Summer 2023 went by in a flash, and it has to be said, the weather was distinctly underwhelming. Now, the winter months are fast approaching. The weather forecasters are undecided right now on whether we’re going to get mild temperatures or properly cold winter temperatures.

Whatever the forecast, we always advise students who are learning to drive about the importance of being prepared for anything the weather throws at us. This includes making sure your car is fully winter-ready.

First things first

It’s a good idea to get your battery checked. Summer driving puts less strain on car batteries as you generally don’t have lights, radio or heating on etc, but winter driving draws more power from the battery. Make an appointment with your local garage or Halfords for a full battery check. Replace it if it’s old or failing to avoid getting caught out with a flat battery this winter.

Next, get your car serviced if this hasn’t been done for a while. Check the manual for recommended service intervals – and don’t ignore any red warning lights which appear on the dashboard. If any do appear, find out what they mean and get it checked as soon as possible.

Check oil and fluid levels

If you’re unsure how much oil and brake fluid your car needs, or how to check and fill up if needed, consult your car’s user manual or book it into a local garage. Too little oil can result in engine damage and too little brake fluid can affect the car’s braking capacity – the last thing you need on icy roads!

Check brakes and tyres

Worn tyres and brakes are lethal on slippery roads. Get your brakes fully checked and serviced before the winter. Check the depth of your tyre treads – the law says this should be a minimum of 1.6mm. However, because you may need greater stopping distances on winter roads, the experts recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm.

Top up antifreeze

Antifreeze, or coolant, is essential to stop the water in the radiator from freezing and damaging the radiator.

Check wiper blades, screen wash levels and lights

A clear windscreen is essential, and a legal requirement, so if wiper blades are worn, get them replaced. Dirty blades can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Keep your screen wash bottle regularly topped up through the winter to keep the windscreen clear at all times.

Lights, including number plate lights should be clean at all times.

Finally, be prepared for any breakdown or lengthy traffic hold-ups by keeping an emergency kit in your car. This could include:

• Warm clothing or blanket and practical footwear for if you need to get out of the car.
• Torch and batteries.
• Snow shovel.
• Snacks and drinks for long waits.
• Mobile phone – fully charged!
• De-icer and windscreen scraper.
• Warning triangle.

The key to safe winter driving is good preparation. Making sure your car is fully prepared means the wintry conditions won’t catch you out. 

And finally, if you feel you need a helping hand with your winter driving skills, the team here at Beverly Slater are here to help boost your confidence.

If you’ve been driving for some time now, you’ll understand the role it plays in daily life. Whether you’re commuting to work, planning a road trip, or picking up friends and family, having clear vision is absolutely essential when it comes to driving. If you’ve recently noticed your vision becoming blurred, you may have astigmatism, which poses a challenge when it comes to driving.

In this blog post, we will explore the signs of astigmatism, how it affects your driving, and what you can do to ensure you’re driving safely and comfortably. 

What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism is a common refractive error that causes blurry or distorted vision. Astigmatism is usually a minor problem, but it can affect your driving. The main symptoms of astigmatism are: blurred vision, eye strain, and headaches.

How it affects your driving

Astigmatism can affect your night driving in particular, as it can cause halos and glare from vehicle or street lights. This is made worse at night in low-light conditions. If you find your vision becoming distorted when driving at night, it’s important to visit your local eye care professional for corrective treatment.

Another way astigmatism can affect your driving is that you may struggle to see crucial information such as road signs. This can put you and other road users in danger. 

Additionally, astigmatism can also cause eye strain, which results in a lot of discomfort when driving. This is why it’s important to have astigmatism corrected, as it can affect your ability to drive safely and comfortably. 

How astigmatism is treated

If you suspect you have astigmatism, it’s important to seek treatment to keep yourself and others safe on the road. Below are a few of the ways astigmatism is managed. 

Corrective lenses: This is the most common treatment for astigmatism. Corrective lenses help you see clearly again, ensuring your driving is safe.

Anti-glare coatings: Anti-glare lens coatings can be very helpful for those driving with astigmatism. These coatings help to reduce glare and halos.

Regular eye exams: Visiting your local optician regularly is important. Your eye care provider will check to see if your prescription needs to be updated or not.

Tips for struggling with night driving 

Whether you have astigmatism or not, night driving can be a challenge for some drivers. If you find driving at night challenging, our team at Beverly Slater can help. We offer a pass plus course, which is designed to boost your confidence in specific areas, such as night driving.
Please contact our team for more information.

Parallel parking is no easy feat, it’s one of the most dreaded manoeuvres for new drivers. If you’ve found yourself dreading the day you will have to learn to parallel park, you’re not alone. Many people experience anxiety at the thought of parallel parking on a busy road, as it’s an intense experience, especially for a new or learner driver.

In this blog post, we’ll explore what parallel parking is, the importance of it, and why so many people struggle learning and mastering this skill. By the end of this blog, you’ll hopefully be more confident and ready to conquer this tricky driving challenge. 

What exactly is parallel parking

You may have heard the term used frequently, but if you don’t know exactly what parallel parking means then keep reading.

Parallel parking involves parking your car parallel to the road, typically in line with other parked cars. This means you need to slot your car into a space that’s just a little longer than your car, between two already parked vehicles. It’s a skill that requires precision, spatial awareness, and technique.

The importance of parallel parking 

Parallel parking is a practical and necessary skill to have, especially if you live or work in a busy urban area. Crowded streets often have limited parking spaces, and being able to parallel park can save you time and stress. Many driving tests include parallel parking as a requirement, highlighting its importance for safe and competent driving.

Why do people struggle with parallel parking?

One of the primary reasons people struggle with parallel parking is a lack of practice. While driving schools like us cover the basics, this manoeuvre requires repeated practice to master. New drivers may avoid parallel parking out of fear, which only adds to the problem.

Another reason is because parallel parking demands a high level of spatial awareness. New drivers often find it challenging to gauge the distance between their car and the surrounding vehicles accurately. 

Additionally, the presence of other drivers waiting for you to park can add immense pressure, leading to anxiety and mistakes when it comes to attempting parallel park. This stress can make even the most experienced drivers nervous.
If you’re a new driver or learning how to drive, and you find yourself struggling with parallel parking, we can help. Our team offers a pass plus course that can help you conquer your fear of parallel parking.

Driving is an essential part of many people’s lives, offering freedom and convenience day to day. However, having clear vision while on the road is crucial for safety. Many drivers unknowingly put themselves and others at risk by not addressing changes in their eyesight.

In this blog post, we will be outlining the key signs that indicate that you may need glasses for driving. It’s important to pay attention to these signs and take the necessary steps to ensure you have clear vision when driving, for your own safety and others around you. 

The key signs to look out for 

Below are some of the main indicators that you need to visit your local optician to see if you need glasses for driving.

Blurred vision 

One of the most clear signs that you might need glasses for driving is experiencing blurred vision. This can occur when trying to focus on distant objects, such as road signs or traffic lights. If you find yourself squinting frequently to make out words on road signs while driving, it might be time to schedule an eye exam with your eye care provider.

Blurred vision can result from several factors, including myopia (nearsightedness) or astigmatism. These conditions can worsen over time, leading to more significant challenges behind the wheel. These conditions can be effectively managed with corrective lenses, to ensure you can see clearly. It’s important to not ignore this common symptom.

Eye fatigue/strain 

Another indication that you may need glasses for driving is if you are experiencing frequent eye strain or fatigue. Long hours on the road, particularly during night driving, can put a lot of extra stress on your eyes. If you start feeling tired or your eyes become sore after a long drive, this could suggest that your eyes are working harder than they should.

Eye strain can also turn into headaches, burning sensations, or a need to rub your eyes regularly. These symptoms suggest that your eyes are struggling to focus, and this could be because of uncorrected refractive errors. Visiting your optician is necessary to get the eye care you may need.

Difficulty driving at night 

Driving at night presents a unique set of challenges, even for those with perfectly clear vision. However, if you find night driving particularly difficult, it could be an indicator that glasses are needed. Common difficulties include glare from oncoming headlights,reduced ability to see objects in low light, and seeing halos.

These symptoms might suggest a condition known as night blindness or a more general decline in vision quality. Astigmatism is also a common condition that causes difficulty driving at night.

For many drivers, wearing glasses specifically designed to address the difficulties you experience when it comes to night driving can drastically improve visibility and reduce glare. Making it easier and safer for you to drive at night. If you notice a marked difference in your comfort and safety levels between day and night driving, it’s time to explore corrective options.

If you need further support when it comes to night driving, contact our team today. You may benefit from a pass plus course that we offer here at Beverly Slater. A pass plus course involves receiving specialised help in certain areas of driving, for example, night driving.