#3500 lives – what are your tips for safe driving?
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The first thing is to ensure your vehicle (and caravan where applicable) is fully and properly maintained in every aspect. Don't rely on 1.6mm tyre tread depths - I discard my tyres at a minimum depth of 3mm, based on the wear/performance graphs of the tyre manufacturers.
Drive in accordance with the Highway Code, don't speed and always maintain an adequate stopping distance from the vehicle ahead.
Don't allow yourself to drive to the point where you are tired, and plan frequent 'coffee break' stops on a long journey.
Always plan your route ahead and allow for possible delays along the way, and never place yourself in a situation where you feel that you must meet a tight time schedule.
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Always be alert and anticipate danger. For example if a ball comes into the road good chances are a child will follow. Always keep distance. Use all your mirrors. Always watch your speed and drive as conditions demand. Always expect drivers to do something stupid.
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Much good advice above. The particular thing that underpins virtually all of it is good observation. This involves extending where you look and in some situations particularly non urban, improving sight lines by vehicle positioning. For example your forward view will be compromised if you are too close to the vehicle in front and by moving closer to the kerb you may be able to see round a bend sooner or indeed past the vehicle in front. There are many tricks for example you can see a joining vehicles wheels turning before you can identify whole vehicle movement.
Extended forward observation has advantages irrespective of whether you are towing, or in a van car or motorcycle. Police advanced drivers are trained to look very far ahead and process what they observe into a rolling driving plan.
Less experienced drivers drive reactively which is less safe and less relaxing.
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36 Posts and nobody has mentioned it ..
WEIGHT
With so many of the new MH's being advertised as under 3500kg how many people actually bother to take the MH fully loaded with everything you are taking with you, including passengers, the dog, food, water, bikes, awning etc etc down to the weigh bridge and get it
WEIGHED
A 3500Kg MH with a 275Kg payload is useless and all you are doing is putting other peoples lives at risk by overloading it.
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Not necessarily. Most MHs plated at 3500kg actually have a design weight of 3650/ 3700kg and as such, although illegal if exceeding their plated weight, they may still be operating within their design limits.
I totally agree that a lot of 3500kg MHs are probably not fit for purpose.0 -
Dependent on what licence you have. Someone who has lost his C1 licence or someone new to MH's can drive one up to 3500Kg but they will be breaking the law if they are over the magic number.
If you are overweight you may not be Insured if you have an accident.
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Set out in good time and relax, don't be in such a rush.
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Take an Advanced driving course - teaches you far more than the limited amount taught just to get you through the test! Reading the road for a start, not just what is immediately in front of you. AND a towing and manouevering course - not just a plug for the Club's version - others are available - check out HGV training places! Having said that, I didn't do the latter, but was brought up on a farm and was reversing 4 wheel trailers aged 14!
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ALWAYS drive at a speed that you can stop within the distance that you can see to be clear. No matter what the road and, or, the weather conditions may be. Remember, wet roads double the stopping distance and icy surfaces ten times normal stopping distances. Never drink and drive, use your mobile on the move, and do not drive when tired or stressed. Driving requires 100% concentration, no less.
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not all drivers stick to the speed limit, even those with a van on the back. It is downright dangerous, and illegal, to drive too fast. When driving on the limit, how many times have we been overtaken by both types of drivers? keep it safe out there!
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Some good tips for safer driving there.
A week or two ago had to find Craigie Gardens site for the first time. Directions in the Green Book are usually excellent. This time some difficulty. Things were not made easier on the approach with a renamed road and a new roundabout.
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The biggest killer on the roads today is the mobile phone! Fact! Speed is another- slow down- you need to drive within yours and the vehicles capabilities! Drive for the mistakes of others. An example- if a guy is right up your chuff box with no room to stop if something happens, then slow off and increase your stopping distance between you and the car in front thereby giving braindead Dick at the back time to stop too without piling into the back of you. If you can't count 2 seconds between the car in front reaching a marker and you arriving at it, you're too close and as William says- allow much more for wear and icy roads.. I could go on but won't
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Leaving a good distance between yourself and the vehicle in front will cover nearly everything else others have mentioned. This is a defensive driving style that will give you time to think, react, and may save yours and others lives. KEEP YOUR DISTANCE and take your time. You will feel better for it. On the plus side you will get more miles per gallon with less wear and tear of you vehicle. Happy Caravanning.
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Nobody's mentioned the middle lane owners yet
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Attitude is a major factor in driving. If an applicant, when applying for a driving license had his lifesyle and past record taken into consideration before being allowed to drive the accident rate may plummet. Those with bad behavioral tendencies in other areas tend to bring them into the driving domain. I believe it is not possible to get a visa to enter the USA with a criminal record. Just imagine being in the knowledge that a driving licence can not be issued to those with a criminal record.
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Always look ahead, not just at the car in front but the two in front of it. Give yourself plenty of time to change direction and remember Signal, Mirror, Maneuver. Always use extended mirrors, if your trailer is wider than your car. It's the law that you can see behind you.Your car mirrors no matter how big they are, do not give you the correct angle. Plan your journey and allow stops it is recommended that you stop after 2 hours, get out walk around and have a natural break and a drink. Most of all enjoy your journey, it's better to arriave late than not at all.
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Make sure you know what's going on all around you all of the time.
Observation is most important thing as everything you do or react to is as a result of the information passing through your eyeballs.
How far could you drive with an Asda carrier bag over your head before you collided with something
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Lots of good points raised. Driving with a caravan on the back SHOULD help you become a better driver. What I mean is that when you have your caravan hitched up you ought to drive much more carefully (although not everyone does) and that has a carry over to when you are driving solo(or it does for me anyway). The point about driving without using your brakes is an excellent idea. When towing it is best to keep the vehicle moving rather than stop-start. Look well ahead and approach manoeuvres so that you can maintain momentum, so for instance at roundabouts try to judge your approach so that you can drive onto the roundabout without having to stop and then start again. Not always possible I know but surprising how often it is.
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, COLLISION AVOIDANCE !! The same as yachts and boats !!
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As with yachting "collision avoidance ".0
