It always amazes me when I walk the kids to school and see other mums and dads drive erratically with their little ones in the back. I’ve witnessed some seriously shocking driving, and some inconsiderate parking to boot. Everything, from flagrantly disregarding the law when it comes to smoking in cars with children, to blaring music, to takeaway wrappers spilling out when doors open. .

Although I’m still waiting to take my test, I’ve promised myself I won’t be one of these drivers. There is no more precious cargo than my two babies, and sloppy and preoccupied drivers scare me.

Luckily for me, Craig drives for a living so is a really conscientious driver, and it’s important to us that our vehicles (all 3 of them) are all kept in tip top condition. If anyone knows road safety, it’s my Craig. Despite being on the road for 12 hours a day, he’s never had any points on his license, and never had an accident. What are his top tips for keeping safe on the roads? He insists it starts with regularly health-checking your car.

Regular car servicing

Craig’s van will go in every 12,000 miles. This is to keep the engine lubricated, check the brakes, and replace the oil, air and fuel filters. Not only does this help identify any costly issues before they arise, it also prolongs the life of the vehicle. A standard service will set you back £100-£150 but is well worth the pennies.

Health of tyres

All tyres have to have a tread of 1.6mm by law. A quick visual check should tell you if you are within the limits, but if you are ever unsure, your local tyre retailer will confirm this.

To prolong the tread on your tyres you’ll need to regularly check the tyre pressure, as over or under inflated tyres will wear unevenly. Uneven tyre wear will ultimately affect a car’s tracking and will result in you having to replace your tyres more frequently.

Yet it’s not all about treads. Weather conditions and general wear and tear will cause tyres to perish over time, so it’s good practice to replace your tyres regularly. Thankfully, companies like DAT Tyres make it super easy to order a new set, if you simply enter your car registration no, they’ll pull up a list of recommended tyres from top brands at seriously competitive prices.

De-cluttering

Excess rubbish and clutter in cars can be really dangerous, especially if this mess is in your vehicle’s footwell. A messy and disorganised car will also serve as a distraction when you’re on the road.

MOT testing

For cars over 3 years old, it’s mandatory to have an MOT every year to ensure your car is in a safe and roadworthy condition. Brakes, bodywork, tyres, seatbelts, lights, suspension and emissions will all be checked to ensure that vehicles using the road are in a mechanically sound state. Most test centres have the capacity to arrange to fix any problems in order to get the vehicle to pass the minimum standard requirements as laid down in the MOT Test.

It goes without saying, but regular servicing and keeping on top of your car’s needs will ensure a smoother MOT, as will regularly topping up oil, water and windscreen wash.

As for driving…

Craig says:

I imagine there’s no worse feeling in the world than to have caused a fatality through negligent driving. This is why I get so frustrated when I see people on the phone when driving. A good hands-free kit is therefore an absolute must if you intend to make or receive calls on the road.

If you are driving children in your car, you can also buy mirrors that can be positioned so the driver can keep an eye on their children without having to crane their neck and take their eyes off the road. Keeping your car well-stocked with plenty of things to entertain your children will also allow you to get on with driving without any unhelpful distractions.

On the subject of distractions, it’s important to keep all your wits about you when driving, for both your safety, and that of fellow road users. Obviously an unobstructed view of the road is the most important thing, but also making sure you can hear any problems on the road, and within the car itself. Let’s face it, loud music also makes you look like a bit of prat - especially on the school run.

Your mirrors should also be your best friend. You cannot check them regularly enough, hence why driving instructors will penalise you should you fail to look at them often in a test situation. Always remember the basics when driving and the roads will be a safer place for everyone.