Chelmsford Advanced Motorists

The Ten Commandments of Motoring

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The Ten Commandments of motoring used to appear at the very end of the previous edition of Roadcraft - The Police Drivers' Manual. The following notes are taken from the 1990 edition, and it is well worth reminding ourselves of the disciplines that were taught to Police Drivers before Roadcraft was 'revised and aimed more at the general public'.

  1. Perfect your Roadcraft.
    Roadcraft includes every aspect of driving and can be acquired only by a systematic approach to hazards and constant application of the basic rules. Good Roadcraft enables a driver to avoid awkward and possibly dangerous situations. It not only prevents accidents but also makes driving less arduous.
    - Use your skill to stay out of trouble.
  2. Drive with deliberation and overtake as quickly as possible.
    Good driving demands continual planning and correct decisions which must be put into operation with deliberation. There is no place for the half-hearted manoeuvre born of doubt or uncertainty. If it is not completely safe it should not be attempted at all.
    Overtaking should always be completed in the minimum of time to leave the road clear for approaching or following vehicles.
    - Deliberation eliminates uncertainty. When safe, GO.
  3. Develop car sense and know the capabilities of your vehicle.
    Car sense is the ability to get the best from the vehicle without jerks or vibration. Before a strange vehicle is driven fast the driver should accustom himself to its controls, acceleration and braking capabilities and handling characteristics. Never expect more from them than they are able to give. Vehicles, like drivers, have their limitations.
    - Driver and vehicle must blend to ensure skilful driving.
  4. Give proper signals; use the horn and headlights thoughtfully.
    Use the signals given in the Highway Code. An ambiguous signal is misleading and dangerous. Use of the horn is a form of signalling much neglected by some and overdone by others. It should be used as a person would use his voice, neither aggressively nor rudely. Flashing the lights is an efficient form of signalling at night and on fast roads.
    - Give good signals in good time.
  5. Concentrate all the time to avoid accidents.
    Concentration is the keystone of good driving. It is a primary duty but often a neglected one. Complete concentration will ensure that every detail is observed. It is often the smallest detail that gives the clue to what is about to happen. If it is missed an accident, or at least an unpleasant experience, may result.
    - Concentration assists observation.
  6. Think before acting.
    The good driver makes progress so smoothly and with so little apparent fuss or effort that to the uninitiated he appears to respond to situations automatically. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The fact is that by continuous concentration and thought he has raised his driving to a fine art.
    Every hazard and driving operation presents problems which can only be solved by thinking. A thoughtful driver applies the appropriate features of the System, carries out every operation and manoeuvre in plenty of time and consequently is always in the right place at the right moment.
    - Think and avoid accidents.
  7. Exercise restraint and hold back when necessary.
    To hold back is to follow a vehicle at a safe distance until road and traffic conditions allow it to be overtaken. This will call for restraint especially when in a hurry. Overtaking or any other manoeuvre must never be attempted unless it can be completed with 100 percent safety. Accidents are caused because a situation has been wrongly assessed.
    - Whenever in doubt, wait.
  8. Corner with safety.
    Driving around a curve demands the application of the principles for cornering and a thorough knowledge of the forces acting on the vehicle. The most common faults are entering too fast or accelerating before the exit is clearly seen.
    - Lose your speed or lose the car.
  9. Use speed intelligently and drive fast only in the right places.
    High speeds are safe only when a clear view is available for a considerable distance and there is time to assess each hazard as it appears, but speed at all times must be related to view. Safety with speed depends largely upon ability to recognise danger and to slow down in good time.
    - Any fool can drive fast enough to be dangerous.
  10. Know the Highway Code and put it into practice.
    The Highway Code sets out rules for safety on the road. A failure to observe them could establish liability in any legal proceedings. The rules must be known and complied with if a driver's own behaviour is to be beyond reproach and he can presume to advise others. The Highway Code urges all to be courteous. A good driver goes farther and acknowledges courtesies extended to him.
    - Drive according to the Highway Code and you will drive safely.