#3500 lives – what are your tips for safe driving?
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Yeah but they were back-seat drivers.
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...and why should Fred have all the fun?
our two vehicles couldn't be more different....an A class MH, albeit not too wide nor too long, and a tiny Fiat 500.
the 500 goes through any gap, parks anywhere but is low and the view well ahead up the road is not so good...
the MH has a huge windscreen and side windows giving a panoramic view out, add in the height of the driver seat and we can see over most traffic (including 4x4s) which help with picking up changing traffic conditions more quickly...
both are fun to drive in their own evironment, with the MH being a better long distance vehicle.
but, in either, we don't rush, are courteous to others and drive in a defensive manner, being prepared for as many eventualities as the road can throw at you...
that doesn't mean we dawdle, we keep up with the traffic flow at all times, but different vehicles require additional skills, especially reading where there are pinch points ahead and anticipation of that other large vehicle coming round the tight corner...
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Those 'less young' members may remember the old TV 'two second rule' road safety adverts. The idea is to note when the vehicle in front passes a marker like a lamp post, say to yourself "Only a fool breaks the two-second rule" (which takes two seconds) and if you've reached the marker before you've finished saying it you're the fool.
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I set the cruse control at 58 M.P.H. on the motorway, so it doesn't go over 60 M.P.H.going down hill, & I take control when needed by braking or changing gear, but I get a lot of caravans with big cars passing me like a bat out of h*** they must be doing over 75 M.P.H.
I have also observed other caravans on sites great big awnings, Bikes,Table & Chairs & 2 steel gas bottles, I am on my weight limit with a Plastic refillable bottle and No Awning, Bikes or table & Chairs, so they must be well over their weight limit
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Nothing wrong with a friendly wave a courteous disposition to spread harmony
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they say drive half a hour sit at a river for ten minutes
then drive back
good government advice or what
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I was given similar advice back in the 70's when being taught to fly in the Royal Navy, about other pilots and also drivers on the road.
I have since then heard about look OUT and added OFF
O Over
U Under
T Through
OFF use reflections off parked cars windows etc. to get information around corners.
Try also to look at the vehicles 2 or 3 in front, not just the one immediately in front as they will give early indications of breaking.
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"Through" is much trickier these days with the prediliction for privacy glass.
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My golden rule is always to allow plenty of time/space to take avoiding action. In terms of towing, careful loading with all heavy items (spare wheel, jack, awning etc) in the car and keeping the speed down, all too often of late I've been overtaken by outfits travelling way over 60mph. I think we often take stabilisers too much for granted. One last point, especially on motorways, what's going on behind you is just as important as what's ahead!
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A read of 'Roadcraft', as old as it is, still contains some good advice for road users.
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Beware of Nissan Micras
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They do seem to attract a certain type of driver, don't they.
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Cheeky things! I drive a Juke now but always drove micras previously. Great little cars. It’s sometimes other drivers, who assume you will be ultra slow and try to cut you up that were the problem. My micras always pulled away from the lights quickly, leaving the driver who was reving his engine and thought he would cut in front behind. Wish my Juke did.
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Passed motorcycle test 1970 holding a motorcycle licence,ever since.Passed driving test 1974 and driving,cars vans motorhomes etc,towing trailers/caravans I have learned to read the road,read the signs of other drivers' road behaviour and to hang back and anticipate "situations" before they develop rather than rushing up to them and then having to extricate yourself from said situation.Look behind and around you constantly as well as ahead.Oh, and still to "make progress" whenever it is safe to do so to keep traffic flowing.Never loose your temper behind the wheel whatever other drivers do to "upset" you- a vehicle is like a loaded gun and should be handled as such-with the utmost care for those around you.
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Some years ago as a special constable I was asked to have my driving assessed before being allowed to drive a police vehicle the first thing I was told was to look up and not just look at the car in front and of course the two second rule
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don't drive for too long, as an retired Driver I use the tachograph rules, you must take a break of 45 mins after 4.5 hours driving, that 45 mins can be made of 1 or more breaks of 15 mins before the 4.5 hrs
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One of the more recent additional hazards that we must all watch out for is electric scooters. These are not only illegal, (in most cases), but usually being ridden in such a way as to cause a danger to both themselves and other road users. In the space of the last few days I have seen about a dozen being ridden, at speed, on pavements and occasionally on the road. On at least two occasions the riders have just gone straight across a junction road without slowing or stopping, weaving their way through moving traffic. Some of these that I have seen have been at night with no lights on and, invariably dressed in dark clothing including face masks, presumably so that they can't be identified. Drivers have enough to contend with without this addition of illegal idiots. Regretfully, it is not evident that the police are doing anything about this issue. If they were, there would not be so many blatantly being ridden illegally.
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