Are you sitting comfortably?

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Cocpit Drill

Cockpit Drill

As a passenger you are probably used to jumping into a car snapping on your seat belt and just letting it all happen around you. As the driver you have a lot to do and think about. In particular you must be able to control your car, and that means being able to reach the controls, see the instruments and being able to see what is happening behind you by having your mirrors correctly adjusted.

To ensure that you are seated correctly, follow the Cockpit Drill, a fairly simple routine:
Download the visual Cockpit Drill guide

DOORS
As the driver it is your responsibility to make sure that all the doors, boot and bonnet are shut. Modern cars tend to have some form of indication on the dashboard to tell you if a door is left open. You will also usually find the the interior light will remain on should a door be left open. Look into your door mirrors, if a door is not shut correctly you can usually see it.

SEAT
You must be able to reach the three pedals on the floor. The pedal on the left is the clutch and you must be able to push it all the way to the floor without pulling yourself out of your seat. Move the seat backwards or forwards and adjust the back of the seat (the part that reclines) so that you can reach the pedals. In some cars you will be able to change the seat height which may also help, but bear in mind that you must also be able to see out of the windscreen. Don’t lower the seat to the point that your view is obscured by the steering wheel and don’t raise the seat so high that your head is touching the roof.

Whilst adjusting the seat, ensure that your head restraint is correctly adjusted. The ridged part of the restraint should be level with the top of your ears or eyes and it should sit close to your head. (the restraint will help prevent serious neck injuries in the event of an accident, but only if it is correctly adjusted).

STEERING
In modern cars it may be possible to move the steering wheel up and down and possibly in and out. Ensure that you are sitting with your back against the seat and look at the steering wheel as if it is a clock face, you should hold the steering wheel at the 10 to 2 position – left hand at 10 o’clock and right hand at 2 o’clock. Your arms should be slightly bent at the elbows.

You should be able to reach the top of the steering wheel, the 12 o’clock point, with both hands, without stretching the arms. A very slight bend at the elbows is ideal.

If possible you also want to be able to bring your hands down to the 6 o’clock point, this ensures that your hands can travel from the top to the bottom of the wheel with ease.

SEATBELT
Hopefully this is something you are used to putting on, if not get into the habit now.

MIRRORS
You have three mirrors, the centre mirror, the left door mirror and the right door mirror. You will use them a lot!

The centre mirror should be adjusted so that you can clearly see down the road behind you. If the mirror is set too low you will not see far enough down the road, if set too high you could miss things immediately behind you. Try to set it so that you can see a little of the car roof lining and a little of the parcel shelve or rear wiper if there is one.

Any bias to one side should be to the right as this is where most vehicles will pass you, but look for the front head restraints and try to get them evenly set in the mirror. When you think you have it set make sure you are sitting correctly in your seat (back against the seat) look straight ahead and then turn your eyes to look into the centre mirror, make sure it is set correctly.

Your door mirrors should be set so that you can see a little of your car, you need to be able to relate what you see to the position of your car. The horizon should be roughly central in the mirror assuming that you are on a flat surface.

On the subject of mirrors note that your centre mirror is flat glass and gives an accurate picture of what is behind you. The door mirrors are convex glass and give the impression that things are smaller and further away from you than they really are. The centre mirror is your primary mirror which is always checked first and the door mirrors add to the overall picture, helping you to make a good assessment of what is going on behind.

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Are you allowed to drive?

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DRIVING LICENCE
You must be 17 years old before you can drive a car and you must hold a valid Provisional Driving Licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland. However, you can apply for your driving licence up to 3 months before your 17th birthday.

To apply for your licence you need to complete a form D1 which you can get from the DVLA or a Post Office. You will have to prove your identity, provide a passport style photo and there is a fee, which is currently £50.

To prove your identity you will need either a passport or your birth certificate and National Insurance number. If your don’t have these documents you may be able to use others, get full information online.

The easiest way to apply for your licence is to go online and provide passport details, the DVLA will use your passport photo for your licence, use this link. Alternatively you can send your documents to the DVLA or you can apply at a post office.

