In heavy rain, the road will be wet and there may be pooling surface water. This will reduce the grip the tyres have on the road and will at least double the distance it takes to stop. Take this increased stopping distance into account while driving. Double the separation distance you'd leave in dry conditions.

When following a large vehicle, keep well back. If you're too close, you won't be able to see the road ahead and the driver of the long vehicle might not be able to see you in their mirrors.

If you feel drowsy while driving on a motorway, find a safe and legal place to park as soon as you can. This will mean either leaving the motorway at the next exit or pulling in at the next service area.

Normally, you should travel in the left-hand lane and use the right-hand lane only for overtaking or turning right. Move back into the left-hand lane as soon as it's safe, but don't cut across the path of the vehicle you've just overtaken.

If you have to pass an obstruction, such as a parked vehicle on your side of the road, you'll need to cross, either partly or fully, to the other side of the road. This could put you at risk from approaching traffic. You should give way to oncoming traffic if there isn't enough room for you both to continue safely.

On a busy motorway, traffic may travel at high speeds despite the vehicles being close together. Don't follow too close to the vehicle in front. If a driver directly behind seems to be too close to you, increase your distance from the vehicle in front by slowing down gently. If the traffic in front slows, you'll be able to spread your braking over a longer distance. This will reduce the risk of the driver behind being unable to stop in the room they've allowed.

Tyres won't grip the road surface so well in wet weather or on loose road surfaces. On wet roads, it's recommended that you allow at least double the stopping distance you would leave in dry conditions.

If you stop for pedestrians and they don't start to cross, be patient and don't wave them across or sound your horn. This could be dangerous if another vehicle is approaching and hasn't seen or heard your signal.

If you're driving along a main road and find you need to turn around and drive in the opposite direction, you'll have to find a safe place to turn. Don't attempt to turn around on the main road but find a quiet side road. Choose a place where you won't obstruct an entrance or exit. Look out for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, as well as other traffic.

You need to allow extra room in case the side wind blows the rider across the lane and into your path. Additionally, the draught from your vehicle could further buffet and unbalance the rider.

When driving in traffic, keep within your lane. Driving in the centre of your lane ensures there's as much space as possible between you and the traffic on either side. You should always follow the lane markings, which are there for two reasons: they make the best possible use of road space and they guide the traffic.

On a three-lane motorway, you should travel in the left-hand lane unless you're overtaking. This applies regardless of the speed at which you're travelling.

Serious incidents have occurred when vehicles or people on the hard shoulder have been struck by vehicles using the left-hand lane of the motorway. While using the emergency telephone, be alert and watch for approaching traffic.

Traffic-calming measures are used to make the roads safer for vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, pedestrians and children. They can be designed as chicanes, road humps or other obstacles that encourage drivers and riders to slow down.

The hard shoulder of a motorway that's not subject to smart motorway technology is only to be used in an emergency or if you break down. Roadside emergency telephones are placed about one mile apart and they connect directly to a control centre. The control centre will know your exact location from the telephone you're using and will inform the appropriate emergency services for you. Never cross the carriageway to use a telephone on the other side.

Sometimes road markings can be obscured by queuing traffic, or you may be unsure which lane you need to be in. If you realise too late that you're in the wrong lane, don't cut across lanes or bully other drivers to let you in. Follow the lane you're in and find somewhere safe to turn around if you need to.

It takes more time to overtake a long vehicle than a small one, such as a car. Before overtaking, you need to be able to see far enough ahead to know that you have the space and time to complete the manoeuvre safely. Hazards to watch for include oncoming traffic, junctions, bends or dips (which could restrict your view), and any signs or road markings prohibiting overtaking.

You should always give cyclists plenty of room when you're overtaking them. When it's windy, you need to allow enough room in case a sudden gust blows them off course and into your path.

It can be worrying if the driver behind hasn't left enough room to stop if you have to brake hard - for example, in an emergency. Driving defensively, you should give yourself a greater safety margin by easing back from the vehicle in front. If an emergency arises, you'll be able to slow down more gradually, giving the driver behind more time to respond.

Be aware that other traffic might still be clearing the junction. When the green light shows, make sure the way is clear before continuing.