Author: Wanting Ge

Driving in the dark can be difficult even for the most experienced drivers and is more dangerous than travelling in daylight conditions. Data collected by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) shows that 40% of collisions occur during the hours of darkness. Moreover, falling asleep accounts for 20% of serious motorway and monotonous road accidents in Great Britain.

To help you and others stay safe, we have put together a guide packed full of advice and tips on driving in the dark.

Headlight usage
You need to make sure that your headlights are turned on at least one hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise. This will help you be clearly seen by other road users. Switch to high beams on poorly lit roads but keep an eye out for oncoming traffic and dim your lights appropriately to avoid dazzling approaching drivers. Use fog lights only when it is foggy, and visibility is less than 100 meters. Also, remember to clean, check, and change your headlights on time to ensure they are working properly.

Avoid staring at oncoming vehicles
Remember never look directly into other cars’ headlights, the glare can temporarily impair your vision and make you dazzled. If you cannot see anything because of the glare, make sue you slow down instead of stopping immediately.

Keep your windows clean
Smeary and dirty windows may reduce visibility and increase glare. You need to make sure your windows are clean, and the screen washer fluid is filled up. In wintertime, ensure frost and ice has been completely cleared before you get on the road.

Be more aware
It is difficult to spot pedestrians, children, and other road users in the darkness as in most cases they are not wearing reflective clothing. As a result, you need to pay more attention to the road when you are driving through build-up areas. Animals are more likely to cross the road at night, so be sure to look out for animal road signs too.

Take regular breaks
If you have to drive long journeys in the dark, remember to take regular breaks. As Brake’s research indicates, 4% of fatal crashes in Britain are caused by tiredness with a further 13% of drivers admitting to falling asleep behind the wheel.

Practice more
If you are learning how to drive, it is a great idea for you to take evening lessons to practice driving in the dark. If you passed your test in the summer, you can also take a Pass plus course to enhance your night driving skills and confidence.

Insight’s L & P plate system will also help you to be visible to other road users. Purchase yours via our shop here.

We hope that by following our advice and tips you now feel better prepared to drive safely in the dark.

Sources:

RAC

Carleasing

Nationwide Hire

Follow Insight’s handy and detailed theory test tips to ensure you are prepared to pass your test the first time.

In this blog we will give you some ideas about what a theory test is and what you need to do to ensure you pass the theory test on the first try.

What is a theory test?
The theory test is the first test you need to pass before you can move on to the practical test. It includes two parts:
• Multiple-choice questions
• Hazard perception
The pass mark for the multiple-choice section is 43 out of 50, and 44 out of 75 for the hazard perception test.

• Multiple-choice questions
The multiple-choice questions are based on three books:
• The Highway Code
• Know your traffic signs
• Driving- the essential skills

These books can be bought from book shops and online websites. You need to make sure you study these and know the rules and skills you will be tested on. The test will begin with instructions and a few practise examples for you to familiarise yourself with it. During the test, you will have 57 minutes to complete 50 multiple-choice questions. You can go back and change your answers at any time, so it would be beneficial to check your answers before submitting them. Don’t forget to ‘flag’ any questions that you are unsure about. It will be easier for you to find it later.

• Hazard perception
This is a video test for you to spot hazards on the road. There are three kinds of hazard in these clips: potential, developing and actual. Once you realize the potential hazard has become a developing or actual hazard, you need to click the mouse as soon as you can. You can score up to five points for each hazard, and the sooner you click the mouse, the more points you get. You will watch 14 video clips. Before the real test start, you will have one practice clip. A 10-second countdown will be given for each clip.

Revision
Carefully read the books mentioned above and familiarise yourself with all the information. Remember practice makes perfect, so ensure you leave plenty of time to do this before you take your test. As the questions are randomly selected, there are about 1000 possible questions. Hence, this is why you need to make sure you can answer all of them without any problem. Practise answering under pressure by asking friends and family to quiz you. There are plenty of theory test practice resources and mock tests available online for free as well, so take full advantage by using them. You can also download the Official DVSA Theory Test Kit app on your phone.

It will cost around £23 to book a theory test. Make sure you do not forget to bring your provisional licence on the day, or you will not ablet to take the test. If you are already taking driving lessons, you can stand out to order road users with Insight’s unique and revolutionary sign system available to buy via our shop. Our innovative product comes with both L and P stickers so it can be used whilst you are learning to drive and once you have passed your driving test too.

By following our useful theory test tips, you should hopefully now feel better prepared to pass your theory test the first time. Insight wishes you the best of luck!

Source:

Marmalade

Ingenie

Carbuyer

GOV.UK

Follow Insight’s top tips to avoid the most common driving test mistakes that learners make to ensure you pass first time.

Every year the DVSA publish the top ten mistakes learner drivers make that cause them to fail their test.

