Motoring

Be ready for a diversion

If you were driving somewhere unfamiliar, would you be cool or stressed out?

This month I have been driving around 20-30 miles a day, visiting family, or getting into Uni.

I’m not going to lie to you, I have definitely got sloppy when it comes to preparing for a familiar route.

Therefore, my new motoring mantra: “Am I road ready?”

My daily commute along the A421 from Milton Keynes to Buckingham has had a couple of recent road closures due to roadworks and an accident at one of junctions.

Sometimes a familiar route can change without warning. On Thursday an unforeseen road closure meant I was forced to take a new route. It highlighted again that I often jump in the car and never stop to plan a journey.

This driving experience in the end, actually highlighted a few motoring recommendations for me to improve on.

Lesson 1: Plug my mobile phone in up front instead of leaving it in my bag somewhere in the boot of my car and wow, it will also charge my phone too!

Lesson 2: Update your contacts on your phone so it has useful phone numbers for your boss, so you can let people know your stuck in traffic.

Lesson 3: When driving along a muddy lane, with pot holes, slow down and watch out for cyclists because they are often aiming to avoid pot holes too and can suddenly swerve out.

Remember: “Your hazard perception observations need to be switched on. RED ALERT! Local pedestrians will be unaware that extra vehicles are rushing into their village, after a sudden main road diversion.”

Top Driving Tip: In the daytime observe the way the hedgerows curve ahead of you to understand the way the road will bend. Look ahead for houses and street lamps too which can give you clues about the road layout and changes ahead. I found this useful link while writing this blog today. There will be a similar website in all counties. Useful link: Wet and windy driving tips bucksfire.gov.uk

I learnt just how much I was relying on my local knowledge of the sprawling hamlets that lie to the south of the A421. If this had been a journey in new territory, then I would not have been as confident.

Thank you for following my blog. Wishing you positive motoring trips wherever you go. JMH.