each side, but we advise that slow speeds and more space between vehicles can help to avoid such issues. If a cyclist or pedestrian is close by, drivers need to exercise more caution and move away from the pothole if possible.

National Pothole reporting app

The National Pothole reporting app has gained popularity in recent years, www.stantheapp.com. This app not only allows you to identify particularly poor roads in your area but also enables you to report them. By doing so, you’re not just helping yourself, but you’re also contributing to a nationwide overview of the state of UK roads. This collective data could expedite fixing these roads, more so than just reporting to your local council. It’s a small action that can make a big difference, and we all have a part to play in it.

If you are unfortunate enough to come across a pothole and suffer damage to your vehicle, you can likely be compensated for the damage by your local council. You must find a safe space to stop, take photographs of the pothole and its position, and take any pictures of the vehicle damage, plus receipts for repairs with a report from a garage to state the damage caused. Last year alone, over £500,000 was paid out from three councils in just the South East of the UK to drivers with pothole damage. With the current financial position of many councils facing bankruptcy, this money needed to be spent better in the first place.

Avoiding Potholes

There is only one way to try and avoid potholes, and that is to be proactive with your driving, to ensure that you are doing everything safely to move past or around potholes and make sure that the other road users are aware of your actions by indicating when you move out from the roadsides and slowing down – because you never know how deep a pothole is until you are on top of one. Scanning the road ahead is one of the best tools you can have in pothole situations, and noticing cars ahead if they are moving away from the sides of the road. If driving in the dark and on small lanes, slow speeds and full beam where possible with help. Remember, you have the power to protect yourself and others on the road.

Five Essential Car Safety Checks Anyone Can Do (But Usually Don’t Bother)

Some safety-related items on cars need specialist attention, such as checking the thickness of a brake disc or brake pad. However, there are lots anyone can check—knowing nothing about cars is no excuse either! Below are the top five safety checks anyone can do, but amazingly, few actually bother!

1. Windscreen Wipers – It only take less than one minute to check the condition of your wiper blades. You should look for any cuts where the wiper to windscreen rubber is starting to rip. It is also a good idea to check the fitment is right and not lose or insecure in anyway. Check for smearing and clean if needed.

2. Windscreen Wash – Refer to your service book, but you will be able to identify the windscreen washer bottle as it will often have a screen wash image on a blue cap. This is usually found to the far left or right of an engine compartment. Refer to the screen wash to get the right concentration. Some screen wash is already premixed, others require water – typically a 30% wash 70% water is fine for UK weather. However, in very cold weather, this should be nearer 50%

3. Lights – Applying all the lights and taking the time to walk around the car (including hazard warning lights) is an easy way to check their operation. For brake lights and reverse lights ask a friend to check as you operate the brake pedal/reverse light.

4. Tyres – It does not take long to check the condition of tyres. To check if the tyres are legal, you will need a tyre tread depth gauge however, if you don’t have one that is no excuse not to check them. A visual inspection can quickly show any damage in the tyre and sidewall. Check for cuts and bulges on the side, and of course the tread itself for excessive wear. The minimum tyre tread depth is 1.6mm (about the thickness of a 2p coin).

5. Suspension – A quick bump test can indicate if you have worm shocks. Simply push repeatedly down hard on the side of car over each wheel 4 to 6 times. When you stop, the bouncing movement should stop almost immediately. If it continues to oscillate you may have worn shocks, which will not only reduce the cars handling ability, it will also increase braking distances and stability under braking. Also, listen for mysterious knocks and bumps. Consult a garage at your earliest convenience if in doubt.

Care For Your Car – Keep It Longer

Simple tips for keeping your car on the road for longer

Most cars on the road today will have an average life span of between 8 and 15 years before scrapping. To ensure that you give your car the best chance of a longer life, there are simple checks and things that you can do to keep your car longer.

Keeping your battery charged

If you only use your car a few times a week for short journeys, you could face a flat battery as you may be taking more energy from the battery than you are replacing. This is especially important in the winter when we jump in the car using the lights, heaters, and wipers, all taking charge from a battery that short journeys will only partially replace. It is wise always to give the car a good run every now and then to keep the charge.

