#3500 lives – what are your tips for safe driving?

The first thing is to ensure your vehicle (and caravan where applicable) is fully and properly maintained in every aspect.  Don't rely on 1.6mm tyre tread depths -  I discard my tyres at a minimum depth of 3mm, based on the wear/performance graphs of the tyre manufacturers.

Drive in accordance with the Highway Code, don't speed and always maintain an adequate stopping distance from the vehicle ahead.

Don't allow yourself to drive to the point where you are tired, and plan frequent 'coffee break' stops on a long journey.

Always plan your route ahead and allow for possible delays along the way, and never place yourself in a situation where you feel that you must meet a tight time schedule.

Always be alert and anticipate danger. For example if a ball comes into the road good chances are a child will follow. Always keep distance. Use all your mirrors. Always watch your speed and drive as conditions demand. Always expect drivers to do something stupid. 

Much good advice above. The particular thing that underpins virtually all of it is good observation. This involves extending where you look and in some situations particularly non urban,  improving sight lines by vehicle positioning. For example your forward view will be compromised if you are too close to the vehicle in front and by moving closer to the kerb you may be able to see round a bend sooner or indeed past the vehicle in front. There are many tricks for example you can see a joining vehicles wheels turning before you can identify whole vehicle movement. 

Extended forward observation has advantages irrespective of whether you  are towing, or in a van  car or motorcycle. Police advanced drivers are trained to look very far ahead and process what they observe into a rolling driving plan.

Less experienced drivers drive reactively which is less safe and less relaxing. 

My brother said  to me the other day that 40 years ago someone told him to treat everyone on the road as an idiot, because most the time you will be right.  I asked him who told him that and he said 'you'!

Never knew I was so clever!

I remember someone telling me that too!  I also told my children to ALWAYS indicate a change of direction because even if they were doing something silly at least everyone else would know! 

Always have a 'way out' of every situation.

36 Posts and nobody has mentioned it ..

WEIGHT 

With so many of the new MH's being advertised as under 3500kg how many people actually bother to take the MH fully loaded with everything you are taking with you, including passengers, the dog, food, water, bikes, awning etc etc down to the weigh bridge and get it

WEIGHED

A 3500Kg MH with a 275Kg payload is useless and all you are doing is putting other peoples lives at risk by overloading it. 

Not necessarily. Most MHs plated at 3500kg actually have a design weight of 3650/ 3700kg and as such, although illegal if exceeding their plated weight, they may still be operating within their design limits.
I totally agree that a lot of 3500kg MHs are probably not fit for purpose.

Dependent on what licence you have. Someone who has lost his C1 licence or someone new to MH's can drive one up to 3500Kg but they will be breaking the law if they are over the magic number.

If you are overweight you may not be Insured if you have an accident. 

Set out in good time and relax, don't be in such a rush.