Driving Advice

To be able to legally drive, there are certain requirements all motorists must be able to reach, but general forward observation depends on so much more than a person’s hearing or sight. In fact, forward observation is when a person’s sight, hearing, and smell are all simultaneously utilised to obtain as much information possible about the surrounding areas. It is simple logic that if a person is unaware of something, they will not be able to react to it, so being a keen observer is going to allow drivers to have ample time to digest information and act accordingly. In turn, this means that drivers are going to have more control over their surroundings.

Too often, drivers are unaware of what is going on all around them, and will depend on quick glances to make hasty decisions. This can result in many terrible outcomes, so it is important to build a solid foundation on effective observation. There is only so much a person can take in within a glance, so constantly scanning the environment is pivotal for creating a mental picture of the landscape surrounding the vehicle. Skimming the environment surrounding a vehicle for hazards and risks is one of the best ways drivers can stay on top of their safety. This is ultimately going to reduce the risk of having to brake unexpectedly or having to come to a complete stop. Checking and rechecking distances, middle ground, foreground, sides, and the rear on the perimeters of the vehicle should become a constant in the daily driving practises of all drivers. Bad habits can form if the driver is only concentrating on a single space, because they are blindly looking forward and missing problems that could possibly be rising around them.

One of the most important parts of our vision when driving is a person’s peripheral vision. This is the line of sight that is surrounding the central area of our more defined image. While what we see may not be as defined as what is directly in front of us, we are able to recognise movement from these areas which can be essential on the roadway to help make judgements. Zone vision is what a person sees when they are looking forward and from side to side. When approaching a junction, the driver’s zone vision will gradually improve the closer they move forward, allowing them to make the judgement call to know if it is safe to proceed. When approaching junctions, it is important to recognise that certain things are difficult to spot. This means it is essential to pay attention for pedestrians that cross at junctions, cyclists that can be out of the line of sight, and motor cyclists that can be approaching much faster than vehicle drivers. Know that if another road user isn’t in the zone of vision of the driver, then the driver isn’t in their zone of vision.

Another key component to forward observation is speed. When drivers are going fast, they must look further ahead. Drivers must remember that as they accelerate their speed, they must adjust their sight further than where it naturally settles. At heightened speeds, drivers can only take in so much of the foreground details the faster they go. When they slow down, their ability to take in more of their foreground increases, so it is important to understand this when adjusting speeds. Slower speeds in congested areas aren’t only essential for safety, but also because drivers can only take in certain amounts of information in places like town centres. This means that going slower in spots like this allows the driver’s brain to compute more information, in turn making everyone more safe.

If you have further questions, look them up in the Highway Code or contact us and we’ll be happy to answer your questions!

Clutch control refers to when the driver confidently holding the clutch pedal down when steering at a slower speed, with the driver only gaining clutch control with practise. One of the biggest issues with learner drivers is that their training doesn’t necessarily guarantee that they will have all the appropriate opportunities to properly learn clutch control, lending itself to the fact that they may decide to drive automatic cars because it can be seen as the easier alternative. Furthermore, for drivers that do drive a manual vehicle, if a driver resorts to slipping the clutch in order to compensate for being in too high of a gear at a lower speed, this is a bad habit that drivers should always avoid. One of the best ways for drivers to avoid bad habits is to have a complete understanding of what the term ‘biting point’ is referring to. When driving instructors refer to the biting point, they are talking about when the two clutch plates are coming in contact (i.e. biting) which in turn, causes the load that is placed on the engine to increase. Learning to sense the biting point is a pivotal part of drivers learning clutch control. Even more, it also ensures that the car is being driven properly because the clutch plates are able to fully engage in a smooth and effective manner. When the plates are brought together too fast, the engine can stall and/or the vehicle can jump forward. Drivers must learn to practise and judge when the biting point of the clutch plates are engaged, with one of the surest ways being when the front of the car lifts up and the sensation of the engine speed diminishes.

Every car is different which means the feeling of every clutch is different, but there are certain exercises drivers can partake in that will help indicate the biting point of the clutch. Locate a particular area that is void of distractions and heavy traffic. Begin by slowly lifting the clutch in order to gauge how the car lifts and the engine is manipulated. Once the driver feels comfortable in finding the biting point, they are able to practise clutch control of that vehicle by going forward and stopping, and only slightly raising the clutch pedal. This will make the car move very slowly, which is a key part for this exercise to work properly. It is best to practise this in a level area, avoiding hills going up or down. This practise will let drivers test the clutch of any car and evaluate the best ways to manoeuvre that particular clutch for that vehicle. There are quite a few hills in Brentwood so if you’re going to take your driving lessons there, you’ll get plenty of practice using your clutch on a hill!

