New driver… what would you tell them?
Discussion
Get her a copy of "Roadcraft", and for XMAS buy her membership of ROSPA so she can take her advanced driving test, which to stay a member you have to retake every 3 years or so to remain a member, it also makes you keep your standards up
In the short term get her to do her "Pass Plus" course, which may help with insurance costs, If she lives in Hampshire I could help with that , and some other councils as well as Hants County council sometimes contribute some £50 or so for the cost of it.
Many youngsters have low powered cars, load up with 2/3/4 friends are just not skilled enough to handle the extra weight/lack of power when loaded and pay for it with predictable outcomes. Tell her to keep her phone in the glove box and not be tempted to even glance at it, better still turn it off, most youngsters don't appear to be able to not have it within reach....ever.... just like me and my SLR back in the 80's
In the short term get her to do her "Pass Plus" course, which may help with insurance costs, If she lives in Hampshire I could help with that , and some other councils as well as Hants County council sometimes contribute some £50 or so for the cost of it.
Many youngsters have low powered cars, load up with 2/3/4 friends are just not skilled enough to handle the extra weight/lack of power when loaded and pay for it with predictable outcomes. Tell her to keep her phone in the glove box and not be tempted to even glance at it, better still turn it off, most youngsters don't appear to be able to not have it within reach....ever.... just like me and my SLR back in the 80's
jaf65 said:
After 30 years of driving I spent a day with Reg Local, on here and Youtube, taught me about limit points. It has been a revelation.
Couple that with being able to stop, on your side of the road, in the distance you can see
Beat me to it, I'm astonished that the concept of the limit point doesn't appear to be routinely taught. Absolutely essential knowledge on bendy roads. Couple that with being able to stop, on your side of the road, in the distance you can see
MBVitoria said:
jaf65 said:
After 30 years of driving I spent a day with Reg Local, on here and Youtube, taught me about limit points. It has been a revelation.
Couple that with being able to stop, on your side of the road, in the distance you can see
Beat me to it, I'm astonished that the concept of the limit point doesn't appear to be routinely taught. Absolutely essential knowledge on bendy roads. Couple that with being able to stop, on your side of the road, in the distance you can see
1. Drive to the conditions. If it is raining/foggy slow down. Respect the conditions and be mindful on what it does to your car (i.e. less traction, harder to see).
2. Keep left unless overtaking.
3. Don't be egg'ed on by others. Someone up your chuff? Let them overtake. You both get what you want, you behind the clown and them up ahead heading for the nearest ditch. Leave your ego at home (if you have one).
4. Drive defensively. Expect others to make mistakes (or even yourself), keep your space between others to allow you to respond.
5. Have courtesy.
6. Look after your car and it will look after you. This includes servicing but extends to driver checks - check your tyres, wiper blades. Be upto date with when stuff is due such as insurance, mot. De fog the window before driving. Drive with mechanical sympathy, warm the engine up by gentle driving. Be easy on your clutch and brakes. Understand your cars limits and drive accordingly.
2. Keep left unless overtaking.
3. Don't be egg'ed on by others. Someone up your chuff? Let them overtake. You both get what you want, you behind the clown and them up ahead heading for the nearest ditch. Leave your ego at home (if you have one).
4. Drive defensively. Expect others to make mistakes (or even yourself), keep your space between others to allow you to respond.
5. Have courtesy.
6. Look after your car and it will look after you. This includes servicing but extends to driver checks - check your tyres, wiper blades. Be upto date with when stuff is due such as insurance, mot. De fog the window before driving. Drive with mechanical sympathy, warm the engine up by gentle driving. Be easy on your clutch and brakes. Understand your cars limits and drive accordingly.
VeeReihenmotor6 said:
1. Drive to the conditions. If it is raining/foggy slow down. Respect the conditions and be mindful on what it does to your car (i.e. less traction, harder to see).
2. Keep left unless overtaking.
3. Don't be egg'ed on by others. Someone up your chuff? Let them overtake. You both get what you want, you behind the clown and them up ahead heading for the nearest ditch. Leave your ego at home (if you have one).
4. Drive defensively. Expect others to make mistakes (or even yourself), keep your space between others to allow you to respond.
