Tag: driving

Nine million drivers don’t know when their next MOT is due

Millions of drivers are at risk of being fined because they don’t know when their MOT is due, amid confusion caused by the MOT extension scheme introduced during the pandemic.

Some nine million* UK drivers (28% of all drivers) don’t know when they need to get their vehicle tested to ensure it meets required legal standards, according to a survey of 1,292 drivers by Total UK.

The majority of drivers also don’t know what the penalties are for failing to get their car’s MOT done on time. Some 53% of drivers believe the fine for not getting a MOT when it is due is three points on their driving licence, whereas they may receive a fixed penalty fee of £1,000 and risk the vehicle being impounded.

Drivers over the age of 55 are the most impacted, with one-third (33%) admitting they don’t know when their current certificate expires. Despite the lack of awareness of their MOT due dates among drivers, one in four say they worry about their MOT in case it shows there is something wrong with their car.

Many drivers are also failing to insure their vehicle properly, with four in ten (39%) believing their car doesn’t need to be insured if it is sitting in the drive or garage and 17% believing they only need insurance if they are driving it.

John Ryder, general manager of Total Lubricants’ UK Blending Plant, said: “The past year has certainly been one of great uncertainty and it seems this has extended to people not knowing when their MOT is due.

“Since the beginning of the first lockdown, people have been driving a lot less due to increased home working and less commuting so their cars and maintenance requirements, including getting their MOT done, have not been front of mind.

“The confusion stems from the MOT extension scheme which was introduced in March last year as lockdown restrictions limited people’s movements to all but essential travel. However, it is important that drivers do not miss their MOT to ensure their car insurance remains valid, that vehicles are roadworthy and meet the necessary standards.”

Drivers in Bristol were least likely to know when their MOT is due with four out of ten admitting they do not know when it is up for renewal. Drivers in Newcastle are most on top of their annual vehicle health check, with nine out of ten drivers knowing when their next MOT is due.

Almost one in five drivers (17%) admit to having driven their car knowing there was something wrong with it.

The MOT extension scheme advised drivers with a test due after March 30, 2020 that they would get an extra six months automatically added to their existing MOT certificate, meaning their tests would not be due until September 30, 2020 at the earliest.

The MOT extension scheme has now ended and despite the latest lockdown, Total UK is advising drivers to check when their MOT is due and get an appointment booked in order to ensure their current test certificate does not expire.

Once a MOT test certificate has expired, if the vehicle is more than three years old, the only journey a driver is permitted to make is to the garage for a pre-booked MOT appointment.

To view the research and for further information, visit:  

https://www.total.co.uk/news/9-million-drivers-dont-know-when-MOT-due

Overwhelming support for twelve-month minimum learning period for new drivers

New research conducted by IAM RoadSmart, the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, has found overwhelming support for a 12-month minimum learning period for new drivers before they are allowed to take the practical driving test.

In its in-depth survey of more than 2,000 motorists, the charity found that more than two-thirds (68 per cent) strongly backed the suggestion that all new drivers, regardless of age, should undergo at least a year’s training and supervised practice before being allowed to take their practical test.

And while the Government committed to investigating some form of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) in 2019, including the possibility of a 12-month minimum learning period as a key component, they have still not offered any firm conclusions.

IAM RoadSmart is therefore calling for urgent action on this issue. The charity, citing the evidence presented to the recent House of Commons Transport Committee Inquiry into Young and Novice Drivers along with the strong public support demonstrated in this latest study, says that a move to Graduated Driver Licensing is a crucial step forward in improved road safety.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy & Research, said: “The Government must listen to the concerns of the vast majority of motorists who clearly understand the long-term safety benefits that a 12-month minimum learning period for all new drivers would bring.

“A lifetime of safe driving starts by gaining the right experience behind the wheel. Even the Government’s own statistics show that one in five new drivers crash within their first year on the road, so a longer learning period can only help make our roads safer for all road users.”

Meanwhile, the study found that around two-thirds (65 per cent) of people also support more encouragement for post-test training, believing that it would be beneficial for drivers to improve their skills through advanced driver training and testing. This rises to 71 per cent among drivers aged 17 to 49.

Neil added: “Lessons learnt at the start of your driving career can pay dividends and if new drivers had longer to experience all road types, in all weathers and at all times of the day and night before their test, the benefits can only increase. Experienced license holders need to update their observation, anticipation and planning skills too, to ensure they remain safe throughout their driving and riding careers.”