Car parks are overcrowded accidents waiting to happen. Too often, drivers run into all types of misfortunes in car parks when they are reversing out of their parking bay. That is why it is so important to teach the benefits of reversing into parking spots so that the driver is able to pull forward. One of the advantages is that it is much safer to reverse into a space that the driver is able to see into, rather than reversing into an open area that is impossible for the driver to see completely out of. Cars are also easier to control when they are going forward than when they are going backwards. Furthermore, reversing close to a wall or another vehicle will make it much harder for thieves to gain access to the boot, and if there is ever an instance that compromises the safety of the driver, they are able to get in a pull away much more quickly.

Knowing all of the positives of reversing into a parking bay, one has to wonder why most drivers pull in straight? First is because it is ‘easier’ to pull in straight, but secondly, most people aren’t aware of how to properly reverse into such a narrow space. This is a manoeuvre that was only recently included into the driving test, so it makes sense why so many drivers aren’t well versed in the proper way to reverse into a parking spot. This is especially apparent for smaller car parks where drivers don’t believe they have enough space to complete the reverse parking technique.

Reversing into the space should be approached by analysing the surroundings around the vehicle. Drivers should first grasp how busy the car park is so as not to inconvenience other motorists. Once finding a space that could allow the car to fit, it is more important to make sure there will be enough room to adjust the car to backing into the space properly. Reversing into a bay from the left is beneficial because the driver is able to have a clear line of vision over their left shoulder. When picking this option, this also means that the driver will require less space too, so it is the overall safer method.

When reversing from the left, this skill set will depend on many of the strategies the driver has already mastered when reversing around a corner, so there is less risk or stress involved for the driver. Since the driver will drive past the actual parking space, it is important that they signal their intentions so other motorists aren’t too confused. Going slowly will give the driver the chance to position correctly. They should be striving to be about one metre from the end of the bay and one car length past the space. From here, drivers must be sure to look all around them for other cars or pedestrians that could pose a possible risk, starting with the right shoulder and checking every point until the left shoulder. Reverse in a straight line until the back of the car has just reached the bay before the desired spot, and then double check the surroundings before turning the vehicle. Start to slowly manoeuvrer the car by steering the wheel quickly to the right. It is essential that the car is moving while steering this fast so there is no dry steering during this procedure. The car will enter the desired space cleanly, and as the vehicle is on the straighter path, turn the wheels to the opposite direction to fully make sure the car is in the bay straight. Before exiting the car, realign the steering wheel to the straight position for moving forward properly.

Another more common way to reverse the car is by looking through the rear window. Most people find this option easier, but it is only possible if there is enough room in the car park to pull forward far enough in front of the targeted bay. Drivers must have enough room to steer the car in front of the desired space to where the entire back of the car is in route to be reversed properly. Depending on the available area, this can be difficult. After positioning the car, make sure to double check surroundings before placing the car in reverse safely and steadily. As the car begins to reverse into the space, it is essential for the driver to remember that the act of shunting to fix the car’s position between the lines has to be done before the car enters the bay. If this isn’t done prior, then the driver runs the risk of hitting the cars on either side of their vehicle.

Drivers must also remember that it is completely acceptable to move their mirrors before beginning these procedures. It is more important to not become to reliant on mirrors, because this can create bad habits of motorists not conducting overall observational checks all around the vehicle. This is so vital because not everything is going to be visible in the mirrors of the car! Getting too comfortable during any part of driving is when accidents tend to happen, drivers that get in the habit of reversing into car bays challenge themselves to stay on their toes.

Again, bay reverse parking is one of the main tactics to learn as a driver for many reasons. Safety while driving is a huge responsibility for all parties, and car parks are a haven for possible disasters. With small children walking about with their parents, distracted pedestrians, thefts, and the general unknown, it is always best to take as many precautions as possible for such uncertain moments in life. Reversing into car bays have finally made their way onto the driving test because of the many advantages this procedure poses, and it is really important for drivers to be aware of both common options when reversing into their spaces. Creating and maintaining the safest environment possible in car parks is essential for everyone, and this is just one good practise and habit all motorists should include in their daily ventures.