Know your speed limits

Driver training specialist IAM Drive & Survive is offering weekly motoring tips to drivers from its head of training, Simon Elstow. This week he is advising on managing your speed.

Look well ahead and be ready for other drivers’ reactions especially when they spot a camera at the last second. They will often slow down faster and more than they need to.

Watch out for speed limit changes early by looking further ahead. They are often as you leave roundabouts and junctions on main routes.

If you have trouble staying at a set speed when driving a manual car, stay in a gear that will help you to remain at a legal speed. For example, when driving in town at 30mph, third gear is a good choice in some cars. Try what works for you and your car.

Speed limits are a maximum speed, not a minimum. If conditions are bad, reduce your speed.

Always drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely on your own side of the road within the distance you can see is clear.

Don’t be pressured into breaking the speed limit by drivers behind you.

Remember, large vehicles have lower speed limits. For example, 40 mph on rural roads .
 
Elstow said: ““Know the speed limit and always abide by it. That doesn’t mean you have to drive slowly, but we do all have to stay within the limit.
 
“If you need to make good progress carry out well timed overtakes, smooth, progressive cornering and timely, controlled acceleration without breaking the limit.  Shorter journey times are about average speed, not achieving high speed”
 
To help drivers stay safe and enjoy their driving this summer, the IAM has a new website, drivingadvice.org.uk, with traffic updates, weather forecasts, and driving tips, including: driving abroad, cycling, coping with Olympic congestion, and loading the car for a long journey.