89 dashcam videos of driving offences sent to police every day

‘Always drive as if you are being watched by the police’ – RAC says dashcams are a ‘game changer’ in enforcement

As many as 89 dashcam video recordings of alleged motoring offences were submitted to police forces every day in 2019, according to data analysed by the RAC.

A total of 32,370 pieces of footage were received by 24 police forces that accept video evidence of driving offences from members of the public, double the number recorded in 2018 (15,159). Data from the RAC’s freedom of information request also shows that a quarter of these (25% – 8,148) went on to result in prosecutions.

Police forces, according to the RAC’s study, are making it increasingly easy for drivers and other road users to submit camera footage of unsuspecting alleged rule-breakers, with all of Britain’s 44 forces now accepting dashcam video, and the vast majority online via their websites.

The greatest number of potentially prosecutable offences in 2019 were – perhaps unsurprisingly – submitted to The Met Police, a total of 8,082. Surrey had the second highest tally with 3,542, followed by West Midlands – 3,242 in third spot and Gwent – 3,037 – in fourth. Greater Manchester received the fifth highest number of dashcam videos with 2,940.

The footage submitted to police related to the following offences: dangerous driving, careless driving/driving without due care and attention, driving too close to cyclists, contravening red traffic lights, contravening double white lines, contravening ‘no entry’ signs, illegal use of a handheld mobile phone and evidence of vehicles apparently without MOTs.

RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “Even before the decline in the number of roads police enforcing traffic offences, law-abiding drivers were often frustrated that there was never an officer there to deal with infringements they witnessed.

“The advent of dashcams, phones with cameras and helmet cameras have been a game changer as drivers can now easily submit footage to almost every police force.

“As so many drivers and cyclists are now using dashcams and helmet cameras every road user needs to be very conscious that any of their actions that aren’t in accordance with the law could end up with the police. Some will inevitably find this out the hard way while others will hopefully become increasingly mindful of it.

“In terms of how effective dashcams are from a law enforcement point of view our freedom of information request shows that one-in-four footage submissions lead to a successful prosecution.

“There are no doubt numerous reasons why this figure isn’t higher, but we suspect it has to do with the recorded evidence not being as conclusive as it needs to be. This may be due to the nature of the offence, with certain offences such as double white line, red traffic light and ‘no entry’ contraventions being easier to determine than illegal handheld mobile phone use and careless driving.

“It might also be the case that footage filmed on mobile phones is not as comprehensive for officers to work with as video evidence from dashcams and helmet cams which film live footage continuously when the vehicle is in motion. Those choosing to submit mobile phone video – whether as passengers or pedestrians – may well have missed the worst of the alleged offence as they reached to capture it.

“With more and more people getting dashcams the message for 2021 has to be: always drive as if you’re being watched by the police. If more drivers who are inclined to break the laws of the road were to think this way, the safer the roads would be for all of us.”

The RAC stocks a range of dashcams at varying price points at: 

www.racshop.co.uk/dash-cams.

Better training is essential to make ADAS a safety benefit and not a potential hazard

Vehicle manufacturers, dealerships, DVSA (Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency) and driving instructors should include a comprehensive lesson for motorists on how to use advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) so they are a road safety benefit and not a potential hazard, says IAM RoadSmart.

The urgent call has been made by the UK’s largest independent road safety charity following the publication of a highly influential report by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) entitled ‘How to maximize the road safety benefits of ADAS’.

Some of the most widely known ADAS – many of which will become mandatory in new vehicles from July 2022 – include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking systems, lane keeping assist and driver monitoring for drowsiness and distraction recognition.

However, awareness and understanding of these systems is generally low among drivers. The FIA’s report finds that most users do not receive any training when first encountering ADAS but have to rely on information from the user manual, and most alarmingly by applying a ‘trial-and-error’ method.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy & Research, said: “Advanced driver assistance systems have the potential to improve road safety, but only if used correctly.

“If used incorrectly, not least without a full understanding of what the systems are and are not capable of, they can have the opposite effect, with potentially worrying consequences for all road users.

“IAM RoadSmart therefore believes the time has now come to include a comprehensive lesson from every car dealer supplying vehicles and further, for more about ADAS to be included in the UK driving test. This is crucial as these tools begin to be supplied as standard on an increasing number of vehicles.”

