The Highway Code applies to England and is essential reading for everyone.

Rule 119

Skidding is usually caused by the driver braking, accelerating or steering too harshly or driving too fast for the road conditions. If skidding occurs, remove the cause by releasing the brake pedal fully or easing off the accelerator. Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. For example, if the rear of the vehicle skids to the right, steer immediately to the right to recover.

Whilst driving on our roads there are many different things that can go wrong with your car. This can be from the simple thing like running out of screen wash or getting a puncture, or to your car breaking down when you least expect it. Having said that any time you break down is never a good time. So be sure to join a breakdown recovery organisation, there are many to choose from weather its a larger company like the AA or the RAC or a local company to where you live. This will give you peace of mind when you are traveling long distances. Break downs can happen at any time, and never a good time !

The worst of all !

To have your brakes fail when you are driving is about as bad as it gets. To help avoid this ever happening you need to always remember to check your brakes each time you start your journey, however small the drive will be. The first test you should do is try the brakes before you even start the engine, your brakes should feel nice and firm and the pedal should not feel soft or spongy, this is something you will feel right away if you check before starting the engine. Then after you move off check them again, we are not saying carry out an emergency stop, but make sure you use them after you move off to make sure they are working and stop your car promptly and also pull you up in a straight line. If the car pulls to the left or right you could have defective brakes on either side or possibly even a puncture as this will affect how the brakes will work.

The Highway Code is essential reading for everyone.

Rule 113

You MUST

• ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise when driving at night.
• use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified by road signs.
• use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226).

Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise.

Laws RVLR regs 3, 24 & 25 (In Scotland – RTRA sect 82 (as amended by NRSWA, para 59 of sched 8))

Rule 114

You MUST NOT

• use any lights on your car in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horseriders
• use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users (see Rule 226).

In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the foot brake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.

Law RVLR reg 27

Rule 115

You should also

• • use dipped headlights on your car or dim-dip if fitted, at night in built-up areas and in dull daytime weather, to ensure that you can be seen
  • keep your headlights dipped when overtaking until you are level with the other vehicle and then change to the main beam if necessary unless this would dazzle oncoming road users
  • slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights.

Nearly all drivers are aware of the ever changing dangers whilst driving. This can be speeding drivers, cyclists weaving between cars in traffic or the hazards from driving in bad weather conditions, there is almost a never ending source of danger when ever we drive.

What shall we do

So what can we do to avoid these dangers when we drive. The answer is very easy really, by turning on your headlights, (of course some new cars now have the facility to have the lights set to auto), however if yours doesn’t then make sure you turn them on when visibility is reduced. This doesn’t mean when its dark people…. day or night please…. highway code rule 226

A recent study suggests that by driving with your headlights on at all times, will reduce your chances of being involved in a crash by up to one third.