Look after yourself
Of course, you want to look after yourself, your passengers, other road users and pedestrians etc. This section looks at all the hazards you may come across. Hazards YOU may cause as well as others. Be safe.
Don’t get distracted by your mobile or friends
Driving distractions contribute to up to 80% of road accidents...
Vulnerable road users
There are other users of our roads. Not just car drivers. Read more to find out how to treat cyclists, motorcyclists and horses on our roads.
Other guides
We have 2 other Hubs on Young Car Driver that are dedicated to driving through the different seasons of the year, and motoring offences. Work your way through them to gain a comprehensive understanding of both topics.
Top FAQs
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a common occurrence in road accidents and generally happens when one vehicle is struck from behind by another. In an accident, whilst your body is restrained by your seatbelt, your head isn’t and the “whiplash” effect is the sudden and unexpected movement of the neck. Read more about Whiplash and its symptoms in ...
Read MoreWhat’s the legal drinking limit?
Young Car Driver says ZERO. Any alcoholic drink is too much. Fact: if you drink alcohol, simply don’t drive. If you stay sober, you will help to reduce the number of young people who are killed and injured every week by drink driving. Read more about drink driving in our Safety Hub. ...
Read MoreHow much space should I give a cyclist?
Cyclists are vulnerable, so be careful and give them plenty of space. Remember they have the same rights on the road as car drivers. Look out for cyclists, especially when turning. Use your indicators. But more importantly, give them space. They have as much right to be on the road as you do. Read more in our ...
Read MoreCan I use my mobile phone whilst driving?
NO – You can’t. Its against the law. Because text messaging requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction. Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 5 seconds. At 50 mph that is the driving length of a football ...
Read MoreSafe Driving Guide
Speed kills – Driving too fast is the main cause of car crashes! 66% of all road accidents with deaths or injuries occur on roads with a speed limit of 30 mph or less. We explain the harsh reality of speeding and why driving just a bit slower can make so much difference.
Stay sober – When having a drink don’t drive, plan ahead how you will get home and only accept a lift from someone you know hasn’t been drinking. Methods have been tried for decades to sober up fast but as yet there simply is no quick way of getting “un-drunk”.
Distracted driving – What is distracted driving? Well it’s involved in 80% of all road accidents and some examples of driver distraction are; texting, using a mobile, eating and drinking, talking to passengers and grooming to name just a few.
Driving tired – Amazing but it’s the young men who are most involved in road accidents related to driving whilst being tired. Unfortunately, this kind of accident tends to be either fatal or with serious injuries.
Women driving alone – Did you know there are now more women taking the driving test than men! this means it’s more important than ever that you girls take steps to protect yourselves from potential harm. Check out the YCD top tips for staying safe when driving alone.
Cyclist –Cyclist do have the same rights as car drivers, they are vulnerable and deserve respect from all motorist. Always look out for cyclist when turning, use your indicators and give cyclist sufficient space when passing, these are just a few of the things you should do when you engage cyclist on the road.
Motorcyclist – An amazing fact; Motorcyclist only account for 1% of all road users, But incredibly they represent more than 20% of all road deaths and serious injuries. Two-thirds of motorcycle accidents are at road junctions and this is a statistic that has to be improved.
Horses – When you encounter horses and riders whilst driving always give them right of way, slowdown be patient and check out our advice both you and horse and rider safe on the road.
Whiplash – What is whiplash? It’s a soft tissue which occurs in the neck when the head has been jolted forwards. If you are involved in a car accident you may suffer from whiplash.