25 tips that will make you a better driver - page 5

Turn music down

Loud music has been found to be seriously distracting in studies, so we recommend listening to music at a modest volume while behind the wheel. It's also a good idea to hit the mute button while trying to negotiate complex city streets or when attempting tricky manoeuvres. Not only will the silence help you focus on the task at hand, you'll also be able to hear the environment around you along with audio prompts from driving aids like parking sensors.

Keep your windscreen clean

You won't be able to drive to the best of your ability if you can't see properly, so make sure the windscreen is clean before every journey. Any grime, smears and bug splatter can obscure your vision, particularly when the sun is low in the sky at dawn and dusk, and at night. This can cause your view to be distorted and cause glare, leading to fatigue or even misjudgements. To avoid this, clean the windscreen regularly both inside and out using car shampoo and glass cleaner respectively. You'll also need to top-up the windscreen washer bottle with a high quality screenwash for use while driving.
 

Do you love gadgets? We explain why having too many in your car can be illegal on page 6...