Get a handle on speed

Throughout the Young Driver of the Year campaign, three professional drivers take turns in the driver’s seat to offer specialist advice on subjects Grampian Police consider important in the fight against road traffic collisions. This week, Alastair Fraser, training manager at Knockhill’s Centre for Driver Excellence, gets to grips with speed and handling

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WHETHER you agree with a speed limit or not, it is your duty as a driver to comply with it.

Speed limits are decided by local government, not by the police, although it is a police officer’s duty to enforce the legislation.

Few drivers deliberately set out to speed but, through neglect, lack of concentration and poor observation, they may find themselves above the speed limit.

Proper reading of signs and improved awareness will go a long way in keeping everyone safe and free of the dreaded points on their licence and a steep fine.

It is human nature to cheat a bit, but resist the temptation and keep to the speed limit – it is not acceptable to creep over by an extra two or three miles an hour.

A very common practice by drivers is the “constant speed”, where a car travels at, say, 45mph everywhere, whether it be a restricted road or in a national speed limit area. This is just sheer incompetence and shows that the driver is totally inattentive and not thinking about the task in hand.

Inappropriate speed can also affect a vehicle’s handling. Although difficult to define, handling is really about the vehicle’s ability to keep an effective grip on the road.

Simply driving too fast for the conditions will affect the handling. In bends, this grip can be affected by sudden changes of speed or direction, either acceleration, braking or being too rough on the steering.

The aim is to maintain a constant speed to allow maximum stability.

All changes in speed and direction should be done smoothly, regardless of the road situation or conditions.

In all driving situations, use more effective observation so you are aware of all that is going on around you.

If you are unsure of proper driving technique, take some advanced tuition; this will cover topics that are not included in the learner driver syllabus.

Be more aware and enjoy your driving.