CONGRATULATIONS to Sam Rhymes on passing his driving test this afternoon - Nice One - Well Done Sam - Keep Safe and Happy driving 😊 🚘

CONGRATULATIONS to Ryan Gotch on passing his driving test this afternoon. Well Done Ryan - Keep Safe and Happy driving! 😊 🚘

Not many of the people I've taught to drive over the recent years have had lessons driving in proper snow so here are a few useful tips for you and others just in case we get what is forecast! KEEP SAFE and HAPPY DRIVING! 😊 🚘 X PLAN YOUR JOURNEY Before you set off, think and plan your journey - Listen to local radio, TV, or social media updates to help make your journey as easy and SAFE as possible. Consider areas that are going to be exposed to the elements - Remember not all roads are treated by the Gritters! Be sensible, if the weather is really bad do you really need to make your journey? GET YOUR CAR READY - Get up 10 minutes earlier!! 😜 Allow more time than you normally would before you set off to clear your car windscreen (inside and out) the windows, mirrors and lights and remove any snow from the roof before driving off. Failing to ensure full visibility is not safe and could result in you breaking the law! If your locks do get frozen, try warming the key or spraying de-icer or an oil-based lubricant into the lock. CHECK YOUR TYRES Would you walk over Dartmoor (in any weather) in Flip Flops? NO - So why drive on the road without good tread either !! 👣 😊 Check your tyres regularly for adequate tread. Poor tyres will not give you grip especially when driving on snow and ice. If you are unsure go and get them checked at ATS in Kingsbridge - they are great and so helpful! 🚘 😊 If you live in an area where snow is common it might be worth changing to winter tyres with deeper tread. If conditions are really bad you might want to consider the use of snow socks or even snow chains. ( Maybe not here needed here in the South Hams!! 😉) CHECK YOUR SCREENWASH Use a screenwash that protects down to at least -35 to prevent the water from freezing. 5 Litre - Ready to use - £3.50 from Tescos!! 💦😊 CHECK YOUR WINDSCREEN WIPERS Make sure any auto wiper control is switched off before turning the ignition on as this could blow the wiper control fuse if they are frozen to the screen. Your wipers need to be in good working order so you’re able to clean your windscreen effectively. PREPARE AND PACK FOR THE WORST Be prepared for every eventuality especially for if you break down or get stuck in the snow by ensuring that you have the following in your boot: a warm jumper / coat and hat, boots for walking, food, a hot drink, a blanket, spare screenwash, de-icer, ice scraper, shovel, phone charger, map, a first aid kit, torch, a warning triangle, some jump leads, a spade and a square of carpet that you can use to put under your drive wheels should you get stuck in the snow. The most important thing to take with you before driving anywhere, at any time, but especially in snow is a charged mobile phone with the phone number of your breakdown provider, parent or partner stored in it so you can always call for help. HOW TO HANDLE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY IN SNOW KEEP YOUR SPEED DOWN and allow more time to slow, stop and steer. Get your speed right and maintain SAFE STOPPING DISTANCES between you and the car in front, leaving as much as 10 TIMES the normal recommended when driving in snow or icy conditions. Controls such as the brakes, as well as the steering, accelerator and gear changing should be operated smoothly and slowly. Accelerate gently, use low revs and change up to a higher gear as soon as possible, Prepare for an uphill by leaving plenty of room in front so you can maintain a constant speed without the need for changing gear. Use a low gear for going downhill and try to avoid braking unless necessary, make sure you leave plenty of space between you and the car in front. When approaching a bend, brake BEFORE you start to turn the steering wheel. If your car does lose grip try not to panic; the key thing is to take your foot off the accelerator and make sure that your wheels are pointing in the direction you want to go. If you do encounter a skid - steer into it - for example if the rear of the car is sliding to the right, steer gently to the right or if sliding to the left, gently to the left - but be careful not to oversteer! Hold on tight to the steering wheel. When driving in poor visibility, especially in snow PUT YOUR LIGHTS ON. Daytime driving lights are not enough as they don't always put lights on at the back of your car. If visibility drops below a metres - approx. the length of a rugby pitch! 🏈 😊 ) put your fog lights on. But remember to turn them off when the visibility improves. If the road has not been gritted, be wary of driving in the wheeltracks or other vehicles as compressed snow is likely to be more icy than fresh snow. Consider microclimates that might appear on the road. These are areas where the sun hasn’t got to, which could stay icy when the rest of the road has thawed. Bridges are a good example. They’re normally the first to freeze and the last to thaw. So be aware of that when you’re driving in open spaces. Make sure you keep your car clean. The salt used to de-ice roads can cause corrosion to your car over time, so it’s worth making a point of cleaning it regularly especially throughout the winter months. I hope you have found this helpful - KEEP SAFE and HAPPY DRIVING! 😊 🚘 X

