Modern cars are equipped with safety features aimed at maximizing your protection. It’s essential to wear your seat belt and ensure that your passengers do the same (unless exempt). As the driver, it’s your responsibility to ensure that children under 14 wear appropriate restraints. If a suitable child restraint is unavailable in the rear seat, they must use an adult seat belt.
Never install a rear-facing baby seat in a seat protected by an active airbag, as this could lead to fatal injuries. The airbag must be deactivated beforehand.
Self-reflection: Neglecting to wear a seat belt can have severe consequences for you, your passengers, and other road users. Have you ever driven without wearing a seat belt? How would you feel if you or someone else were injured in a road traffic incident? Remember, being caught without wearing a seat belt could result in a fine of up to £500.
Upon entering the car:
- Adjust the seat for comfort and reach of controls.
- Adjust the head restraint to reduce the risk of neck injury in a collision.
- Wear appropriate footwear to maintain control of the pedals.
- Adjust mirrors to optimize visibility. Note that convex mirrors provide a wider view but may make vehicles appear farther away. If visibility is limited when reversing, seek guidance from someone outside the vehicle.
In poor visibility conditions, use dipped headlights to ensure other road users can see you. In thick fog, utilize your fog lights.
When parking on a two-way road at night, park in the direction of traffic flow. If the speed limit exceeds 30 mph, activate your parking lights.
Hazard warning lights are intended for signaling hazards such as breakdowns or queuing traffic on dual carriageways or motorways. Avoid using them as an excuse for illegal parking, even momentarily.