Good old British summer – Instead of basking in beautiful sunshine, of course we are now getting used to torrential rainfall and storms appearing overhead, often without warning. But how best to deal with unexpected extreme weather conditions when out driving in your car?

Always make sure to stay aware of the weather at all times. If it seems a storm is imminent, avoid roads where flooding is likely, such as close to rivers. If at all possible, stay indoors to avoid any risk of getting stuck in flash floods – you might just be glad you did.

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Even the safest, most vigilant drivers may lose control of their vehicle at some point. Whether you skid on water or ice, or even end up in a collision, it is important to try and regain control of your vehicle as quickly and calmly as possible. Always avoid panicking and keep calm, however difficult that might be. Keep your eyes open and your hands firmly on the wheel, so that you are ready to act accordingly once you have regained full control of the vehicle. It’s also advisable to shift your gear stick into neutral, so you are not allowing unnecessary power to the wheels.

Remember, you might not necessarily need to stop the vehicle; it all depends on the situation that you find yourself in. However, if you are able to stop and get out of the car, always make sure that you are out of the danger zone before doing so. Other vehicles that were following you might be heading for the same hazard and they could lose control as well.

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Strong lane discipline is compulsory when driving. It’s important that you don’t straddle another lane and make sure that you stay within the lines of the lane you are driving in. Poor lane discipline is a form of dangerous driving that could cause serious accidents and/or lead to prosecution if you are caught by the police.

To avoid lane confusion it’s important that you plan forward, concentrate and always observe. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a situation you weren’t prepared for. Be aware of upcoming roundabouts at the earliest opportunity and think carefully; panicking will only make the situation worse so always remain in control when choosing the right lane.

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Qualified drivers are often disrespectful to learners and will often tailgate them, which can be an unsettling experience for the learner and a potential distraction. Remember, you were a learner once and therefore understand the pressures involved, so be kind and patient with newcomers on the road! By doing so, you will set the right example to new drivers and reduce the likelihood of accidents and road rage.

If it is safe to do so, overtake the learner so as to get on your way; do not intimidate them by driving close, honking the horn or flashing your lights at them. Exercising a little common courtesy when behind the wheel can really go a long way.

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Listening to the radio while driving can be bad for your concentration – so much so it could lead to an accident. Let’s face it, when you hear your favourite song come on the radio you’re likely to ramp up the volume, which can potentially cause even further distraction.

While listening to music in your car is perfectly acceptable, it is important to bear in mind the potential risks of getting too carried away, not only with your favourite tunes but traffic news reports, sports and/or radio interviews. Also, when attempting to tune in to a particular station you will take your hand off the wheel and very likely take your eyes off the road, and even for a split second doing so can be dangerous while driving.

It’s best to make sure your radio is properly tuned before pulling away, and don’t have the volume too loud. Also ensure you’re not too close to the vehicle in front, in case they break suddenly and you’re not looking or have limited concentration to be able to stop in time. It is possible to enjoy your radio and be safe when driving!

Parallel parking is quite possibly one of the most tricky driving test manoeuvres, thus fails a great many driving tests in the UK. For this reason, it’s highly advisable to learn a structured technique and practice until a level of proficiency is reached, so that each and every parallel park is achieved successfully. Remember, it doesn’t have to be done in one manoeuvre; it is perfectly acceptable to move forward and make adjustments throughout the procedure.

Using reference points helps as part of practising a structured technique; such as lining up your wing mirrors with certain points on the cars that you are going to park between. Drive slowly and smoothly and don’t get in a flap, and above all, keep observing the road around you.

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Putting the incorrect fuel in your tank can cause turmoil to your journey and potentially severe damage to your car engine. It’s important to not panic and certainly don’t feel embarrassed, it’s quite an easy mistake to make! If you accidentally put petrol in your diesel car, do not under any circumstances try and start your ignition, as this will circulate the mixed fuel around the engine and cause further damage.

If you put diesel into a petrol-run car, you’ll be relieved to know there’ll be no major damage to your engine. While diesel fuel has to be compressed to ignite, petrol is ignited by a spark generated by the spark plugs. When the ignition is started the diesel would potentially clog up your fuel system, causing your vehicle to misfire, produce smoke and possibly cut out. Once the incorrect fuel has been flushed from the system, your vehicle should start fairly quickly. You might see smoke whilst the diesel residue is being burnt off, but after that your car should run as well as it did before. Just be mindful in future and double check before filling up!

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When taking your driving test you will most certainly come upon a crossroads, which like all junctions, should be thoroughly practised and taken very seriously. Crossroads provide an intersection not only for motorists, but cyclists and pedestrians as well. When all of these come together in one small area, it’s understandable that accidents can occur. By acknowledging and understanding the risks, you can help to reduce the likelihood of accidents at crossroads.

Crossroads can often be confusing not only to learners, but even experienced fully licensed drivers as well, purely because of the different types that all depend on the type of area you are driving in. For example, unmarked crossroads – typically found in quieter residential areas or rural roads – have no road marking or signs to let drivers know who to give way to. In this case, no one has priority so motorist must work collaboratively to promote safe driving.

Controlled crossroads, which are monitored with traffic lights, are usually found in busy urban areas and are commonly much safer junctions. That said, not all motorists will respect the rules and you may encounter someone who chances a red light, which can result in an accident. Be mindful of motorists and cyclist who may do this and by absolutely no means should you attempt this yourself.

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Eating and drinking behind the wheel is not actually against the law, but it can be a distraction to the driver, therefore it can be classed as careless driving – which can result in a fine of up to £100 and three penalty points on your licence.

Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous behaviours that police are aiming to prevent, for even a short disruption to your concentration when driving can have serious consequences, not just for you but other road users. Studies reveal that drivers who eat or drink while driving are 3.6 times more likely to be in an accident than their more attentive counterparts.

Before deciding to eat or drink when you are driving, ask yourself “can it not wait until I have arrived at my destination?” If you are extremely hungry or thirsty, it would be wise to find a safe place to pull over and do so there.

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There really is nothing worse that breaking down on the motorway – it can be a rather unsettling, sometimes alarming experience. If your vehicle develops a problem while you are driving on the motorway, leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a nearby service area. If neither of these options are possible, pull over on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as possible, and preferably close to an emergency telephone; these are free of charge and connect directly to the Highways Agency or the police.

Under no circumstances should you leave your vehicle unattended. When getting out, always do so on the left hand side. When speaking on the phone, always face the oncoming traffic.

If you are able to re-join the carriageway after a breakdown, you must do so safely by first building up speed along the hard shoulder and waiting for a safe gap to join in the traffic. Also be aware that other vehicles might be stationary on the hard shoulder.

Safe driving from Britannia!