Driving like most things becomes routine and bad habits are easily formed so here are some simple strategies to help make our roads safer for you and all other road users writes Geraldine Herbert Skills that put you in control Consider taking an Advanced driving course, these courses cover types of driving that aren’t typically included in standard driving lessons and can improve your confidence on the road and your knowledge of how to drive in challenging environments. The  Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM RoadSmart course is accredited by the DVSA and takes three to six months to complete, and once finished you could receive a discount on your car insurance. Follow the three-second rule Driving too close behind the car in front is also known as tailgating which increases your chances of having an accident. By leaving an adequate distance between you and the car in front this means you will have adequate time to break or react if necessary. When the car ahead of you passes a certain point, such as a road sign or a lamp post, count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand- three.” This takes approximately three seconds. If you pass the same point before you finish counting, you are following too closely. The rule only works in normal traffic under good weather conditions so in heavy rainfall or fog increase the number of seconds depending on how extreme the weather is. Slow down The faster you drive your car, the longer it takes to stop so ensure at all times that your speed matches the conditions of the road. When there’s rain or snow, or if it’s dark, slow down Remember also that speeding not only increases your chances of an accident but it also means you use more fuel and it may lead to fines, penalty points and even disqualification Hidden dangers of driveways The majority of child fatalities in the UK occur in a built-up area and at least 39 children in the UK have been killed on, or near, the driveways of their home since 2001. Most of these accidents occur where the driver is reversing and is unable to see a child behind the car. Before you begin to drive check around your car and reverse slowly with the windows down and the radio off. Car Sear Safety  By law, it’s the driver’s legal...