Before you set off here are a few quick checks you can do to make sure your vehicle is in top shape:
All windows and window wipers: Get a bucket of soapy water and clean the front and rear windows (and remember to clean the inside as well). This will give you better protection against things such as sunstrike, heavy rain, being high-beamed etc. Having the clearest possible vision is critical. (See video on how to change wiper blades here)
Oil: Check the oil level when the car is cold and make sure it is on or above the minimum measurement of your dipstick. Oil is the "blood" of your engine, so make sure that it's clean or at least topped up.
Tyre pressure: Make sure that all tyres are at the correct pressure as this will assist your car's handling. (See video on how to check your tyre pressure here)
Open-road driving 101
Open-road driving presents a different challenge from driving in a town or built-up area. In a built-up area there is a lot of immediate risk and potential hazards, so your vision doesn't need to be so far up the road. As soon as your speed increases, your field of vision also needs to increase as you are trying to identify hazards and problems hundreds of metres in front of you, not just in the immediate vicinity.
Naturally, you are also more at risk on the open road due to things lsuch as:
- Busy high-speed traffic
- Impatient drivers
- Tired drivers
- Tailgating
- Most drivers are unaccustomed to driving on the open road and some take unecessary and dangerous risks
Here are some rules that may help you stay accident free:
Be patient: If you're stuck in a traffic jam, at roadworks or behind a truck, campervan or a slow driver then be patient. Bad things can happen when you get impatient so wait until it is safe to pass. Make sure you have plenty of clear space in front of you to allow safe overtaking.
Control your space: Keep the car in front of you at a safe distance to give yourself plenty of time to adjust if something ahead happens. This also increases your view of what is happening further up the road.
Be consistent: Keep to a consistent speed. If someone wants to overtake you they will be able to do so if your speed is steady. Pull over slightly to make it easier for them to go past.
Keep a cool head and be respectful of others: This one can be tough because of the pressure of being stuck behind someone or having a driver tailgating you. It is easy to get angry, but keep a cool head. If someone wants to pass you let them, reducing your speed a little so they can do so more easily.
Stay sharp: Keeping alert will help you stay alive when travelling at high speeds. You can react faster and make better decisions, should you need to. Make sure you stop often and take a break. Fatigue is a really big killer on our roads. It is important to recognise the signs that you are getting sleepy and pull over to a safe place to take a nap.
We're all human and it's very easy to make mistakes. Be considerate of others, and patient, and always think about how fast you are actually travelling.
I've been rally driving for quite some time now and I often say to people that if I was told to start a rally stage and advised to keep to the left while another driver started in the opposite direction, also keeping to the left, I wouldn't do it as it would appear to be a crazy situation. Yet this is what we do every day. We're constantly driving into oncoming traffic: don't be fooled into believing that a white line in the middle of the road will keep you safe.
Be a good driver this summer: stay alert, stay considerate and stay safe!
Emma Gilmour