The top ten mistakes causing learners to fail their driving test, according to the DVSA are:

1.            Not making effective observations at junctions

2.            Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction

3.            Not having proper control of the steering

4.            Incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions

5.            Not moving off safely

6.            Not responding appropriately to traffic lights

7.            Poor positioning on the road during normal driving

8.            Not responding correctly to traffic signs

9.            Not having control of the vehicle when moving off

10.         Not keeping control of the vehicle during reverse parking

You will fail your driving test by making any one of these faults. Thus, it is better for you to remember them so you can avoid making them. In the following, we have outlined a few examples of what you should do during your driving test.

Make effective observations at junctions

BBefore you turn right or left at a junction, make sure you conduct effective observations. Look either left or right before you enter the next road. Remember to judge the speed of the approaching vehicle to prevent a situation that would force the other vehicle to slow down significantly or your examiner using the dual controls to brake your car.

Using mirrors correctly

Make sure you check the mirrors before signalling, changing direction or lane and slow down or speed up. There may be bike riders, motorcyclists, or another vehicle in your blind spots, so always check carefully before you move.

Steering control

In 2019, more than 1 in 10 reported accidents in Great Britain were caused by the driver making a poor turn or manoeuvre. It is important for you to avoid repeatedly not steering enough or steering late.

Pay attention to traffic lights and traffic signs

Remember to pay full attention to traffic lights and check if junctions are clear enough before you proceed. Do not stop beyond the first white line in the area for cyclists and driving in a bus lane. You will also need to react quickly according to speed limit signs. Do not ignore a ‘stop’ and ‘no entry sign’.

Pedestrian crossing

As the highway code describes: ‘we must give way to anyone still crossing after the signal for vehicles has changed to green’, hence you need to make sure to give enough time for a pedestrian to cross the road instead of trying to squeeze past them in the middle of the road. 

Keep a safe distance

You need to ensure you leave at least 2 seconds behind other vehicles as it will give you enough time to brake and steer smoothly when you change lanes. Remember to check for space behind and reduce speed before you do this.

Learner drivers

Remember practices makes perfect, so ensure you make plenty of time to go through these common mistakes with your driving instructor before your test.

Also, you can stay more visible on the road whilst learning to drive with Insight’s unique learner plates which come with both L and P sitckers. Available to buy from our shop.

After reading the above tips, Insight hopes you the very best luck of passing your driving test the first time.

Source:

Advance driving school

Adrianflux Learner Diver Hub

GOV.UK

Rac

Follow Insight’s practical driving test tips to ensure you are prepared to pass your driving test the first time.

Before your practical driving test day:

• Remember to check that you have the following documentation safely stored and easily accessible. You will need it on the day!:
  • Provisional License
  • Theory Test Pass Certificate

• You are permitted to have one person above the age of 16 accompany you during your driving test. It is recommended that your driving instructor accompany you in this case. The instructor will not only help you to feel more comfortable, but they can also give you more constructive feedback if you fail.
  • Remember to confirm with your driving instructor where and when to meet.
  • Visit the test centre and familiarise yourself with it before your test.
  • Use your instructor’s car during the test or remember to place a legal L plate if you choose to drive your own vehicle.

On your driving test day:

Your examiner will first check your eyesight and license. They will explain how the test will work. They will ask you a ‘tell me’ question and explain that they will ask the ‘show me’ question later during the test. You are allowed to ask the examiner to repeat if you cannot hear the instruction clearly.

During the test, always remember to check your mirrors, keep calm, and don’t assume you have failed if you make mistakes. You are allowed to make 15 minors mistakes, so remaining in control is the most important thing.

• Manoeuvre

You will be asked to complete a manoeuvre during the test. This can be the pull up on the right or forward bay park or reverse bay park or parallel park. Take your time to finish the manoeuvre safely. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions, your examiner will be willing to help you.

• Emergency stop

The examiner will ask you to pull over on the side of the road and explain that they will ask you to do an emergency stop next. Once you go back on the road, try your best to drive normally. When the examiner asks you to stop, you need to stop as quickly as possible whilst staying in full control. Remember to check Both Blind Spots before pulling away to avoid serious faults that can make you fail the entire exam.

• Independent driving

This will last for about 20 minutes. You will be asked to drive independently and follow directions from a sat nav provided by the examiner. Remember it is not a geography test, you will not be being considered as making mistakes if you go the wrong direction. The point is to show you can drive independently and safely.

For those still learning to drive:

If you are still a learner driver, you can stand out to other road users whilst on the road with Insight’s unique and revolutionary sign system available to buy via our shop here. Our innovative product comes with both L and P stickers so it can be used whilst you are learning to drive and once you have passed your test too.

