Beyond the Driving Test: Essential Tips for Driving in Adverse Weather
Driving in bad weather conditions is a crucial skill that the driving test often overlooks, leaving many new drivers unprepared for real-world challenges.
Terry Cook, your host, emphasizes the importance of practicing in adverse weather, such as snow, ice, and fog, rather than cancelling lessons. He encourages learners to assess the safety and necessity of driving in such conditions, suggesting that preparation can include carrying essential supplies in the car and adjusting travel plans to ensure safety.
Additionally, Terry highlights the value of communication with driving instructors to arrange practice sessions when the weather turns challenging. This episode serves as a reminder that passing the driving test is just the beginning, and ongoing learning and experience are vital for safe driving throughout all seasons.
The Driving Test Podcast is here to give you all the information and tips you'll need to help you pass your driving test. Whether you're learning to drive, getting ready to start, or helping someone else, this show will get you in the right gear.
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Terry Cook welcomes listeners to the Driving Test Podcast, where the focus is on preparing drivers for real-world challenges that the driving test does not cover. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding how adverse weather conditions impact driving and the rationale behind the cancellation of driving tests during such times. For example, while main roads may be navigable, side roads can pose significant risks due to ice or snow. The episode advocates for a proactive approach to driving in poor weather, encouraging learners to practice under these conditions whenever possible, ideally with an instructor or experienced driver by their side. This hands-on experience can greatly enhance confidence and competence when facing similar conditions in the future.
Listeners are urged to consider their safety and preparedness when driving in bad weather. Terry discusses practical steps to take, such as allowing extra time for journeys, being mindful of traffic conditions, and carrying essentials in the car, like water and blankets. Additionally, the podcast stresses the importance of communication with driving instructors about practicing in adverse conditions. By seeking opportunities for training during inclement weather, learners can acquire valuable skills that extend beyond simply passing the driving test. The episode wraps up with a reminder of the ongoing Road Safety Week and invites listeners to support the Brake charity, which aids families affected by road traffic incidents, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to promoting safer driving practices.
Takeaways:
- Driving tests often get cancelled in bad weather due to safety concerns on side roads.
- Examiners prioritize safety in bad weather, making it essential to assess driving necessity.
- Practicing in adverse weather with an instructor can build confidence and competence.
- It's vital to discuss driving strategies during inclement weather with your driving instructor.
- Consider additional training after passing your test to improve your skills in various conditions.
- Always be prepared for emergencies by keeping supplies in your vehicle during long journeys.
Transcript
Welcome to the Driving Test Podcast.
Terry Cook:I am your host, Terry Cook of TC Drive, and I am here as your guide on your journey to passing your driving test and beyond.
Terry Cook:That's right.
Terry Cook:Also here to help you prepare for all those wonderful journeys you're going to go on when you pass your driving test.
Terry Cook:And today we are continuing our look at how the driving test doesn't prepare you for life on the road.
Terry Cook:Now, this is day two of this miniseries and today we're going to be looking at driving in bad weather conditions.
Terry Cook:But before we do, I just want to quickly remind you that I'm releasing these episodes throughout Road Safety Week, which is run by Brick, a road safety charity.
Terry Cook:Now, Brick helps support families of those who have lost their lives due to a road traffic collision.
Terry Cook:And unfortunately, there's a lot of crashes every day.
Terry Cook:So break do need a lot of help.
Terry Cook:Now, if you would like to donate, you can find a link in the show notes or you can Visit the website brake.orguk but I want to help keep you safe by talking to you about the way the driving test doesn't prepare you for real world driving and what you can do to get yourself ready.
Terry Cook:So, throughout this Road Safety week, I'll be discussing a different topic every day.
Terry Cook:Yesterday was parking and today is looking at adverse weather.
Terry Cook:So, first of all, with regards to driving tests, they are often cancelled of things like snow, ice and fog.
Terry Cook:But you'll still see cars on the road driving.
Terry Cook:So why do the tests get cancelled?
Terry Cook:Well, if we use ICE as the example, often the main road will be okay to drive on, but some of the side roads will be really icy and the examiners will decide that isn't safe to drive on those side roads because they'll need to go down there maybe to do a maneuver or to see how you do the intricate parts of driving.
Terry Cook:So they may then make the decision that is not really safe to do.
Terry Cook:Therefore, on your test, you're not going to get that practice or to display how capable you are in bad weather conditions.
Terry Cook:Now, the first thing I want to point out here is that I think the examiners are generally correct in these sort of things, because what we should be doing in bad weather is deciding if it is safe to drive.
Terry Cook:Is it appropriate to drive, for example, if you need to get to work?
Terry Cook:Would today be a better time to consider public transport?
Terry Cook:Would today be a better time to consider taking the day off work or is there a necessity to drive?
Terry Cook:Well, if there is, how are we going to deal with that?
Terry Cook:So you'll need to consider leaving more time so you're not rushing and you can drive a little bit slower in certain conditions.
Terry Cook:Maybe you'll change the time that you're actually setting off so there isn't as much traffic on the road, so it is a bit safer.