Meanwhile, further recommendations from the FIA report, which IAM RoadSmart endorses, include a comprehensive explanation to end-users of the systems’ limitations, more consistently accurate functioning of ADAS in practice and the introduction of fail-safe communications to alert users if any of the systems fail, helping to mitigate any potential road safety risk.

Neil added: “There needs to be a much higher emphasis on educating drivers in the best use of technology. Vehicle manufacturers and car dealerships are key, ensuring that when a customer drives off the forecourt they understand and use the various safety systems correctly.

“Until this becomes the norm, IAM RoadSmart is exploring the potential for video tutorials that will plug the current gap.” (See below)

Weather warning: snow and ice

Police Scotland is advising drivers that the Met Office has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for snow and ice covering a number of areas across Scotland today (Thursday, 31 December).

The local authority areas affected will be Highland, Na h-Eileanan Siar, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian, Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire.

The Met Office warning lasts until 2pm on Thursday, 31 December. Conditions for travel may be hazardous and extra caution should be exercised.

What to expect:

Snow and ice may bring some disruption late in to Thursday morning or early afternoon.

Northerly winds will bring showers of rain, sleet and snow across the north of Northern Ireland as well as northern, western and south of Scotland.

Snow accumulations will mostly be confined to ground above 100m away from coasts, but some temporary slushy deposits are possible to low levels at times. 1-3cm is likely to accumulate above 100m, and as much as 5-10cm above 250m, this mostly across high ground of Scotland. Some accumulations of 1-3 cm are likely, again mainly over higher ground, but 5 cm or more is possible over parts of southern Scotland.

What to do:

If you are travelling you should ensure that you and your vehicle are adequately prepared for the conditions, making sure you have sufficient fuel and supplies, such as warm clothing, food & water in the event of being delayed for several hours.

Make sure that there is sufficient tread on the tyres fitted to your vehicle, ensure tyres are correctly inflated and that the screen wash is filled.

Charge your mobile phone and have the ability to charge it further if necessary.

Plan your route as well as alternatives to your planned route.

Drive to the conditions, leaving sufficient distance between you and the vehicle in front to allow you to use smooth braking, steering and acceleration to minimise skid risk.

Listen to media broadcasts especially local radio and Traffic Scotland Radio or visit www.trafficscotland.org.

For public transport information visit www.travelinescotland.

Follow @policescotland and @trafficscotland on Twitter for regular and up to date travel information.

The dos and don’ts of de-icing your vehicle

British drivers can prevent the timely process of clearing ice from their cars with these ten tips and tricks – and avoid any fines or penalty points in the process.

Experts from LeaseVan.co.uk have compiled a list of dos and don’ts for de-icing vehicles, and have advised on how you can avoid it altogether.

As the temperature drops below freezing, water vapour in the air is cooled, causing frost and ice.

And because windscreens and windows are made of glass, they tend to freeze over much quicker than any other part of vehicles.

The Highway Code clearly states that windows and windscreens must be kept clean and free of obstructions to vision – breaking this rule could result in a fine and points on your licence.

Tim Alcock, from LeaseVan.co.uk, said: “For many, these points will be common knowledge, but you can guarantee there’ll be someone in the UK trying to use an old ABBA Gold CD to scrape a thick layer of ice from their car this cold snap – resulting in a severely scratched windscreen that will cost hundreds to repair.

“As well as following the advice we’ve compiled here, there are also some preventative measures you can take to save yourself the hassle of having to scrape your car every morning.

“Cover your windshield with a tarp, towel or sheet, and weigh it down to prevent ice from building up. Don’t use this method if we’re expecting heavy snow, however, as it could be difficult to remove underneath inches of the white stuff.

“You could also mix up one-part water to three-parts vinegar and spray across the windscreen and windows the night before. Vinegar has a low freezing point, which makes short work of the frost and perfect for de-icing.

“And if you’ve got a garage, use it. By protecting your car from the elements, you significantly reduce the amount of elbow grease needed to remove ice after a frost.”

DO

1. Start your car and let it warm up – but stay in the vehicle!

If your car or van has a ‘defrost’ setting on the temperature gauge, switch it on. It could take around fifteen minutes for the glass to get warm on the inside and melt the ice on your windscreen. 

2. Make sure no ice, snow or other materials are blocking the exhaust pipe.

While your vehicle is warming up, make sure nothing is blocking your car’s exhaust pipe to prevent the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning.

3. Spray your car or van with a saltwater solution

This will dissolve the ice with a chemical reaction rather than melting it with heat. The ions in salt also lower the freezing point of water, making it difficult for it to refreeze. Apply the solution sparingly, as heavy application could damage the glass.

4. Use a made-for-purpose ice scraper to chip ice off your windscreen

It’s a good idea to keep one in your car or van at all times. Put it into the windshield and use short, powerful strokes to chip the ice away.

5. Keep a bottle of de-icer in your vehicle

They’re available from most garages for a couple of pounds and reduce the amount of effort needed to clear your car in the morning.

6. Leave plenty of time to defrost your car or van properly

About 10-15 minutes should do it. Don’t try and drive off if your windows aren’t completely clear.

DON’T

1. Start your car and let it warm up – and then leave it

You could risk a £20 fine and three penalty points for leaving your vehicle to defrost while the engine is idling. It also makes you an easy target for thieves, too.

2. Try to defrost the windscreen using hot, cold or warm water

Using warm or hot water could cause the glass to crack and break due to thermal shock, when the temperature changes really suddenly.

3. Just make a peephole in the middle of the ice or snow and then drive off

This could result in a £60 fine and three points on your licence for driving with limited vision.

4. Use anything but a made-for-purpose ice scraper to chip ice from your windscreen

When rushing to get to work in the morning, it’s easy to reach for the nearest flat object – like a bank card or CD – to scrape the ice off, but using anything other than a car or van ice scraper could lead to a severely scratched windscreen

Eight things you should NEVER leave in the car

British drivers have been warned about the dangers of leaving eight common items in their cars.

As the winter weather creeps in, motoring experts from LeaseCar.uk have revealed eight items you should always take out of cars and vans as a matter of health and safety.

Most drivers will take their belongings out of their vehicles after every journey to prevent break-ins and theft, but even low-cost items like sun cream and water bottles should be removed as extreme temperatures can reduce their efficacy.

And although the research is still a bit unclear, studies have linked chemicals found in plastic water bottles with health conditions like cancer and heart disease, and leaving them in the sun could cause these chemicals to leach into the water.

A spokesperson for LeaseCar.uk said: “In normal times, commuters will spend quite a few hours in their cars each week or even each day, and as a result, our vehicles can become homes for a variety of essential items like medication, water bottles, and even some food and snacks.

“But as this list reveals, there are some risks involved in leaving certain items in our cars, particularly if they’re exposed to extreme temperatures.”

1.    Medication

Most medicine should be left at room temperature, but parked cars rarely remain at that point during summer and winter. Heat, cold and moisture inside your car probably won’t make your drugs directly harmful, but it could make them less effective.

2.    Sun cream

Ironically, the active ingredients in sun scream break down in high heat. So, while unlikely to happen in the winter, leaving it in the car on a hot day could reduce its efficacy. Plus, the heat could cause it to explode.

3.    Water bottles

Although the research is still a bit unclear, studies have linked chemicals found in plastic water bottles (BPA and phthalates) with health conditions like cancer and heart disease. Letting a bottle sit in the sun and heat up could cause these chemicals to leach into the water. Plus, if the bottle has been lying around for a while, it could start developing harmful bacteria.

4.    Aerosol cans

Cans of deodorant, hairspray, or spray paint can all expand in extreme temperatures, potentially creating a full-on explosion if they’re left in the hot or cold weather for too long.

5.    Important documents

Vehicle registration documents need to be kept in cars but storing other important papers such as tax forms or bank statements in your car can leave you vulnerable to identity theft. With enough information about you, thieves can assume your identity to make purchases in your name. 

6.    Canned foods

You should never leave canned or tinned food in the car during freezing weather. When canned food freezes, the liquid expands and can break the seal, spoiling the food.

7.    Mobile phones

Many phone manufacturers advise against storing their products at temperatures below zero degrees. Performance of the lithium-ion batteries that power many mobile phones withers in extreme cold. Plus, you don’t want to risk them getting stolen anyway.

8.    Glasses

Try not to leave your glasses in the car, as both heat and cold can affect the frames. Extreme heat could cause frames to warp and extreme cold could cause them to snap.

Britain’s most dangerous roads

Motorists have been warned about some of the most dangerous roads in the UK and urged to take caution when driving them, particularly in winter weather.

