Driving Safety: Rules and Precautions

Safety

• MSM: Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre. Always stay calm, be patient, considerate, courteous, and safe.
• Parked Car Hazards: Three main risks: doors opening, cars pulling away, pedestrians stepping out.
• Emergency Stops: Avoid stopping on the hard shoulder unless in an emergency. Use a warning triangle (45m/147ft from obstruction) if you break down. Think triangular snooker break.
• Night Parking: Park on the right side of one-way streets at night. Use sidelights or parking lights if the speed limit exceeds 30mph.
• Reversing: Don't reverse for longer than necessary, check behind the vehicle before reversing, Be aware that children might not be seen.
• Mirrors: Use convex mirrors for wider visibility. Do peep and creep at limited-visibility junctions. Use reflections.
• Manoeuvres: Never force other road users across the road. Slow down and signal your intention.

Personal Health & Safety

• Medication: Seek medical advice before driving if taking medication.
• Drowsiness: If feeling drowsy, stop and rest as soon as safely possible and ensure fresh air.
• Phone Use: Avoid using phones while driving.
• Journey Planning: Plan routes and regular stops. Use maps, internet, or motoring organisations.

Control & Skidding

• Following Distance: Maintain 2-second following distance in good conditions. On wet roads, double the distance and in icy conditions, multiple the distance by 10 times.
• Icy/Snowy Conditions: Drive slowly in a higher gear. Black ice can make steering feel light and tyres quieter.
• Tailgating: Avoid following another vehicle too closely. Remember the 2-second rule.
• Braking: Increase the stopping space in front of you if a car is following closely behind; Use engine braking in lower gears. Coasting (keeping the clutch down or being in neutral) gives less steering and braking control.
• Emergency Braking: Apply brakes rapidly and firmly.

Lights

• Green Flashing Beacon: Doctor on call.
• Blue Flashing Lights: Emergency service vehicles
• Hazard Lights: Only used when stopped and temporarily obstructing traffic, or on the hard shoulder in an emergency situation, or a sudden slowdown on a motorway
• Parking Lights: Used for parking.
• Dipped Headlights: Used for driving to avoid dazzling other drivers.
• Full Beam: Use only when the road ahead is clear of traffic.
• Fog Lights: Use when visibility is less than 100 meters (328 feet), to alert other drivers
• Parking Lights at night (2 way roads): Leave them on if exceeding 30mph speed limit

Accidents

• Initial Response: Warn other drivers, contact authorities. Check if anyone needs first aid (if safe). Check ABC (airway, breathing, circulation), stop bleeding, keep them warm.
• Bleeding: Apply pressure, elevate. Do not remove anything stuck in them.
• Shock Signs: Sweating, vomiting, gray skin.
• Burns: Cool for at least 10 minutes.
• Moving Casualties: Do not move casualties unless immediate serious danger.
• Documentation: Vehicles need correct registration documentation (V5C) for a change of ownership.

Insurance

• Minimum Insurance: Third-party insurance covers damage to others (people, property, and vehicles).
• Comprehensive Insurance: Covers you and your vehicle in addition to the third-party.
• Excess: The amount you pay for accidents.

Tax

• Road Tax: Requires an MOT and Valid Insurance.
• Display Tax: Display tax clearly in the vehicle.
• SORN: Statutory Off-Road Notification; lasts 12 months and declares vehicle is not used on roads.
• MOT: Required for vehicles over 3 years old, ensuring the vehicle meets the required safety standards. Can only drive with a vehicle that does not meet MOT standards to an MOT centre.

Laws

• Learner Supervision: Must be 21+ with a full license for at least 3 years.
• Driving Licence & Tax Disc: Valid driving licence and tax disc are required.
• Adequate Insurance: Valid insurance is crucial.

Road Markings

• Stop Signs: Present when visibility is restricted.
• Box Junctions: Only enter if the exit is clear, can wait in oncoming traffic.
• Advanced Stop Lines: Allow cyclists to position in front of traffic.
• Solid White Line: Edge of carriageway.
• Hazard Approach Lines: Warn of approach speed.

Junctions

• Turning Right: Usually safest to cross from offside to offside.
• Unmarked Crossings: No-one has clear priority.
• Signalling Left: Wait until the turning vehicle has fully committed before pulling in front.
• Cyclists: Watch out for cyclists when turning left, check your door mirror.

Overtaking

• Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre: Crucial for overtaking safely.
• Crosswinds: Beware of crosswinds; they significantly impact larger vehicles, motorcyclists, and bicycles.
• Clearance: Ensure space for overtaking.
• One-Way/Turning Right: Legal to overtake in a one-way street or when the vehicle in front is turning right.

Mechanical

• Catalytic Converters: Reduce exhaust emissions, found on the exhaust system.

Horse Riders/Pedestrians/Dogs

• Horse Riders: Pass slowly and widely.
• Pedestrians: White stick and red band means deaf and blind. Yellow/Burgundy coat means deaf pedestrian.
• Numberplates: Etching the number plate can deter theft.
• Areas for trams: Line markings, colours, or textures may indicate reserved tram areas.

Other

• Eco-Driving: Eco-safe driving reduces fuel consumption, improves road safety.
• Tyre Pressure: Checking tyre pressure is important and critical for safe driving.
• Vehicle Maintenance: Check oil levels, fluid levels, tyres.

Police

• Police Requests: They may request documents like insurance and driving licences.
• Accident Reporting: Report accidents involving damage within 24 hours.
• Officer Instructions: Follow officer's instructions appropriately, if necessary pull up on the left if indicated.

Traffic Lights/Pedestrian Crossings

• Red Lights: Stop behind the white line.
• Green Lights: Do not proceed if blocked.
• Amber/Red/Green combination lights: Follow the order of colours that are presented when dealing with pedestrian crossings,
• Pelican crossings: Give way to pedestrians already crossing.
• Puffin crossings: Proceed when the crossing is clear.
• Cyclists: Can only ride at Toucan crossings

Other Important Considerations

• Car Passengers: Passengers (under 14 unless otherwise stated) must wear seatbelts, unless medically exempt.
• Child Restraints: The driver is responsible to ensure appropriate child seatbelts are used on the vehicle.
• Caravana/Towing: no one should ride in a caravan that is being towed.
• Horns: Refrain from using your horn between the hours of 11:30pm and 7am in built-up areas.
• Clear Crossings: Clear crossing if appropriate signs are displayed.

Driving safety tips covering MSM routine, parked car hazards, and emergency stop procedures. It also includes night parking rules, reversing guidelines, use of mirrors, and safe maneuvering practices. It emphasises personal health considerations like medication and fatigue.