(Please note that different rules apply for people who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance at a higher rate, you may be able to start driving at the age of 16, but check it out with the DVLA.)

EYESIGHT
You must be able to see adequately, this might sound obvious but individuals are not always aware of their deteriorating eyesight. I was 21 when I had to start using glasses, someone told me there was a house for sale down the road, I said ‘how do you know.’ They replied ‘because there’s a rather large FOR SALE sign outside!’ I couldn’t see it. When I got my glasses I couldn’t believe just how much I had been missing.

The rules for driving require you to be able to read a number plate from a distance of:

  • 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate (e.g. AA 55 ABC)
  • 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate (e.g. Y 456 ABC)

You will be asked to read a number plate at the start of your test and your driving instructor should ask you to do the same when you first meet.

MEDICAL CONDITIONS
Certain medical conditions must be notified to the DVLA, failure to do so can lead to prosecution. If you have a medical condition check here to see if you must tell the DVLA.

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Turning onto a dual carriageway

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What is the national speed limit on a dual carriageway? Answer 70mph. That is the same speed as on a motorway, and yet we have many dangerous turns on dual carriageways. Only a few months ago I found a dual carriageway I wanted to use was closed due to a fatal accident. The accident happened when someone turning onto the dual carriageway hit another vehicle travelling at speed.

Today I had a client driving on a dual carriageway for the first time, she did well, but was presented with a potentially difficult situation when another car turned onto the carriageway just in front of us. The other car was turning right onto the dual carriageway, it had crossed to the central reservation and then the driver decided to pull out just in front of us. I guess it was the driver’s intention to turn into the right hand lane and let us overtake on the left, but this was an extremely dangerous manoeuvre.

The other car was of course travelling very slowly and we were doing approximately 60mph. I could not be sure that the other car would stay in the right hand lane and of course it is incorrect to overtake on the left (highway code 163), we had no choice but to brake hard and remain behind the other vehicle, fortunately there was no one behind us.

If the driver of the other car had been on a driving test he/she would undoubtedly fail for performing such a dangerous manoeuvre. It is disappointing that a driver who has passed a test and probably has considerable experience, believes it acceptable to drive in this manner, it is no wonder that so many accidents happen daily on our roads. If you are a learner driver you will do well to remember that turning onto a dual carriageway is dangerous and you must take care, in particular you should make sure that is is clear for you to pull out onto the left hand lane.

Basic principals:

  • Drive on the left unless overtaking or turning right
  • Do NOT pull out into the path of traffic on the carriageway
  • Do NOT assume that traffic already on the carriageway can or will move around you.
  • Wait for a safe gap

Highway code rules 137 and 173

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Only a fool …

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What is the stopping distance at 30mph? 2 car lengths, 4 car lengths, 6 car lengths or 8 car lengths? (answer below)

Do you know that most drivers tend to drive too close to the vehicle in front? This is a cause of considerable apprehension for learner drivers who worry about the vehicle behind being too close. In the last couple of days several of my students have made driving errors because they were worrying so much about the vehicle behind, that they did not concentrate enough on what they were doing. In one case we ended up stalling in the middle of a roundabout because we went out in 3rd gear instead of 1st gear and it was all due to worry over the person behind.

There are two lessons for learners here.

First, make sure you concentrate on what you need to be doing. Of course you must check your mirrors and you need to give due consideration to the drivers behind, but you must use the information gained from your mirrors to adjust your driving, not to forget your driving. If you believe that the vehicle behind is too close don’t brake harshly. Apply the brake gently at first, this brings on the brake lights and warns people behind that you are slowing, gradually increase your braking to slow your car. Just before you stop, ease off your brake a little to reduce your braking. This avoids the sudden jolt as you stop. You must of course ensure that you do not cross the line of a junction until you can see it is clear to proceed.

If the person behind does not react to your braking and hits your car the insurance companies will usually regard it as their fault as they did not leave sufficient space, but if you brake late and suddenly they may have a case to argue that they did not expect such sudden braking.