5. Have courtesy.
6. Look after your car and it will look after you. This includes servicing but extends to driver checks - check your tyres, wiper blades. Be upto date with when stuff is due such as insurance, mot. De fog the window before driving. Drive with mechanical sympathy, warm the engine up by gentle driving. Be easy on your clutch and brakes. Understand your cars limits and drive accordingly.
Could not agree more.2. Keep left unless overtaking.
3. Don't be egg'ed on by others. Someone up your chuff? Let them overtake. You both get what you want, you behind the clown and them up ahead heading for the nearest ditch. Leave your ego at home (if you have one).
4. Drive defensively. Expect others to make mistakes (or even yourself), keep your space between others to allow you to respond.
5. Have courtesy.
6. Look after your car and it will look after you. This includes servicing but extends to driver checks - check your tyres, wiper blades. Be upto date with when stuff is due such as insurance, mot. De fog the window before driving. Drive with mechanical sympathy, warm the engine up by gentle driving. Be easy on your clutch and brakes. Understand your cars limits and drive accordingly.
I'll also add, learn to 'feel' what is actually happening at the road surface, especially to be aware of the vehicle feeling lighter whch could mean the limits of adhesion is getting close.
Discover in safety how slippery warm winter afternoons can be when the salt has laid for a few days and starts to attract the damp as evening approaches.
Clean windows mirrors and lights, and learn how to use dipped/main beams correctly, i drive a lot in the dark and its amazing the number of people who only drive on dipped beams, get those mains on whenever possible, its what they are there for.
Don't be alongside trucks and large vehicles longer than necessary, blind spots do not actually exist on modern trucks if the mirrors are set up correctly (sadly few are) but that doesn't mean the person behind the truck's wheel is competent and alert.
Pica-Pica said:
I would say a year or two before an advanced course.
Doesn't it depend on the individual? I would have suggested the first year could be ideal for starting advanced training. While it might take more experience before they are test-ready, the training counts more than the test, and the first year or so is a perfect time for many.Everyone else is an idiot.
Put the bloody phone down.
Stop tailgating.
Look beyond 3m from your front bumper. There’s a whole world out there after your no claims bonus.
Roundabouts are round, the clue is in the name.
Plan ahead, a situation is almost invariably to be seen coming long before you are confronted by it.
This includes drunk pedestrians which may need you to stop and empty roundabouts which do not require you to stop.
Indecision is often as dangerous as the wrong decision.
Put the bloody phone down.
Stop tailgating.
Look beyond 3m from your front bumper. There’s a whole world out there after your no claims bonus.
Roundabouts are round, the clue is in the name.
Plan ahead, a situation is almost invariably to be seen coming long before you are confronted by it.
This includes drunk pedestrians which may need you to stop and empty roundabouts which do not require you to stop.
Indecision is often as dangerous as the wrong decision.
fatjon said:
Put the bloody phone down.
I was going to suggest keeping your phone in your bag or pocket. As this is the thing I see most often when out on the road. Just look at the driver behind you next time you stop at a junction. They will almost certainly be staring at their lap, and you can almost guarantee they are not admiring their genitals 
_Hoppers said:
MBVitoria said:
jaf65 said:
After 30 years of driving I spent a day with Reg Local, on here and Youtube, taught me about limit points. It has been a revelation.
Couple that with being able to stop, on your side of the road, in the distance you can see
Beat me to it, I'm astonished that the concept of the limit point doesn't appear to be routinely taught. Absolutely essential knowledge on bendy roads. Couple that with being able to stop, on your side of the road, in the distance you can see
My pet hate is following another vehicle which suddenly slows, applies the brakes and indicates as it turns into a side road.
My advice would be to indicate well in advance of the junction in order that any vehicles following will have advance warning of your intention to brake and turn.
My advice would be to indicate well in advance of the junction in order that any vehicles following will have advance warning of your intention to brake and turn.
LimmerickLad said:
Think of every other driver on the road as an idiot 
Exactly this with the added proviso of never assuming what somebody else may do or not do e.g. joining a road with a car approaching from the right with its indicator on...dont assume that they will turn left allowing you to proceed safely, they may not intend to turn and your assumption could be your undoing if you enter the road thinking all would be clear.Gassing Station | Advanced Driving | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff