Winter is upon us and we’ve already had our first snow of the season, which brought the usual traffic jams and avoidable accidents. Snow and icy conditions make many of our learner drivers nervous – understandable when many may never have encountered wintry road conditions behind the wheel before.

With this in mind, here are a few winter driving tips which you may find useful.

Prepare for the journey
It’s important to prepare yourself and your car before you set off in wintry conditions. You should already have checked that your tyres have adequate tread before the start of the winter. If not, check now that they have at least the minimum 1.6mm.

Other pre-driving checks include:
· Make sure windscreen wipers are clean and the screen wash is topped up
· De-ice windows
· Pack an emergency kit
· Wear dry, comfortable footwear to avoid slipping off the pedals
· Allow extra time for the journey

When driving
Moving off in first gear may prevent the wheels from gripping the road so move off in second gear to reduce wheel slip. Accelerate gently, use low revs and change up to a higher gear as soon as it’s safe to do so. Drive slower than usual; especially if the road is icy.

Maintain safe stopping distances between you and the vehicle in front, leaving a larger gap than usual. Use the correct speed for the gear you’re in and avoid sudden or harsh acceleration.
If you need to drive up a steep hill, leave plenty of room in front of you so you can maintain a steady speed without changing gear unnecessarily. When going downhill use a low gear – second if the descent is steep – and again maintain a steady speed to avoid erratic braking.

Stay alert for any hazards such as black ice under bridges and in shaded areas, being wary of any pedestrians who may be walking on the road. If driving in heavy snow use dipped headlights.

Points to remember:
· Always leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front
· Avoid harsh acceleration, braking or steering

What to do if you get into a skid
First of all, don’t panic. Don’t hit the brakes or the accelerator. You have to steer gently into the skid. That means if the car is sliding to the right, steer gently to the right. If it is sliding to the left, steer gently to the left.

What to do when approaching a bend
When you know a bend is coming up, take your foot off the accelerator and brake gently before you get to the bend itself. The idea is to drive round the bend as smoothly as possible without the wheels losing grip so don’t panic. Approach in a lower gear, keep your hands relaxed on the steering wheel and accelerate gently out of the bend.

Drive safe this winter
With careful preparation and calm, smooth driving you will find you can safely navigate wintry roads. But should you need a confidence booster, why not book a Pass Plus course with us to improve your winter driving technique?

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.