Newbury and Thatcham Driving School

Nobody likes to be told what they can and can't do - but when that advice could help you save money on your car insurance, and even be potentially life saving, then it's worth listening to.

In 2008, the number of deaths on the UK's roads dropped to its lowest annual total since records began in 1926 with Department for Transport statistics showing that 28,567 people were killed or seriously injured last year - seven per cent fewer than in 2007. The fall in numbers is attributed largely to road safety strategies but this isn't a time for drivers to rest on their laurels - instead it's vital new drivers do all they can to abide by the rules of the road and avoid making potentially fatal mistakes.

Do not… drink or take drugs and then drive

In the UK the drink driving limit is: 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath; or 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood; or 107 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine.

According to road safety charity Think!, if you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit you are 30 times more likely to cause a road crash than a driver who hasn't been drinking. Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive by reducing your reaction times. So the safest way to drive is to not drink at all - if you're having a night out then arrange for a taxi home or choose a designated driver among your party that does not drink.

Driving while unfit due to drugs is also against the law. Drugs can slow reaction times; cause poor concentration; confuse your thinking; lead to sleepiness behind the wheel and over confidence. It's not just illegal drugs that are dangerous either - many prescription medicines can cause drowsiness so always read the label before driving.

Do not… use a mobile phone while driving

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), drivers that use a mobile phone are less aware of what's happening around them; fail to see road signs; fail to maintain road position and speed; and are more likely to tailgate.

On December 1, 2003, a law was implemented prohibiting drivers from using handheld devices in the UK. The penalty for being caught currently stands at a £60 fine and three points on a driving licence.

However, according to RoSPA the risks are not drastically reduced by using a hands-free phone. So ideally switch your phone off while driving.

Do not… drive while tired

The road safety charity estimates that driver sleepiness contributes to one fifth of accidents on major roads and 300 deaths a year. So if you feel yourself getting sleepy behind the wheel, find a safe place to stop and take a break - a brief power nap could be all you need to reawaken your senses. If you have no choice but to continue driving then open a window, turn up the radio and do all you can to concentrate on the road.

Do not… speed

Think! also suggests that driving too fast contributes to more than 727 road deaths each year and in 2007 it was reported as a contributory factor in 13 per cent of fatal accidents.

There is an incremental danger the faster you drive - for example hitting a child at 30mph gives them an 80 per cent chance of survival, but at 40mph there is an 80 per cent chance they will die. So remember that speed limits are there for your safety as well as that of pedestrians and other road users and stick to them.

Speeding while driving will also impact your car insurance premiums - if you are caught speeding your premiums may rise sharply and if you have several offences on your record you may even be refused a quote altogether.