The narrow streets of Ditchling provide drivers with specific challenges. This video shows Stuart Ansell of Reality Driving School giving tips on how to drive on narrow lanes with oncoming traffic.

Become an OWL (Observations Without Limits).

The first thing to do is: GET THE WINDOW DOWN! Even if it’s just a little bit – you can hear other Road users which will make you look and observe.
Nothing can replace good observations though!
Driving Instructors tell you to look out the back window when reversing.
Let us enlighten you!
Reversing has restricted vision so it’s really, really important to keep checking all around the car when you reverse.

Follow these simple steps:
Imagine you are beginning to reverse and start looking out of the rear window:
Count to 3 and then glance at: left blind spot, left door mirror, interior mirror, ahead, right door mirror and right blind spot. Doing this you will be able to check what’s around you to keep safe and what your relevant position is in the door mirrors.
When you reach the right blind spot glance in the same positions on the way back – right door mirror, ahead, interior mirror, left door mirror, left blind spot and rear window.
Count to 3 and then repeat it. After all you can fail for too few observations but have you heard of any failing for too many?

REALITY Driving School – getting you ready for your test!

For more info call 0845 459 55 39

A hazard routine is not just about MSPSLADA – ……. Mirrors – Signal – Position – Speed/Gear – Look – Assess – Decide – Act (or MSM). Your examiner will be looking for an awareness and safe action from you.

After all you often can’t do anything until you have actually seen the hazard.
Here’s an explanation;

The Photo below shows a typical hazard – MSPSL? More like;

Assess – Mirrors – Assess – Speed – Mirrors – Assess – Decide – Act

REALITY Driving School – getting you ready for your test!

For more info call 0845 459 55 39

So let’s assess the situation – roads leading everywhere and cars parked on a bend.
Check the mirrors to see what affect your actions will make on other road users.

Now we can re-assess and make some plans – probably mirrors, speed control and cars position come next, followed by another mirror check.

Then its time to decide and act, but if you have had to stop: then mirrors again.

What affect would a signal make now? Signalling right could be confusing – but on the other hand you do not want to look like you are parked if you have to stop. Position becomes very prominent if you have to stop.

Reality Driving School – helping you pass your driving test in Bedworth, Balsall Common, Coventry, Hinckley, Leicester, Kenilworth, Rugby and Warwick.

Reality Driving School making things easy for you.

For driving lessons in Coventry, call Reality Driving School on 0845 459 5539

Eco Driving tips will be developed over the coming months:

As we work with corporate clients teaching good Driving practice, we have seen a significant reduction in amount of fuel being used just by better gearbox use. As much as 22% has been saved at times.
Block changing the gears (skipping gears): You will probably have watched your parents change down from 5th to 4th then to 3rd and then 2nd gear before finally setting for first gear. Well there are few safety and

ECO problems with this:

At Reality we will teach you a routine called “Brakes to slow – gear to go”. This means that you will start braking earlier and consequently the car will show brake lights earlier thus reducing the possibility of a rear end collision. Braking the vehicle sooner and more gently allows better/ more observations. One gear change to the most appropriate gear will save fuel and time and will also keep your hands on the steering wheel longer. So consider braking earlier, getting down to the most appropriate speed for the hazard and then selecting the most appropriate gear. This makes just one gear change and is the safest and most efficient.
Each time your parents change down they let in the clutch and the engine revs go up burning more fuel and using expensive clutch material, so why were they taught this method?

Years ago braking systems were quite poor, no servo assist, no ABS and just drum brakes. Using engine braking down through the gears was a useful brake assist. Nowadays brakes are so much more efficient and certainly cheaper than replacing clutches.