Blog
Crossroads are dodgy!
Basingstoke roundabouts
Visual tricks
You know how us driving instructors are always going on about looking carefully when pulling out of a junction, or when approaching a roundabout? Did you know that your eyes (and your brain) can be easily fooled?
This Wikipedia article explains how your eye can easily miss some important information. It has an interesting blind spot test – you should try it!
The image below has pairs of dots in each corner – unless you look at the centre of the image, in which case there is only one dot at the corners.
It’s all too easy to take a quick glance at a junction, and go, when a more thorough scan of the road might save you a lot of hassle!
Check out some more illusions here.
Vehicle lights
Watch this video if you’re unsure about all the different lights on modern cars:
Pedestrian crossings
There are several types of pedestrian crossing in the UK:
- Zebra: black and white lines on the road
- Pelican: PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled (this one has a flashing amber light after you’ve waited at the red light)
- Puffin: PEdestrian User Friendly INtelligent
- Toucan: TWO CAN cross (cyclists and pedestrians)
- Equestrian or Pegasus: for horse riders in the form of a pelican crossing or puffin crossing but with higher buttons.
Youtube channels
These days there are a lot of driving instructors making videos. Here are some channels I’ve watched that are really helpful. Please let me know if you have a YouTube favourite and I will include it here.
Roundabout fun in Swindon
I’ve never driven around this, but would like to have a go!
Best used cars for learners
This What Car article lists their top ten used cars for when you take to the road on your own:
10 – Ford Ka +
9 – Vauxhall Corsa
8 – Seat Ibiza
7 – Hyundai i10
6 – Seat Mii
5 – Skoda Citygo
4 – Volkswagon Up
3 – Nissan Micra
2 – Volkswagon Polo
1 – Skoda Fabia
Surprising stopping distances
Ben Sparks explains that it might take longer to stop than you think…