This leads on to the second lesson, make sure you keep sufficient distance from the vehicle in front. As I said earlier most people drive too close, this results in learners believing they can drive close too. You should keep at least two seconds from the vehicle in front (this is a good guide as it works at all speeds). Timing two seconds can be subjective so use a phrase like “Only a fool breaks the two second rule” it takes roughly two seconds to say this phrase. So as the vehicle in front passes a stationary object (e.g. a road sign) start saying the phrase, if you get to the same road sign before finishing the phrase, you are too close to the vehicle in front. Try it when you are a passenger in a vehicle, the chances are you will often find you are too close especially when there is a lot of traffic around.

The highway says ‘The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance.’ and ‘allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying faster-moving traffic…’

Highway code rule 126

Stopping distance at 30mph is approx 6 car lengths which is about 23 meters. Next time you are sitting in a queue of traffic count six cars in front and look at just how long that distance is, you may be surprised!

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Watch the cyclist

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Travelling through a residential area today a young male cyclist, wearing rather large headphones, was cycling on the pavement; not a designated cycle lane. Of course we were travelling faster than the cyclist and soon came close to him, just as we got close he reached a point where the pavement ended and he suddenly turned onto the road. There was no attempt by the cyclist to look before moving onto the road and due to the headphones he was unlikely to have heard us approaching. If we had been just a few metres closer the cyclist would have turn into the side of our car, as it was we had time to slow down and fortunately my student was paying attention.

This kind of situation is typical of what you might find in a hazard perception video clip when preparing for or actually doing your theory test. It goes to show that the hazards presented in the videos for the test really do happen, as a driver you must watch out for these hazards and be prepared to slow down. On a practical test examiners would be looking for your awareness of a potential problem and expect you to plan for the possibility of the cyclist moving out into the road, you are expected to to allow for vulnerable road users like cyclists.

The highway code RULE 163 says:
‘… give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car’

Basic principals:

  • Look out for cyclist
  • Don’t assume that a cyclist on the pavement will remain there
  • When passing them leave enough room for them to wobble or move out into the road
  • Don’t try to pass them if oncoming traffic prevent you from moving out to leave room

Highway code rules 211-213 and 163

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Pass the theory first time

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If you are struggling preparing for your theory test then take heart, I have just heard that a 28 year old man has failed the test 92 times at a cost of nearly £3000 – not one of my students!

Talking to my students about the theory test it does seem that most people who do not pass a test have not prepared themselves adequately. You should be taking practice tests before booking the real thing and you should be passing them all. If, when practising, you pass some and fail some the chances are you will not pass the actual test.

The current cost of a theory test is £31 but there are now additional travelling costs to get to Reading (nearest test centre) and for those of you who have jobs you may also have to take time off work. The cost of not passing is quite high, so the need to be well prepared is important.

I recommend that you use an online learning resource like Theory Test Pro to prepare for your test (my students get free access). You can also obtain DVD’s and books, but remember that the DSA no longer publish the questions and so they can make changes at any time. Using an online learning resource ensures that it will be up to date.

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Stay in lane

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I had to drive to Chineham this morning and that meant driving half a mile on a dual carriageway. It is amazing how much bad driving can be seen in such a short distance, and it all came down to drivers not staying in the correct lane.

First my progress was blocked by a driver who got into the wrong lane on the Black Dam roundabout and exited onto the dual carriageway, but he obviously didn’t want to go on the dual carriageway as he tried to stop and turn back onto the roundabout. Do not attempt U turns on a dual carriageway, it’s dangerous! Obvious really, but when you miss your turn it is so easy to panic and try to turn back. Eventually the driver continued up the dual carriageway but only after holding up a lot of traffic.

