MOVING OFF SAFELY

Moving off from the side of the road sounds really quite simple.
But when the correct procedure for doing so is not carried out correctly it can be fatal!
If you started the car, placed it into gear and just moved off the outcome could be catastrophic.
Was there a vehicle coming up from behind you?
Was there a vehicle coming towards you and the road was narrow causing them to be on your side of the road slightly?
Was there a pedestrian crossing the road in front of you?
Was there a cyclist, car, motorbike or any other vehicle trying to pass you?
Were there junctions on the opposite side of the road with vehicles emerging from them?
Were there driveways on either side of the road with vehicles pulling off them?

Theses are just a few examples of what could happen as you decide to move off from the side of the road.

PREPARE : OBSERVE : MOVE:

1.

Start the engine.

2.

Select an appropriate gear.

3.

Carry out a 6 point check.

4.

Signal if necessary.

5.

Move off if it is safe to do so.

5.

If unsafe, repeat from 3 before moving off.

P.O.M stands for:-
Prepare, Observe, Move

It doesn't matter how you learn this safe method of moving off, you could just as easily learn it as 1,2,3. But what is important is that you do it to remain safe!

Having entered your car, carried out the Cockpit drill to set yourself and mirrors up etc, it's now time to consider moving off.
You start the engine, place the car into 1st gear and get moving. But were totally unaware of your surroundings.

THIS PUTS YOU AND ANY OTHER ROAD USER AT RISK!

How long would it actually take you to look over your left shoulder,
look in the left door mirror,
look ahead,
look in the interior rear view mirror,
look in your right door mirror,
and then finally over your right shoulder?

Literally seconds to carry out this simple check to see if moving off would cause you to interfere with someone else.

It's not hard to do, it takes seconds, but it might just save your life or someone else's.

What it will 100% do is cause you to fail your driving test by NOT DOING IT!

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