Motoring experts from LeaseCar.uk have revealed roads in Northumberland, Cheshire and the Scottish Highlands could cause the most danger to drivers and passengers alike.

Lindisfarne Causeway, which links the famous island of Lindisfarne to Northern England may look safe, but the quick rising tide catches many a motorist off guard.

Roads such as the A39 in Somerset can also cause problems, especially when it reaches the 25% incline found at Porlock Hill.

A spokesperson for LeaseCar.uk said: “It’s easy to think that once you’ve passed your test or conquered a particularly long drive that you can cope with anything the roads throw at you.  

“However, some routes are significantly more dangerous than others.

“By ensuring you take time with your journey and pay even more attention to the road and other traffic, you can stay safe and navigate these risky roads.”

These is LeaseCar.uk’s list of most dangerous British roads:

1. Bealach-na-ba, Scottish Highlands

This is the third highest road in Scotland, reaching heights of 2,000 feet in some places. Learner drivers, large vehicles and caravans are advised to leave the road after the first mile. This leaves more experienced drivers to tackle the regular gradients of 20% that this road offers.

2. Lindisfarne Causeway, Northumberland

This road is open only twice a day, as the rising tide covers the causeway from mainland England to Lindisfarne at high tide. This perilous route can be picturesque and simple when the tide is out. However, the two-mile journey catches many drivers out due to the speed that the tide comes in. It’s not uncommon to see vehicles swept away and passengers stranded in huts situated on the side of the road in the middle of the sea.

3. Cat and Fiddle Road, Cheshire

This 7.5-mile route between Buxton and Macclesfield is lined with traditional dry-stone walls. Popular with tourists and lorries alike, the route has sheer drops at the side of the road and severe bends throughout. Although picturesque, it is important for drivers to keep their eyes firmly on the road.

4. Porlock Hill, Somerset

Known locally as the Atlantic Highway, the A39 near the village of Porlock is the one of the steepest A roads in England. When the road reaches Porlock Hill there is a gradient of 25%, climbing approximately 400m in less than two miles. The twists and turns of this road will keep you guessing, but the stunning scenery will keep passengers entertained.

5. Ffordd Pen Llech, North Wales

The steepest road in Britain, found in the Snowdonia National Park. Vehicles have been banned from driving parts of this road, which reaches inclines of 37.45%, meaning you may need to travel by foot on some parts of this brutal route.

6. Skyfall Road, Scottish Highlands

Famous for being featured in the James Bond film aptly named Skyfall, this road starts at the A82. Common characteristics of this dangerous road include tight hairpin bends wide enough for just one vehicle. Black ice can also be extremely common on this route, meaning care and caution must be taken.

Consultation to boost road safety and close mobile phone loophole

  • consultation launched to update law on using a hand-held device while driving
  • changes will help bolster enforcement and improve safe driving behaviour
  • further measures – including a review into roads policing – to tackle phone use at the wheel and improve road safety

People using a hand-held mobile phone in all circumstances while driving will be breaking the law, under new government plans unveiled by Roads Minister Baroness Vere today (17 October 2020) to close a legislation loophole and improve road safety.

It’s already a criminal offence to use a hand-held mobile phone to call or text while driving, but not for other actions such as taking photos. While still distracting, drivers have escaped punishment due to a legal loophole where such actions aren’t seen as ‘interactive communication’, and therefore do not fit the current definition of the offence.

Now, following a review of the offence, a consultation has been launched on bringing the law into line with modern technology – meaning drivers caught taking photos, playing games or scrolling through a playlist behind the wheel will be clearly breaking the law on mobile phone use.

Recognising that mobile phones are commonly used as a method of payment – such as at drive-thrus – an exemption will apply under the new proposals set out by government today to contactless payments, if a vehicle is stationary, and if goods or services – such as a takeaway meal – are delivered immediately.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “Our roads are some of the safest in the world, but we want to make sure they’re safer still by bringing the law into the 21st century.

“That’s why we’re looking to strengthen the law to make using a hand-held phone while driving illegal in a wider range of circumstances – it’s distracting and dangerous and for too long risky drivers have been able to escape punishment but this update will mean those doing the wrong thing will face the full force of the law.”

Ministers have rejected calls to go further by banning the use of hands-free functions – drivers will still be able to continue safely using devices ‘hands-free’ while driving, such as a sat-nav secured in a cradle.

The proposals come as new research published today gives a further snapshot into driver behaviour in the UK.

