Drive Safely, It’s In Your Hands

When learning to drive people have to pass their theory and practical driving test. The tests highlight a person's understanding of road safety and ability to drive in a safe and correct manner.

Once the 'L’ plates have been ripped up and a full driving licence granted it us up to us individuals on the road to adhere to driving laws and take responsibility for driving safe.

As a driver it is one's own responsibility to drive safely, as the safety of ourselves along with passengers, other road users and pedestrians can be affected by our actions.

Car safety maintenance for safe driving

I’ve been a driver for over 15 years. From when I got my provisional licence my grand-dad taught me basic car maintenance. I even learnt how to do a service on my classic-style Mexican VW Beetle such as doing oil and filter change. He always said it was vitally important to ensure your car was well maintained and safe to drive. His lessons and wise words have stayed with me ever since.

Now that I am a parent maintaining my car so that it is safe and sound and in good working condition for safe travelling is more important than ever.

With the nicer spring weather starting to make an appearance and summer ahead of us the roads are getting busier than ever. People are on their travels; whether it is for a great day out or to pop to the beach or on staycations around the UK. As we all hit the road for adventures having a car in good working condition can make the difference in keeping safe on the road.

Keeping safe on the road – tyre safety.

As our family is growing with the impending arrival of our second child Jelly Bean due in July we recently decided to change our car, switching from a very compact car to a slightly larger car better suited for a growing family – a Ford Focus.

Whilst our new (second hand) car is nothing fancy having learnt a lot about car safety over my 13 years of being a driver – even learning how to do a basic service myself - I am passionate about making sure cars are safe and roadworthy.

The importance of making sure our car is roadworthy and safe is even more imperative now that I am a parent, not only because our children travel in the car but also because I don’t want to put myself or Lee at extra risk as I want us to be alive and healthy for many years to come for our children.

Whilst there are many factors that affect the safety and roadworthiness of a car, one car safety factor that is often overlooked is the importance of tyres.

Put simply tyres are essential for safe driving.

Tyres are the only connection your car has to the road.

They have 4 vital functions that affect safe driving –

* Provide grip for braking and acceleration

* Maintain steering and directional control

* Act as a shock absorber for vibrations from the road

* Support the weight of the car