Terry Cook:So these are all things you can consider.
Terry Cook:Is it safe to drive?
Terry Cook:Do you need to drive?
Terry Cook:And if you are driving, what can you do?
Terry Cook:Also, if it's a longer journey, considering what you might keep in the car, do you want to keep some refreshments or bottled water, keep some blankets in their coats, first aid kits, all that kind of stuff.
Terry Cook:So all this isn't going to be covered on your driving test.
Terry Cook:You will not do this on your driving test.
Terry Cook:But it's stuff that you can do to make driving in those weather conditions safer and more viable.
Terry Cook:But we can also practice on lessons.
Terry Cook:So it's easy when there's bad weather, snow and ice or whatever it might be to just cancel.
Terry Cook:Whether you're practicing with parents, guardians, friends or a driving instructor, it's easy to just cancel because it's not nice to drive in that weather.
Terry Cook:I would advise against that.
Terry Cook:I would advise if there is bad weather, where possible, you practice in it, especially if you have an instructor.
Terry Cook:Because when better to practice driving in the snow than when you've got an instructor with you to help you.
Terry Cook:And if you sat at home and you're with your parents, for example, and they're helping you learn and you see that weather getting bad, maybe it starts chucking it down, or whether you notice that it starts to snow or get really foggy, maybe ask them, can we go and practice this tonight?
Terry Cook:Because if you've got that experience in these, those conditions, then when you pass your test, you're going to know what to do better and you'll feel more confident in those conditions.
Terry Cook:So where you can take the opportunity.
Terry Cook:And the other thing I would say is tell your driving instructor in advance that you want to practice in snow and ice.
Terry Cook:Because that way, when it starts snowing, if certain students cancel, or if the instructor's got some space, I'll know how to message you and say, realize it's snowing today.
Terry Cook:You said you want a lesson.
Terry Cook:Do you fancy going out?
Terry Cook:So where you can, you can practice that.
Terry Cook:And when you're practicing that stuff with your instructor, practice skidding.
Terry Cook:You can practice using the abs or kicking the abs in.
Terry Cook:You know, this is.
Terry Cook:These are the things that you can practice with your instructor.
Terry Cook:How to recover from a skid is a great one.
Terry Cook:Now I Will just clarify, this may not always be possible, it may not always be viable.
Terry Cook:If I use myself as an example, I live in a kind of really high part of the country, right at the top of a hill.
Terry Cook:So when I have to do liver lessons during the bad weather, I have to consider I may be able to get to that person's lesson, but will I be able to get home?
Terry Cook:And if I don't think that's doable, then I won't be able to do the lessons because it has to be safe.
Terry Cook:So the practice is awesome, definitely.
Terry Cook:And I really encourage do it.
Terry Cook:But as I said at the start of this, considering if it's safe and appropriate to do it is probably the most important thing.
Terry Cook:So if we then look at the opposite of that.
Terry Cook:So someone that's learning to drive in the summer.
Terry Cook:Well, there is aspects of adverse weather there in we've got bright sun and sometimes that sun's getting in your eyes.
Terry Cook:Now this is a small thing, but yes, you can wear sunglasses and there is a sun visor so we can use those as well.
Terry Cook:But if we talk in really bad weather, they're not going to get a chance to practice sat in the sun.
Terry Cook:So the one thing you can do is have a good chat with your instructor about it.
Terry Cook:And this doesn't mean being sat on the road for 45 minutes having a conversation, it means just taking a few minutes to ask how would we do this?
Terry Cook:How would you manage in this snow?
Terry Cook:What distance do I keep from the car in front?
Terry Cook:You know, all these questions you can ask your instructor and hopefully your instructor would be willing to have that conversation with you.
Terry Cook:So just because you're not getting the practice in those bad weather conditions doesn't mean you can't still prepare a little bit for them.
Terry Cook:And as an add on to that, there's absolutely nothing wrong with going back for further training.
Terry Cook:Now there are organizations that run further training such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists, but that's based around an advanced driving test.
Terry Cook:So I would suggest getting back in touch with your instructor if you've left over the summer.
Terry Cook:When it comes to autumn and winter months, get back in touch and say, can we book a lesson in now maybe the lesson you book in there isn't adverse weather.
Terry Cook:So maybe what you do is you reach out to instructor and say when you've got a space and it's chucking it down, or when you've got a space and it's icy, can you let me know and I'll see if I can do it.
Terry Cook:Maybe there's a way you can go back for that additional training there.
Terry Cook:Just because you pass your test doesn't mean you've stopped learning to drive.
Terry Cook:So I hope you've enjoyed this little look at how the driving test doesn't prepare you for driving in those bad weather conditions.
Terry Cook:And I'll be releasing these over the next week every day, so please consider donating to break this week.
Terry Cook:You'll find a link to do that in the show notes.
Terry Cook:But for now, make sure you subscribe to the Driving Test podcast because we'll be returning with a brand new format soon.
Terry Cook:And until next time, stay safe and drive safer.
