Most drivers react to situations rather than anticipating them. "Drive more consciously and you’ll be better prepared," says Chris Gilbert of Driving 4 Tomorrow, who as a former Metropolitan Police driving instructor taught Princes William and Harry to drive.

2. Know your car

Is your car front- or rear-wheel drive? Chris says that some people don't know the answer to this basic question. "The fact is, the rear-wheel-drive car is likely to have less grip on slippery surfaces," he says.

Unfortunately, lots of drivers do ignore speed limit signs when rushing to their destination – putting themselves and others in danger. And the faster you drive, the shorter reaction time you have to prevent an accident. 

After decades of awareness campaigns, driving too fast for either the road or the driving conditions is still one of the the most common contributory factors in collisions. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) states that speeding killed almost 400 people in the UK in 2015. Wherever you're heading, it's always safer to stay within the speed limits. 

Since 1 March 2017, holding and using a phone while driving could result in a £200 fine and 6 points added to your licence. And for good reason – text driving is twice as likely to cause a crash as drink driving, due to a driver's reaction times.

Driving while using a phone impairs your driving in many ways:

Be sure to put your phone on silent or 'driving mode' when on the road. If it still distracts you, store it in the glove box. If you need to use it, stop somewhere safe to do so.

Although no specific law makes it illegal to eat and drive, doing so could present a significant danger. And despite the law, you can still be prosecuted for careless driving if not in proper control of the car.

We continuously hear of councils cracking down on speeding in their local area; it seems as if everytime you are out on the road, you spot a new speed camera or an undercover officer. Although speeding is an offence that is often taken with a pinch of salt, drivers are often unaware of the severity of being caught speeding. The fine and consequences you receive will depend on how much you were breaking the speed limit; you will fall into one of three bands.


Band A:

A is one of the most common bands that drivers fall into, in particular, when they are driving through an area, they are unaware of, or the speed limit has recently been changed. Bands are based on the speed limit of 30mph, but give a realistic insight into the consequences you may face.

If you fall into band A, it means that you are driving 31 – 40 mph in a 30 zone. Here you will be faced with three points on your licence and a fine of half of your weekly income.


Band B:

Band B indicates that your speed in a 30 mph road falls between 41 – 50 mph, so alongside with the increase in speed, comes an increase in consequences. Both your fine and number of point on your licence will double to a full week of income and four points. If your speeding caused an accident or put others in danger, you could also have your licence taken for one month. However, you will be able to get your licence back without retaking your test or re-applying for your licence.


Band C:

Band C is the most serious category of speeding; it means that you were breaking the speed limit by a dramatic amount, going anywhere from 51 mph or more in a 30 zone. You will be fined 150% of your weekly income, be faced with six points on your licence and your licence taken for up to 56 days. For a new driver, similar to driving with no car insurance, will mean that your licence will be taken off of you.

Asynchronous ideation does not occur at a specific time, but instead allows each participant to view and contribute to a shared digital space (document, message thread, or other tool) whenever they choose, over a longer period of time.

Both structures have their benefits and drawbacks, but each has its place in your UX and ideation practice