The project, commissioned by the Department for Transport and carried out by the University of Leeds, looked at footage of 51 drivers and found over 765 trips, 662 mobile phone interactions were observed with only 38 completely hands-free. At 30mph, a car travels 100 feet in 2.3 seconds – meaning even a split-second lapse from changing a song on a playlist or checking an app could result in a crash.

By updating the law, police powers will be bolstered to tackle this behaviour even further – ensuring they can take immediate action if they see a driver holding and using their phone at the wheel. The penalties in place for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving are 6 penalty points and a £200 fine.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, said: “Using a mobile phone while driving is incredibly dangerous and being distracted at the wheel can change lives forever.

“Police will take robust action against those using a hand-held mobile phone illegally and proposals to make the law clearer are welcome.”

AA president Edmund King OBE said: “There’s no excuse for picking up a mobile phone when driving so we’re pleased this loophole will be closed. Phones do so much more than calls and texts, so it’s only right that the law is changed to keep pace with technology. Tweets, TikTok and Instagram snaps can all wait until you park up.

“These new rules will clarify the law and help drivers realise that this dangerous act can have the same consequences and be as socially unacceptable as drink driving. If you cannot resist the temptation to pick up your phone, then you should convert your glovebox into a phone box.”

The government is also tackling phone use behind the wheel through a review of road traffic policing and wider traffic enforcement – to look at how roads policing currently works, its effectiveness, and where improvements could be made.

As well as this, the department runs dedicated THINK! campaigns to show drivers the risk they’re taking and the potentially devastating impact of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

In addition, the road safety action plan sets out over 70 measures to reduce the number of people killed or injured on roads around the country.

How to avoid autumnal road hazards

As temperatures start to drop and the days get shorter, drivers have been offered advice on how to avoid the dangers autumn can bring to UK roads.

The motoring experts at  LeaseVan.co.uk  have revealed their best advice for coping with autumnal hazards on the roads.

From replacing wiper blades to checking and replacing fog lights, drivers have been offered tips for preparing to drive in the low sun, rain, chilly mornings and sudden fog that autumn can bring.

The LeaseCar team have also looked at other potential hazards, like driving in the dark and avoiding animals which are more active in autumn.

Tim Alcock from  LeaseVan.co.uk  said: “Since we’ve been able to get out of our homes and back onto the roads, drivers will have gotten used to the warm dry weather, but with autumn just around the corner we wanted to make sure motorists were prepared for the potential dangers the change in weather can bring.

“We’ve compiled some advice for the different hazards, but the most important thing drivers need to remember is to slow down and leave plenty of room between them and the car in front.

“It’s also important to make sure your vehicle is in top condition too. Checking the wiper blades, bulbs and anti-freeze regularly is a must.”

1. Wet weather

Quick showers and heavy downpours can be dangerous to drive through. Rainwater mixing with the oil, dirt and grime on the roads can make then slick and slippery. Slow down and make sure you have enough stopping distance should you need to break suddenly.

2. Dazzle

Low sun can cause a problem at this time of year making it difficult to see. Make sure you carry a pair of sunglasses in the car, use the sun visors and keep the windscreen clean. A grimy windscreen can make the glare worse. If you are being dazzled, slow down.

3. Wet leaves

A patch of wet leaves can be just as dangerous as a big puddle. Reduce your speed before driving onto them, and remember, they may be hiding a pothole or other road hazard.

4. Driving in the dark

Being ready for night-time driving is essential. Check the bulbs in your headlights and taillights and when you’re on the road, slow down and keep an eye out for pedestrians.

5. Chilly mornings

The onset of autumn and winter means a dip in temperatures. Make sure your anti-freeze has been checked and you have everything you need to scrape the windscreen.

6. Icy roads

More of a problem during winter months, but some autumnal mornings can be icy. Try not to break suddenly or take corners too quickly. Be gentle with your acceleration and manoeuvres.

7. Fog

Fog can be a sudden hazard and it’s best to avoid driving if it’s too heavy. If you are caught out by quick falling fog, keep your speed low, use dipped lights and fog lights rather than full beamed lights and allow plenty of room for the car in front.

8. Animals

Deer are most active during the autumn months, October in particular, and are known to dart out into the road. If you see a deer, slow down and continue as usual.

9. Wiper blades

After a summer of sunshine, it’s time to check your wiper blades. If they squeak as they wipe, it’s time to replace them.