Car driving tips: moving off safely. 04/06/14


Moving off safely may be second nature to an experienced car driver, but it is surprising how many people fail to take the proper precautions and cause road accidents when performing this basic manoeuvre.

If you were taking your driving test, your examiner would be checking three key things when moving from a stationary position.

  • Your observation. If you make the correct visual checks before moving off

  • Your Accuracy. Whether or not you judge the distances and speeds of other vehicles correctly

  • Your ability to control your vehicle. How you use your vehicle controls to perform the manoeuvre


Your vehicle should be ready to move when when it is safe to do so.

You will need to have your vehicle in first gear and up to the bite point, whilst having your left hand on the hand brake (which should be on) and your right hand on the wheel at the 2 o'clock position.

If necessary put on the relevant indicator to show that you are pulling out from a parked position. Indicating is not always required but it can be done anyway as a precaution to warn other drivers that you are about to move off.

Check all your mirrors but particularly the one on the side the traffic is approaching from. Also glance over your shoulder to check your blind spot before looking forward to start your manoeuvre. Be especially careful to check for pedestrians and cyclists.

If you are pulling out into a traffic flow, allow plenty of time to manoeuvre your vehicle without forcing other drivers to slow down.

Release the hand brake and pull away promptly when safe to do so, but check your rear view mirror in case you need to accelerate more quickly to join following traffic.



No need to claim on your insurance

Anyone who has been involved in a road accident has the right to choose who repairs their vehicle. If you were responsible for the accident you were involved in, the company that insures your vehicle would normally deal with your accident claim.

However if you were not at-fault for the accident, you can choose to either claim on your own insurance policy or make a claim independently of your insurer. To find out more call 02392 484 244 and we will be happy to help.

We and our partners help thousands of people make independent accident claims. Our service enables motorists to get the help and assistance they need to resolve their accident related issues, with the costs being recovered directly from the at-fault driver on your behalf.

No excess to pay

Unfortunately even if an accident was not your fault, your insurer will almost certainly require you to pay your excess before any repair is started on your car.

This money should of course be recovered by an insurer at a later date, but with our service - you do not have to pay it at all.

By using our independent claims service, you are not making a claim on your insurance policy and so you will have no excess to pay.

Receive a comparable replacement hire vehicle

Not all insurance policies will include a replacement hire-car for you to use if yours is damaged and unroadworthy. In fact it is typically an 'optional extra' on your policy.

Other policies may offer a 'courtesy car' but this is often just a 'basic' saloon or hatchback which may not be suitable for your needs.

Car Call and its partners will provide a comparable replacement vehicle as part of our service. This means we will endeavour to supply a hire-vehicle that similar to your own in terms of its type, make and engine size.

So whether you drive a small hatchback or a prestige sports car, we will look to provide a similar hire-vehicle that suits your needs.

Manufacturer approved vehicle repairs

If you have been involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the quality of the repairs to your car. We have a UK wide network of partner approved Accident Repair Centres available to all of our customers.

Many of our accident repair centres are have manufacturer approvals for specific brands, so if you require a manufacturer approved repair centre, simply tell your personal claim handler and they will ensure your vehicle goes to an approved repairer.

Want you vehicle repaired by a specific garage? No problem, we can alternatively use a repairer that you specify.

Legal Assistance

Our partner solicitors provide legal assistance as part of our service. They specialise in motor claims related issues, so you can be assured of the best possible advice and assistance.

They issues they can assist you with include:

  • Recovery of the cost of the replacement hire-vehicle
  • Recovery of the cost of uplifting your damaged vehicle
  • Recovery of all repair costs
  • Recovery of the cost of damaged of personal items
  • Seeking financial compensation for an injury