First time driving test pass in Northampton uk with zero faults!

Well done to Hollie on passing her driving test first time on the manual car in Northampton UK with 0 faults!

Make a New year resolution to improve your driving.

New post on The Safe Driver

Is it time to make a fresh start with your driving? by safedriver As written for The Insurance Hunters. Please visit their blog. Mmm, fresh! I love the smell of fresh baked foods, fresh air and freshly cut grass. There’s something to be said about starting new. Many people make New Year resolutions at the beginning of the calendar year with the hope of making changes that will be positive in their life. With that being said, I’d thought I would offer some suggestions for drivers who would like to start new skills during this calendar year. The first suggestion I would like to offer is driving attitude. Many drivers are less patient than they could be while driving. Instead of getting annoyed with other road users, take a deep breath and ask yourself what is it about their actions that goes against what you’re doing. Does it really affect you as much as you think it does? After having this change of attitude over a month or so, you’ll be a much calmer driver, making better driving decisions because you’ll be thinking clearer. Another new tip to offer is to become more of a proactive driver. Some people are chronic late comers. They leave things to the last moment. If this sounds like you, try these tips. Once you know how long your commute will be, leave early enough to give yourself an extra 10 or 15 minutes for travel. If you get to work 10 or 15 minutes early, you’ll have time to grab a coffee and relax before starting your work day. If you need that extra 10 or 15 minutes during your commute, you won’t be tempted to rush and make poor driving choices because you’ll be late. Something that many drivers could benefit from making a new start is cleanliness. I’m not talking personal hygiene, I’m talking the vehicle. Securing loose items from inside the vehicle means less distractions. Items stuffed under the driver’s seat can become dislodged and can roll under the brake pedal. That may prohibit the driver from braking firmly in an emergency. Loose items such as wrappers and paper can blow around on a windy day in the spring and summer with the windows down, so put those away before driving so they don’t take your attention away from the driving task. The last suggestion for a fresh start this year I would have to say should be slowing down sooner when approaching red lights or stopped traffic. Early slowing has many benefits for drivers. It saves fuels, saves brake wear and gives you the feeling that you’re going someplace. That feeling will often help you feeling positive as a driver and become less stressed on your daily commute. These are just a few suggestions to get you started off in the New Year. Will you use them? Will you keep them longer than a week? I hope so, but don’t limit your fresh start to just these few. Make the entire year your year of safe driving. safedriver | February 4, 2015 at 7:51 pm | Categories: angry driving, cleaning a car, collision free driving, cooperative driving, defensive driving, driver responsibility, driver stress, driver training,driving anxiety, driving articles, driving attitude, driving basics, driving manners, driving skills, fuel economy, how to drive, learning to drive, looking well ahead, parking manners, practising driving skills, responsible driving, safe driving, smooth driving | URL: http://wp.me/pbmCu-EU Comment    See all comments    Like

First time driving test pass in Northampton UK.

Well Done! Linda.
A first time pass is not an easy task!

Thank you for the card.
You are most welcome.

Great advice from the Safe Driver. Driving comes first.

New post on The Safe Driver

Is using a cell phone while driving an addiction? by safedriver It’s been a few years since our governments have made using a cell phone without a hands-free device illegal while driving. Sitting at a red light in traffic and using your phone is also illegal. Even though it’s been illegal for some time and widely publicized, it still happens every day. The numbers of tickets given out to drivers from police have risen each year even though public awareness of the risks associated to cell phone use while driving is huge. However, I think I have an explanation for this. Our society has gotten so busy over the past few decades that we want things done immediately. Think about it. Drive-thru’s are available not just at fast food restaurants, but at the bank, some beer stores and I’ve even seen them at a store if you want to buy cigarettes. Let’s face it, we’re in a hurry and we have a problem. We’re far more impatient than we used to be. Having a cell phone means we can immediately act upon our thoughts. The key word here is immediately. When it comes to our cell phones, we can’t seem to control the urge to touch it, look at it or play with it. For many people, our lives greatly depend upon the social networks. It seems like we can’t go a minute without checking messages, tweeting or checking someone’s status. After all, how can we expect to go on with our day without knowing what are friends are doing at that exact moment? It almost seems like an addiction doesn’t it? I know that sounds harsh, but a standard dictionary definition of addiction is “The fact or condition of being addicted to or having constant need to a particular substance, thing, or activity.” Doesn’t that sound familiar? Isn’t that what millions of people have when it comes to their cell phones – an addiction? Some may call it a habit, but whether you call it an addiction or a habit, you need to have control over it. This addiction to the cell phone, like any other addiction, controls your brain. Our brains have a sense of reward when we accomplish something. It’s a matter of prioritising the reward though. Is there more mental satisfaction to complete a text message conversation or is there more mental satisfaction to drive the vehicle safely? To many people, driving takes a “backseat”, so to speak, to finding out what’s happening in cyber land. Like any other addiction, you need to admit you have a problem. Acknowledging that you have a problem is the first step to controlling it. Once you do acknowledge there is a problem, you can begin the healing process of finding a solution to this problem. You’ll more likely listen to your friends and family once you’ve made this realization. Since I consider myself a friend of yours, I’d like to offer a few suggestions. Before you get to your vehicle turn your phone off. If you don’t hear it, you may not be tempted to use it. Put your phone out of your reach. I mean really out of your reach. If you put the phone in your coat pocket and place your coat just behind your seat, you may be tempted to reach for it while driving. Secure the phone in a backpack, briefcase or other location that would make it relatively impossible to get to it while driving. Give it to a passenger to use while you’re driving. Let them text, tweet or post messages for you. Addressing the addiction or habit will take time, a commitment from you and support from family and friends. Trust me, it will be worth it. Take it from a friend. Another related post is HERE safedriver | January 13, 2015 at 7:41 pm | Categories: cell phone law, cell phones,communicating, distracted driving, driver responsibility, driver risk taking, driving articles, driving attitude, driving habits, how to drive, impaired driving, learning to drive, safe driving | URL:http://wp.me/pbmCu-EHGreat