Moving off 2

Keep your speed up with the traffic, right gears for the conditions, clutch, brakes, accelerator smoothly, observing traffic all time, careful of road positioning, tidy in lane , clear of parked cars, stopping at junctions and lights, assess the need to apply the handbrake and put the gearbox into neutral at each halt. If more than 20-30 seconds wait - handbrake, gears.

Look out for people still sitting in the cars parked on your left, they may open a door or suddenly pull out without looking or indicating.

Place the car carefully, clear of parked cars yet to left of centre line. Narrow roads it may be necessary to compromise the space you leave on your left but be very alert if doing so and watch out for cyclists moving in on your left.

Allow time to plan arrival at the traffic lights, which lane in, stop clear enough of car in front so you can see it's wheels on the road, is stop long enough to need the use of the handbrake and gearbox to neutral, prepare to move off as the lights start to turn green.
 
Usually clear road markings advising you of directions or hazards, Look out, take note, they are there to help you.

Check:

• Position
• Gears
• Traffic flow
• Road markings
• Traffic signals
• Stopping places
• Handbrake?
• Gears? 

Remember “rubber on the road”.....

Article © Graham Benge 2007