Our Driving Tips

Driving Tips & Advice for Safe Driving - Castletown School of Motoring

Here at Castletown School of Motoring we really care about training people to be better drivers. Here are our top driving tips to help you become a safer and more responsible driver.

1. Road Positions

  • Stay left on straights & bends
  • Follow correct course at intersections
  • Stay a safe distance from vehicles in front – remember it takes 1 metre to stop per MPH, double that in wet conditions (2 second rule)
  • Don’t swing wide when turning left
  • Don’t cut the corner when turning right

2. Overtaking & Passing

  • If in doubt, don’t overtake
  • Leave one door length from stationary vehicles
  • Move in and out gradually
  • Overtaking always takes longer than you think especially if you are overtaking a long vehicle

3. Anticipation & Observation

  • Remember to check blind-spots
  • Before overtaking/changing lane, check that it is safe to do so
  • Take proper observation when turning at junctions
  • Use good judgement, but don’t be overcautious
  • Use mirrors frequently, “15 second”, but don’t overdo it
  • Always try to anticipate the actions of other road users

4. Speed & Progress

  • Maintain reasonable forward progress
  • Keep to the speed limits
  • When it is safe to do so, proceed, don’t wait too long
  • Adjust speed to suit road and traffic conditions

5. Traffic Control

  • Comply with traffic lights
  • Obey road signs and markings
  • Obey pedestrians and zebra crossings

6. Vehicle controls

  • Do not coast
  • Use your gears correctly, I.e. for turning & speed
  • Apply brake smoothly
  • Use the handbrake when necessary
  • Steer the vehicle with control
  • Never take both hands off the wheel when the vehicle is moving

7. Parking

  • Do not obstruct entrances
  • Park within 18” (45cm) from the kerb
  • Do not park opposite a car on a narrow road
  • Lock it or lose it. Do not leave anything on display in your car that could cause someone to break into it.

8. Roundabouts

  • Give the correct signal
  • Yield the right of way
  • Follow the correct curve
  • When using the inside lane to turn right, be aware of the traffic in the lane to your left

9. Reverse

  • Keep reasonably close to the kerb
  • Check blind-spot as you are turning around (4 to 5 times)
  • Stop for any approaching vehicles

10. Turnabout

  • Keep on the lookout for other road users, particularly …(pedestrians about to cross behind you, vehicle approaching from any direction…)
  • Drive slowly, steer quickly
  • Do not bump kerb
  • Take proper observation

11. Safe driving

  • Driving in Europe,on the spot fines are imposed for most minor motoring offences.  Make sure you know the regulations for each country you intend visiting and obey them
  • Prevention is better and indeed cheaper than cure. Stick to service schedules. If you notice any faults, consult your garage.
  • Remember,the perfect driver doesn’t exist so whatever stage you have reached as a driver, always aim for a higher standard.