By following our useful practical driving test tips, you should hopefully now feel better prepared to pass your driving test the first time. Good luck and remember to stay calm!

Sources:

Advance driving school

Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency

RAC

AA

Carwow

Winter car maintenance is extremely important as driving in cold weather can cause unpredictable problems. Be prepared with our useful tips.

Here are a few useful things you should check to prepare your car before you go out on the road this winter.

1. Lights

In wintertime, the sun sets earlier and it turns dark outside quickly, so it is crucial to ensure your car’s lights are in good condition and functioning efficiently. Repair or replace them before winter if one of your lights is not working, foggy or turning yellow.

2. Deforester and Heater

Due to the high temperature gap between the inside and outside of your car, the windows will often be fogging or icy in winter. As a result, it is important to check that the defroster and heater are working properly to provide you with clear version.

3. Screen wash

It’s easy to get dirt on the car with the help of snow and ice. Refill the screen wash bottle in your car and keep your wipers in good condition to maintain your visibility.

4. Brakes

Rattling, squealing, shaking brake pedals and a noticeable increase in stopping distance all indicate that your car’s braking system needs to be inspected and repaired. As the stopping distance will increase in winter, it is important to make sure your car’s braking system is working properly.

5. Cooling system

Antifreeze will prevent water in your car engine from freezing in winter. Your thermometer will fall below zero if the amount of antifreeze in your car is not correct, so make sure you top up enough antifreeze. Don’t forget to test or have a look at your handbook to see what kind of antifreeze your car requires. Besides, check the rest of the cooling system to ensure that there are no leaks or visible damage to the radiator, coolant hose, and water pump.

6. Tyres

If you drive on rural or uneven roads, you could consider buying snow chains/socks or winter tyres. This will help to enhance steering and braking. It is worth noting that the legal limit of the tread depth of tyres is 1.6mm, so be sure to check this before setting off on your journey. Also, tyre pressure may change under the influence of decreasing air temperature and seasons altering; hence it is important to check your tyres.

7. Car services

Get a professional winter check if you don’t have time to do all the above. If your car is due a service, it is the perfect time to go.

Learner drivers

If you are a learner driver, ensure you stand out to other road users this winter with Insight’s unique and revolutionary sign system sold with both L and P stickers via our shop here.

We hope our useful winter car maintenance tips will help you get your car road ready.

Source:

Autocar

Autotrader

Ageas

Auto express

With Winter just around the corner, it is vital to familiarise yourself about the importance of driving safely in the snow. Snow can be beautiful but dangerous at the same time. Whether you are a new or experienced driver, you should take extra care when driving in the snow or ice. Be prepared and stay safe by following Insight’s winter driving advice below.

1. Before driving in the snow
It is always good to remember to leave extra time for planning and preparing before you start your journey. Check up-to-date weather reports and traffic news to help you know more about the road conditions on your route. De-ice your windscreen, clear your windows, mirrors, and the roof of your car, and check your tyres before setting off. Consider purchasing winter tyres if you live in a place that is known to get snow. Also, check your fuel levels and ensure at you have at least a quarter of a tank. If you are driving an electric car, make sure the battery is fully charged as it may run out quickly in winter conditions. You can use a trickle-charger as a backup.

2. Driving safely in the snow
Use second gear to pull away and gently lift the clutch to avoid wheel skidding. Maintain a higher gear when speeding up for better control. Make sure that you are not driving too fast or slow. It is important to avoid movements such as harsh braking or steering. On a snowy and icy day, you need to allow up to ten times the stopping distance. Turn your dipped headlights on when driving in heavy snow and your fog lights if visibility drops below 100m. When going uphill, set off in a higher gear to reduce wheel rotations. Go down through the gears and allow the engine to slow the car while going downhill.

3. If you get stuck on the road
Turn your wheels from side to side or use a shovel to push and clear the snow out of the way if you get stuck. Remember if you keep moving while the wheels spin it will only make the situation worse. Drive from forward to backward, and then back again. Slightly step on the accelerator until the vehicle starts. If you cannot move, stay in the car to keep warm, but do not run the engine for more than 10-15 minutes in each hour.

4. Long distance driving
It would be helpful to take the following winter driving kit with you for long distance trips: chargers, sunglasses (to reduce glare), medicine, first aid kit, breakdown emergency contact, sleeping bag, blanket, shovel, torch, and water bottle.
Remember to also wear warm winter clothes such as a coat, hat, scarf, gloves, and waterproof footwear.

For learner drivers
If you are still a learner driver, ensure you stand out to other road users whilst on the road with Insight’s unique and revolutionary sign system sold with both L and P stickers via our shop here.

We hope our winter driving advice helps you stay safe whilst driving in the snow this Winter.

Sources:

BBC

RAC

AA

Sunday Times Driving