CONGRATULATIONS to Chloe Inch on passing her driving test this morning - Well Done Chloe - Keep Safe and Happy driving! 😊 🚘

CONGRATULATIONS to Liam Nixon on passing his driving test this morning - Well Done Liam - Keep Safe and Happy Drving! 😊 🚘

It's been another great year! 🚘 🚗 xx Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Best Wishes for 2018! 🎄🎅🏽 🎁 🎉 🎶 I'm back to work on Wednesday 3rd January 2018 - See you then! 😊 xx

SNOW AND ICE Before you set off: - You MUST be able to see, so clear all snow and ice from all your windows. - You MUST ensure that lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible and legible. - Make sure the mirrors are clear and the windows are demisted thoroughly. - Remove all snow that might fall off into the path of other road users. -Check your planned route is clear of delays and that no further snowfalls or severe weather are predicted. In case of breakdown make sure your mobiile phone is fully charged and that you have provisions in the boot like warm clothes, sturdy shoes etc.

Quite a few parents have been asking about how they can help with practice driving so I am reposting this again as it is a useful guide to private practice! Keep Safe and Happy Driving! 😊 🚘

I witnessed a cyclist being knocked off his bike today - Thankfully he is ok although very battered and bruised! 😔 PLEASE READ and only overtake a cyclist when it is SAFE & LEGAL to do so - it's common sense really! 🚘 🚲 1) Don't get too close to the cyclist you intend to overtake! 2) Before overtaking make sure the road ahead is clear! Give way to oncoming traffic. Dont try and force an overtake when a car is coming the other way as this will cause you to pass closer to the cyclist than is safe. 3) Before moving look for sufficient room in front of the cyclist to pull back in safely! If there is stationary or slow moving traffic ahead there is little point in overtaking the cyclist only to have to put the brakes on right in front of them and if turning left very soon after overtaking a cyclist it is better and safer to wait behind them instead of overtaking and then cutting left in front of them. 4) When safe and once you have started the overtake move quickly past! 5) Allow plenty of room! Cars overtaking cyclists should be on the other side of the road, just as if they were overtaking a car. 6) Move back to the left as soon as you can but do not cut in and allow plenty of space! If you can see the cyclist in your left wing mirror you know you can pull back in safely. * * * * * Dont' assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehicle! Take extra care at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance! If a cyclist looks over their shoulder it could mean that they intend to pull out, turn right or change direction. Give them time and space to do so! Cyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven road surfaces and obstacles such as drain covers or oily, wet or icy patches on the road. Give them plenty of room and pay particular attention to any sudden change of direction they may have to make! * * * * * If all motorists knew and understood the Highway Code they would know why they should wait until there was sufficient room to overtake a cyclist safely! 🚘 🚲

The driving test is changing on December 4th 2017! 😊 🚘 🚗

KEEP CALM - LOOK & LISTEN - KEEP SAFE & LEGAL! By remaining AWARE and being OBSERVANT of what's around, it helps you to ANTICIPATE and PLAN without compromising your safety. Plus your courtesy could be helping to save a life!

CONGRATULATIONS to Megan Perrins on passing her driving test this afternoon. Well Done Megan - Keep Safe and Happy driving! 😊 🚘