The SAS Survival Driver’s Handbook. John Wiseman
in gridlock and long delays. Drivers become impatient, and sometimes reckless, as they try to beat the jam and get to their destination on time. The result is that accidents that need never happen claim lives on a daily basis.
Motoring must be safe, and with a little forethought and common sense it can be. You don’t need to be an expert mechanic to maintain your car in prime condition, and anyone who has passed the driving test has the capability to master the advanced skills required for defensive driving. The aim of this book is to teach safe, easy-to-learn techniques and instil the confidence you need to be able to drive anywhere safely.
If you need an incentive to learn, think about the thousands of people who are killed or maimed in road traffic accidents every year. The majority of victims will claim that their accident was someone else’s fault. They may even be right — but that’s no consolation when lives have been lost or ruined.
You have it in your power to prevent yourself becoming a victim. In the chapters that follow, I will take you through the dangers that face the modern motorist and teach you the safest strategies for dealing with them. Between us we will make the roads a safer place and bring the enjoyment back into motoring.
John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman
Hereford 1997
WARNING
Great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this book is accurate at the time of going to press. No responsibility can be accepted by the publishers or the author for any prosecutions or proceedings brought or instituted against any person or body, or any loss or damage, caused by reliance upon the accuracy of the information. When using electrical, or other motor vehicle equipment, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The terms and conditions of the manufacturer’s, or dealer’s, warranty must be regarded as paramount.
Some people look on cars as toys for grown-ups. But driving is not just about freedom and thrills. It brings with it obligations, responsibilities and risks that cannot be ignored. So give serious thought both to how you drive and what you drive.
FIT TO DRIVE
• Loans
• Petrol vs. Diesel
• Speedometer checks
• Beware: stolen cars
• Rules for buying
LEGAL PAPERWORK
• Registration Documents
• Road tax
• Uninsured drivers
• General kit
• Medical Kit
• Cold weather kit
• Other necessities
In other words, they acquire bad driving habits, but a combination of luck and skill at the controls allows them to get away with a near-miss where a new driver would crash head-on. Ironically, the more near-misses they have, the more they congratulate themselves — mistaking high-speed manoeuvres and fast reflexes for skilful driving.
In reality, skilful driving is all about recognizing hazards and making decisions in good time so as to avoid near-misses. It’s about understanding the purpose of all those rules and regulations and road signs, and obeying them not because there’s an examiner or a police officer breathing down your neck, but because it’s the only safe way to drive. It’s also about recognizing that, no matter how long it’s been since you passed your test, there’s always room for improvement.
This is a book for drivers who have passed their test and satisfied the authorities that they are competent to handle a car on the public highways, but who want to satisfy themselves that they can safely deal with any situation they might encounter. Later chapters will give detailed instructions on advanced and defensive driving skills, correcting skids, dealing with road rage, etc. But first let’s tackle the basics: you and your car.
You have a legal obligation to make sure that you are medically fit to drive. Any health conditions likely to affect your driving must be reported to the authorities, and you should never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs which may impair your ability (see Safe Driving).
Most countries, including Britain, require elderly drivers to renew their licences annually and declare themselves fit to drive. Often there are no medical tests, so it is up to the driver to be honest when filling in the forms. For your own safety and that of your passengers and other road users, seek confirmation from your doctor and optician that you are capable of driving safely.
Pregnant women, or mothers who have recently given birth, should also seek medical advice. Most can safely drive, but it’s as well to be sure. Remember that you must wear a seat belt (adjust it so that the lap strap goes under the bump).
Vulnerable drivers will benefit greatly from membership of a motoring