Eyes and mind on the job - that's the way to drive responsibly

Vision is absolutely critical to driving – and yet modern cars, and modern technology often conspire to distract us from the core business of keeping our eyes ‘out there’, on the road. Looking at some engaging piece of technology or, let’s be frank, your girlfriend’s legs

Space = safety, at any speed

Try to drive with a clear picture of what is going on around you – literally 360 degrees around you. Manufacture a buffer zone around the car, to the extent that it is possible to achieve this in some traffic environments.

Try dropping back from the car in front

p>Fifty per cent of road trauma happens at intersections – and it's easy to see why. It doesn’t happen because of a defect in the rules. It happens because some people fail to comply with their ‘give-way’ obligations, at the same time as somebody else fails to manage the risk that this might – does – happen. Expecting 100 per cent ‘give-way’ compliance by other drivers is the same as living in a fool’s paradise. Watch the video and see what can happen, and how horrible the collateral damage can be, when it all goes horribly wrong.

fting your vision: an essential, but simple, 'advanced' driving skill

Most people don’t look far enough forward or far enough around bends when they drive. Lifting and broadening your vision is a neat, simple trick that gives you more time to react to otherwise unforeseen events, or those you would otherwise

If you want to increase your chance of crashing, don't check your tyre pressures every fortnight. It's that simple. Otherwise, make sure you’re driving with the right amount of air in your tyres. Maybe it's not the sexiest thing you'll ever do, but those pressures are critical to maximising your car’s grip on the road, and its stability in corners and while braking.