Regular filter changes

Filters are usually changed on a service, the oil filter on each minor service and the air and fuel filters on major services. Your service schedule should show you what filters are due for a change. Filters can become clogged up over time, and by changing them regularly will help your engine run better. Technicians change oil and fuel filters, but you can change an air filter at home. Always try to use genuine filters instead of cheaper, poorer-quality ones where possible. Importantly. If you drive a diesel car, then it is possible that your particulate filter (DPF) could get clogged over time. A good run on a motorway, using spirited acceleration, is often enough for the DPF system to clear itself. Diesel cars really don’t like just plodding around town at a low RPM.

Smooth driving style

It is always better to have a smooth and calm driving technique. This is called “Mechanical Sympathy”; you should remember this for every trip. “Mechanical Sympathy” means that you know your car well, understand your car controls, and know how to use them. Every component of your car is used when driving, the steering wheel, the gearbox, and the pedals and using them in a smooth manner and using good forward planning and observations will allow you to brake less harshly and, in turn, give your braking system, pads and discs a much longer life. Smoothly using your pedals and gearbox will decrease maintenance bills and likely save money on fuel. It is wise to push a diesel-powered car in a lower gear up close to the redline, once fully warm, every few hundred miles to move any carbon deposits building up.

Make sure you drive very conservatively when your car is cold – keep RPM low and change gear a little sooner. A lot of engine wear occurs when the engine and oil is cold.

Super fuels:

If you drive a diesel car, using super fuels like Shell V Power Diesel can help keep the engine clean on the inside. You don’t need to always fill up on the expensive stuff– but a full tank every 2,000 miles or so can help. Cheap supermarket fuels are fine, but they don’t have the cleaning additivities, and so as the miles pass, the chances of blocked injectors or DPF issues etc, increase with supermarket-fed cars. Supermarket diesel is cheap for a reason.

Always use your Air Con

If Aircon systems are not used regularly, then you will find that the refrigerant gas can leak over time. It is a sound idea to use the Aircon all the time, it is excellent for clearing condensation or iced screens, and some people still think that using the Aircon system adds to the fuel use, but in modern cars, this is not the case. It can be costly to have the system regassed just when you need it most, probably at the height of summer.

Make sure your fluids are topped up

The fluids used in a car are vital, and failing to keep them topped can be bad news. You should check your oil every week using the dipstick or in-car computer. Some high-performance engines use oil – this usually is not a problem. But excessive oil consumption can be bad news.

Make sure the oil is replaced as per the service schedule. A lot of modern-day vehicles can go 15,000 miles + or 2 years between changes. Despite various debates on driving forums, you don’t need to change the oil any sooner. Gone are the days when you had to do an oil service every 6,000 miles. Engines and oil technology have moved on a lot since then. The only reason to change earlier is if you have car OCD or do high-speed track driving or other arduous driving.

Tyre checks

The legal limit for tyres is 1.6mm. Tyres below this are illegal and can land you with a fine of £2,500 per tyre. When a car has an MOT, the tread is checked at the sides, middle and inner across the entire tyre surface. It will be an MOT failure if it is less than 1.6 mm over any part of the tyre. It is also worth knowing that if you have hit a kerb and the side cords are showing, the tyre will also be deemed a failure. You can easily check your own tyres, and you should be doing this on a regular schedule. It is also wise to make sure that your tyres are to the correct inflation.  

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Parking your car at home

Although most houses often have garages, they are not used to house a car. With more modern car paints and sealants, there is less corrosion, so people think parking on a drive in all weathers is fine. Your car is best to be garaged wherever possible as it is dry and clean and will reduce accidental damage, theft, or vandalism. Some insurers do give discounts for garaged cars.

Modified cars

Unfortunately, as attractive as it may be, adding modifications to your car can actually decrease its value.

Having the engine tuned or modified may put extra strain on other parts, such as brakes and tyres, as you will be able to drive faster. Uprated, firmer suspension can add more wear and tear on the subframe and body, bushes and chassis. You may also find that modified cars are more costly to insure, as they are far more desirable to car thieves and more likely to be crashed!

