Section 7: Safer driving

Section 7 is about keeping the highest standards of driving and sharing the road safely, especially with pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. It also covers phones, alcohol and drugs, seat belts, windscreen clutter, tiredness, weather and the daily vehicle checks you are responsible for. Taxi drivers have the same duties in their handbook's safe driving section.

Obey the law

You must know and follow the Highway Code. Most collisions in London come from a few avoidable behaviours:

• speeding, or driving too fast for the conditions
• dangerous manoeuvres
• being distracted
• not following the rules of the road

Principle	What it means for you
Safe speeds	Stay within the limit and at a speed that suits the place, the traffic and the weather. Faster speeds give less time to react and cause worse injuries
Safe manoeuvres	Look carefully when pulling out of junctions, turning across traffic and passing cyclists or motorcyclists. Careless or dangerous driving is a serious offence
Concentration	Do not let phones, devices, music or passengers distract you

Key fact: It is illegal to use a hand-held phone or similar device while driving - including when you are stopped in a queue or at traffic lights - unless you are calling 999 in an emergency and it is unsafe or impractical to stop.

To make or take a call, stop safely, park and switch off the engine.