Football Is Back!

27th August 2024

The break between the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons have felt like forever, but football is back!!!

Supporters are expected to travel more than 300 miles to away games over the new season, and many of the fans are travelling by car. We want to remind fans to remember the rules of the motorway to stay safe.

Check your vehicle

Tyres – if you don’t own a tread wear indicator, place a 20p coin into the main grooves. If you can’t see the outer rim of the coin, with the ‘twenty pence’ engraved, then the tyre is comfortably above the legal minimum tread depth. Checking the pressure is essential for the load. You can check and inflate your tires at most fuel and service stations.

Fuel – Ensure you have enough fuel to get to your destination, as this avoids breaking down on busy roads or motorways.

Oil – Use your dipstick to check the oil before any long journey and top up if needed. Remember, some newer vehicles don’t have dipsticks and use dashboard vehicle check systems instead. Refer to your vehicle manual for details.

Screen Wash – To ensure you have good visibility, always keep your screen wash topped up so you can clear any debris or dirt off your windscreen. Remember to also check your windscreen wiper blades to ensure they’re not dirty, worn or damaged.

Lights – If your indicators, hazard lights, headlights, fog lights, reverse lights or brake lights aren’t working properly, you’re putting yourself and others at risk. This one is extremely important, as your lights are not only essential for you but for other drivers to understand how you’re driving and how you intend to manoeuvre.

Tips for Motorway Driving

Never drive in a lane closed by a red X.

Keep to the speed limits shown on the gantries or signs.

A hard shoulder is always identified by a solid white unbroken line – if there’s no speed limit displayed above it or a red X is displayed, do not use it except in an emergency.

If the hard shoulder is being used as an extra lane, use the designated emergency areas for emergencies

If your vehicle experiences difficulties, exit the motorway immediately, if you can safely do so.

In honour of the Premier League season starting and 3 matches into the Championship season, we asked our lovely instructors outside their local football stadium with their car and the best photos wins an instructor a £30 gift voucher of their choice!

The runner-up for this competition is:

David Hutchinson, Sunderland

And the winner is:

Paul Edwards, Teesside

LOOK AT THAT SKILL!