Take care on poor road surfaces

Potholes and uneven roads can cause immense damage to your car, so you must pay attention to the road surface. Reduce your speed and try to avoid driving over them (if you can!). If you hit a pothole at speed, you can damage not only your tyres but also the alloys and suspension. Driving regularly on uneven roads and tracks can also significantly affect your suspension, with springs breaking due to added pressure on uneven surfaces along with bushes taking a bashing.

Clean your car regularly

Cleaning the car regularly is not just for vanity, but it can significantly extend the life of your vehicle. Regular cleaning will stop the build-up of road dirt and salt that can cause corrosion. During the winter, grit can be corrosive, and even bird droppings can remove the lacquer’s top layer, making the paintwork look dull and scratched. Regular cleaning and waxing will help not only make your car look great but also help you get to know your car in closer detail – you are far more likely to notice any issues before they get too bad when you closely inspect a car. Cleaning the inside of the car is just as important. If you have leather seats make sure you clean them with a leather cleaner and conditioner – as they can look tired and dry over the years.

Poor driving habits

Many people drive with their foot resting on the clutch in a manual car, and over time, this can push the clutch release bearing into contact with the clutch cover and cause friction that will lead to premature clutch burnout. Much the same happens when resting your hand on the gearstick. Without thinking, you will often move or wriggle the gearstick when you don’t need to change gear, and this can cause added pressure on the gear selector and speed up your gearbox’s wear and tear. If you drive an auto avoid erratic acceleration from a standstill and make sure you have come to a standstill before engaging reverse or drive. Allow the internals to do their thing.

Many gearboxes are “sealed for life” – what they mean is it will last probably 100,000 miles or so. Fine for the average driver, but if you’re keeping your car for the long term, it’s sensible to change the gearbox oil every 50,000 miles. The same goes for the differential oil.

Keep an eye on your fuel level

There are a few reasons that keeping a good amount of fuel in the tank is worthwhile. Firstly if a tank is very low, it has more room for evaporation, and although very small in amount, it can add to your fuel costs over time. Secondly and most importantly, when your fuel levels are low, you will end up using the fuel that lies on the bottom of the tank, and this is where any sediments lie. Once these are sucked into the engine, they can block the fuel filter and cause expensive injector problems. Using good quality petrol or diesel with the added cleaner will help to help the life of your fuel system and injectors.

On the other hand, when diesel cars get low on fuel, the powerful injectors can draw in air, which can potentially cause the engine not to work too well. One of the most disastrous mistakes you can make with fuel is using the wrong one. This can often happen when moving from a petrol car into a diesel car or vice versa. If this ever happens to you, hopefully, you will realise as soon as you have done it, in which case, do not start your engine and call breakdown immediately. If you have moved off and your car feels strange or loses power, pull over as safely as possible and await breakdown, do not attempt to keep moving, as this will ruin your fuel system and the entire engine.

Don’t ignore warning lights

It is always unsettling when a warning light appears on the dashboard, but it is vital to get the car looked at as soon as possible, especially if the issue is not one you can fix yourself. Warning lights don’t tend to go away on their own and often will require expert assistance. Your car will not pass its yearly MOT with most warning lights on, and if you’re involved in an accident, knowing there was a warning light on the system could void any insurance claim.

Listen to your car

Every now and then, driving without the radio playing is a good idea to get used to how your car sounds. Doing this will let you know when something may go wrong.

Look at your car

Looking at your car all around every now and then will alert you to any bodywork damage and any potential suspension or chassis problems. Quite often, when a road spring breaks, especially on older cars, it will happen when the car is stationary, but if you were to miss this and get in the car and attempt to drive, it could cost you not only the spring repair but the replacement cost of the wheel, tyre and possible wheel arch repair.

Following a small schedule of car care and maintenance will benefit you in the long run, and as we all know, cars do depreciate quickly, but keeping yours in the very best condition you can mean that you will always be able to sell on for a fair price.