Be a Confident Driver

Summary:
Teach Yourself - the world's leading learning brand - is relaunched in 2010 as a multi-platform experience that will keep you motivated to achieve your goals. Let our expert author guide you through this brand new edition, with personal insights, tips, energising self-tests and summaries throughout the book. Go online at www.teachyourself.com for tests, extension articles and a vibrant community of like-minded learners. And if you don't have much time, don't worry - every book gives you 1, 5 and 10-minute bites of learning to get you started.

With over 95% of accidents caused by preventable human error, insurance costs increasing yearly by 20% and few drivers willing to spare the time or money for an advanced driving course, Better Driving is an essential book that will be suitable for almost every motorist, whether newly qualified or with many years' experience. It it not only targeted at those who want to learn advanced techniques, but all those who lack confidence either overall or in specific areas. It covers not only the basic advanced driving techniques, but also introduces mental strategies such as observation and cynicism. It will cover such practical scenarios as bad weather driving and breakdowns, and provide advice for every driving environment, from rural roads and motorways to urban roads and driving abroad. With plenty of supporting resource material, including further reading and useful diagrams, it will be an ideal companion for motorists old and new.

• Designed for the many thousands of drivers who lack confidence but who cannot afford the time or the £100+ required to take a course

• Covers not only the technical skills necessary but also gives confidence boosting support and mental techniques

• Offers strategies for every driving scenario, from rural roads to motorways and urban environments, and in every form of weather

• Will enable drivers to adopt accident prevention techniques - 95% of accidents are caused by preventable human error (thus lowering insurance, fuel use, etc)

• Authored by an IAM graduate, it will cover everything featured in the courses run by both the IAM and RoSPA - for a fraction of the cost

Table of Contents:
what makes a better driver?
the right stuff
consideration
observation
eyesight
mirrors
how far away?
blind spots
concentration
drink, drugs and illness
know your car
why we need gears
control
manual gearboxes
automatic gearboxes
using automatics
driven wheels
what’s the diff?
steering
electronic driving aids
security devices
getting comfortable
how things adjust
when to adjust
odd sizes
safety gear
belt up
hugged to death
UK child seat laws
loads
planning a journey
dangers of autopilot
direction signs
paper planning
electronic route planning
satellite navigation
traffic information
setting out and urban driving
regular checks
starting
fuel
look around you
signal, manoeuvre
eye contact and courtesy
cut and thrust
his fault?
find calm and escape
speed
steering
schools
keep back
77
helping the car
turn off pollution
junctions
room to turn
when to signal
right turns
roundabouts
open wide
long and slow
traffic lights
green for danger
pedestrian crossings
night driving
parking
narrow gaps
personal security
modern highwaymen
emergency vehicles
dual-carriageways and motorways
using sliproads
speed
keep your distance
hazards on the move
looking ahead
lane discipline
changing lanes
large vehicles
overtaking on the left
roadworks
night driving
leaving motorways
service areas
long-distance driving
rural roads
speed
vacant vacationers
observation
overtaking
animals
bends
junctions
single track roads
loose surfaced roads
loose chippings
hills
night driving
vulnerable road users
fire and water
pedestrians
retire gracefully
disabilities
two-wheelers
horse-riders
farm animals
bad weather
before you go
defrosting
161
foglamp abuse
vision
fog
high risk fog
snow
false security
show chains and studs
pulling away
ice
fooling electronics
black ice
rain
the great unwashed
deep wading
wind
heat
skidding
terms explained
skid pans
causes
round the bend
the psychology of avoidance
correcting a skid
doing nothing
breakdowns and accidents
essential equipment
what to do at a breakdown
hard shoulders
ordinary roads
personal security
changing a wheel
alternative spares
the wrong fuel
a touch of glass
driving windowless
mechanical breakdown
battery problems
modern methods
accidents
legal requirements
at the scene
leaving the scene
driving abroad
insurance
fuel
language
the wrong side
foreign familiarity
acclimatizing
hire cars
back home
training
keeping up
Pass Plus
teaching others
IAM
RoSPA
specialist training
towing the line
taking it further
glossary
index

About the Author(s):
John Henderson is a freelance journalist and photographer specializing in motoring journalism and equestrian photography. Since 1982 he has written on motoring for a wide range of provincial and national titles and before going freelance in 1990 was a road tester on 'Motor' and deputy editor of 'Performance Car'.

Readership:
Those interested in improving and refining their driving techniques