On my return from Chineham I used the same stretch of dual carriageway but this time travelling in the opposite direction. I came down a slip road to join the dual carriageway, followed by a small black car, and I stayed in the left lane (the correct position) the car behind me moved to the right hand lane on joining the dual carriageway. Why? Well I am not sure, the driver made no attempt to overtake me, but stayed in the right hand lane all the way down to the Black Dam roundabout (about half a mile). That car blocked the right hand lane preventing other drivers from overtaking. Undertaking (that is passing on the left) is very dangerous and should not be attempted, but drivers that stay on the right unnecessarily will encourage the dangerous practice of undertaking.

When we got closer to the roundabout, about 500 yards, I moved to the right lane in order to turn right at the roundabout. The black car followed me round to the right at the roundabout. Presumably this is why the driver moved to the right on joining the dual carriageway, but it was far too early to move to the right and it was dangerous.

To top it all, as I approached the Black Dam roundabout another car, just in front of me but in the left lane, suddenly moved into my lane without any signal and obviously without any regard to my presence, I suspect the driver didn’t check the mirrors and had no idea I was there.

What we have here is three examples of poor and dangerous driving within a short stretch of road. Each example highlights the need to ensure that you get into the correct lane and stay in it even if it is not taking you where you want to go, you can always turn around in a safe place and go back.

If you are a Learner Driver you would fail a test if you did any of the above. You also need to understand that you will see bad examples of driving, don’t copy it, but anticipate poor behaviour from other drivers and be prepared to slow down and keep out of their way.

Follow these basic rules to remain safe:

  • Use the left lane unless overtaking or turning right
  • Don’t move into right lane too early, about 300-500 yards from the roundabout/turn will normally be OK
  • If you must change lanes check your mirrors to make sure it is safe and signal to tell others what you are doing
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Roundabout Town

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Basingstoke is full of roundabouts, of course if you live here you don’t need me to tell you that. It actually makes for a very good training area when learning to drive, but many learners fear them and even experienced drivers get confused. Hopefully the following explanation will help.

We have mini roundabouts with a white blob in the center that large vehicles may need to drive over (cars should go around it) – what I call normal roundabouts with a built up feature in the center that you must drive around, and then there are laned roundabouts – those with lanes marked on them usually with a broken white line.

Here is the basic theory of dealing with roundabouts:

  • Approach on the left if you are turning left or going straight ahead, approach on the right only if you are turning right.
  • Give way to vehicles on the roundabout coming from your right.
  • Check your mirrors and signal left (MSM) at the exit before the one you want to leave at.

You should apply these basic principles at mini roundabouts as well as normal roundabouts. For roundabouts with lanes you must ensure that you enter the correct lane on approach and remain in the correct lane as you proceed around the roundabout. It is therefore important to look for road signs on approach, take note of which exit you need for your destination and position your vehicle appropriately. If you find yourself in the wrong lane stay in that lane and follow it off the roundabout, you can always turn around and come back. It is dangerous to change lanes on a roundabout.

Often you will find a road sign providing a small diagram of the roundabout. Think of the circle of that diagram as a clock face with the various exits protruding at times like 3, 9, 12 etc.

  • Any exit shown at 12 o’clock is considered to be straight ahead.
  • Any exit to the left of the 12 ie: 11,10,9,8,7 will be classed as a left turn (note: you can have more than one left turn, only signal on approach if leaving at the first exit).
  • Any exit to the right of 12 ie: 1,2,3,4,5 will be a right turn.

Sometimes on approach you will see a sign showing two or more lanes. You must look for your destination on that sign and go into the lane specified for your destination, this may or may not follow the clock sequence above. Remember to check your mirrors and signal right before moving to a right hand lane. Check your mirrors and signal left if you are going to take the first exit and remember to check your mirrors before slowing down regardless of where you are going to go.

Sometimes (usually on local routes) you will not see a sign at all. In these cases you will hopefully have some directions provided before arriving at the roundabout. If not remember to stay on the left (safest place) and take the first exit, stop, find out where you need to go and if necessary go back to the roundabout. Alternatively approach on the right with a right hand signal on, and go all around the roundabout until you can determine the correct exit (this may work but it is not the safest approach) don’t get dizzy!

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