Do you remember when you last visited your optician? If you can’t it may be time to book an appointment.

Ensuring that your vision is clear and unimpaired is vital for both learning and once you’ve passed your test, as you will be tested in your practice on your eyesight before you get in the vehicle.

There are also more reports now of Police officers revoking drivers licences if they fail the roadside eye test, so make sure to get your vision tested.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

Here are some tips on how to be a good driver while learning and when you pass your test. Being a good driver has many positives too such as lowering your insurance costs.

The first tip is a simple one, make sure you’re always aware of the speed limit when in doubt stick to 30mph unless you’re shown otherwise.

Being focused on the road will always work in your favour, don’t get distracted by the passengers. Make sure that the road has your full attention, put your phone on driving mode or silent to stop you being distracted by the screen lighting up and the sound.

A key one to ensuring you are 100% sober when operating a vehicle as although there is a limit on the amount you can drink, it’s always safer to not drink at all if you’re driving. Make sure you’re in the best possible mind frame and your skills are not impaired.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

For many UK motorists this law seems like common sense but for some its something that could see them getting a hefty fine and even a potential ban.

What are we talking about?

If drivers are caught driving in lanes that have a clear red X displayed above and are caught they can now not only be fined but also face a driving ban. Smart motorways are where police believe most drivers will be caught, as the smart motorways are equipped with cameras that are able to detect people breaking laws such as speeding, lane hogging and driving in closed lanes.

One van driver caught was fined £880 and also had to serve a 6-month ban. So next time you’re on the motorway make sure to follow the rules or face the consequences.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

It would seem possible that VR could be an added test for students to help prepare them for both hazard perfection and their physical driving test.

Transport Minister Jesse Norman is a figure who believes that VR could be an advantage to learners and help to lower the chances of accidents and better prepare them.

How would it work?

It would work by allowing the learner to imagine and feel that they are sitting in the car, this could be used to help them with hazard perception as it will be a real experience and show the instructor’s reaction time and the cautiousness of the driver. Allowing instructors to access what the next lesson can be structured around.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

The worst weather for driving is heavy rain, storms and snow, but are you prepared for it?

Rain not only reduces visibility but also the amount of grip, which increases stopping distances. Before setting off, check car tyres have the legal minimum tread depth or more.

If not your tyres will easily aquaplane, which could lead to potentially losing all control. If this happens, try not to steer or brake because this will cause the car to skid, and that could become very disastrous. Instead, keep steering the pointing in the direction of travel and the tyres will grip again after the puddle eventually.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

Why do some countries drive on the left and others the right?

In the UK we drive on the left, but most of our neighbours drive on the right. It might not surprise you to know, but 35% of the world drive on the left. Are you thinking we’re right and they’re wrong?

Since most people are right-handed, swordsmen preferred to keep to the left in order to have their right arm nearer to an opponent and their scabbard further from him.

For more history and information on this, click here.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

Paying thousands of pounds a month for your car which is only to be parked on your drive can be annoying.

Many cars, at least 90% will stay static in their lifetime, however, providers can now save you money if you don’t drive every day.

Read more here.

Pay by the mile & by time

You can save between £100-£500 a year by effectively paying for your car insurance by pay-as-you-go! With a new technology called ‘insuretech’ – making insurance cheaper on anything such as bicycles and expensive items.

“It gives you that flexibility to do a fair comparison before you start a journey – to say, ‘Shall I walk it, shall I take the bus, or shall I take the train?'” says the company’s chief executive James Blackham.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

Tech analysts are predicting that in less than 20 years we’ll all have stopped owning cars.

A huge claim, but the argument of new and innovating technology is ready to revolutionise transportation for everyone. Self-driving electric vehicles that are organised into an Uber network, offering cheap transport that you’ll decide quickly you won’t need a car anymore.

Don’t think 20 years is enough time? Think about it, it only took 13 years for cars to replace horses in 1900-1913 New York.

We highly recommend reading more here, and decide yourself if you want to learn to drive.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

In the next 15 years, MP’s have claimed the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles should be banned in the UK.

The current target was going to be 2040, but they’ve brought it back eight years due to the world’s pollution and environmental issues.

Ministers were also told that they need to “get a grip” when it comes to implementing an effective nationwide charging network, which many identify as one of the main barriers to encouraging electric car use.

For more information on electric cars, view here.

Safe driving, from Britannia!

Being dark and hundreds of fireworks going off, the team at Britannia want you to focus and drive as safely as possible. Here’s a video to help you drive at night time.

Safe driving, from Britannia!