Better skills behind the wheel
Even some small steps can make you a better driver, says
Self-improvement is never a bad thing. Be that reading more, exercising a little more frequently, or waking up a bit earlier to make the most of the day – making some small changes can often make a big difference in the long run.
So, what if you want to improve as a driver?
The same principles apply here too, and there certainly steps you can take to help better yourself behind the wheel.
Here are some things to consider…
TRY EXTRA TRAINING
There are a number of options when it comes to driver training. There are courses that allow you to push a car a little harder than you would do on the public road in order to see how it responds and reacts, for instance, which give you a better understanding of advanced driving techniques. There are also courses in ‘defensive driving’ which look at improving your observation and detection skills – as well as your vehicle handling technique – that can really improve your safety levels out on the road.
BE MORE OBSERVANT
One way you can quickly become a better driver is by becoming a little more observant when you’re out and about. Try to ‘see’ ahead of where you’re driving (further than you would do normally) and prepare for junctions, crossings and stop signs in plenty of time. This will provide you with more time to react to a potential issue while also making any journey calmer and more relaxing.
BE AS SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE
Making your driving as smooth as can be another easy way to improve – but it also helps to save fuel. So go easy with the accelerator and use a gentle application of the throttle while matching it to smooth gear changes. It’s a good idea to
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change gears a little earlier than normal too. The same goes for the brakes. Try not to match harsh acceleration with equally harsh braking; start with a light approach before adding more pressure until you’ve come to a halt. Your passengers will thank you for this as well.
GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF SPACE
Leaving a well-sized gap between yourself and the car in front is another way to improve your driving. It’ll give you more time to react and it’ll also making things more relaxing for the driver ahead, who can be safe in the knowledge you’re not driving too closely. Remember the rhyme ‘only a fool breaks the two-second rule’. This is best checked by measuring the car ahead against a fixed point – like a roadside tree or breakdown phone – and, if you’re not able to recite that verse in the time it takes your to drive past that fixed marker, then you’re too close to the car head.
DRIVE TO THE CONDITIONS
We do get all sorts of weather in the UK which is why driving to the conditions is so important. In heavy rain, make sure you bring your speed down and leave even more space between yourself and the car in front. Likewise, if the temperatures fall, then it’s a good idea to drive a little more cautiously to ensure that any ice on the roads doesn’t catch you out.
REMOVE DISTRACTIONS
If you’ve got your phone in the car then it can be really tempting to pick it up for a quick look – but this brings some serious issues. If you’re caught using a phone while driving, you could face up to six penalty points and a £200 fine. More importantly, there’s also the safety element, as peering at your phone dramatically
reduces your perception of the road ahead. Sobeforeyouheadoffonthe road, put the phone away, either in the glovebox or in a side
cubby. If you need to use it as a sat-nav,thenmakesureit’sin a proper holder and that your destination is set up prior to departure.
KEEP YOUR LANE DISCIPLINE
Making sure you’re in the correct lane on the motorway is essential to keeping the flow of traffic going and providing plenty of space. As always, the rule is to keep left when you’re not overtaking. If you do have to overtake a vehicle, make sure that it’s done smoothly and quickly and then, once completed, return back to the left-hand lane.