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Have you laid your car up during lockdown? Are you thinking about resuming driving again as soon as it's socially permissible? Or now that you need to use your car to travel to work?

Either way Kent Road Safety wants you to make sure your vehicle is safe, and you are fully prepared to resume driving. To that end it is offering the following simple advice to drivers before you take to the road.

Start by giving your vehicle a good clean. That way you will be able to check that all the glass and lights are clean and things like the wipers are free to move.

While you are there check all the fluid levels, oil, windscreen wash, brake/clutch fluid and radiator water are full or topped up to the right level.

Batteries will go flat even after a short time of no use, make sure your battery is fully charged before the day you intend using the vehicle. You don’t want to discover its flat on the day!

Don’t forget the tyres, they will also need attention especially if the vehicle hasn’t moved for a week or two. Check the pressures before you drive it, and make sure they are road worthy.

Finally, documents? Mot, tax and insurance. Whilst there an extension in force relating to expired MOT certificates that doesn’t mean it applies to tax or insurance.

Nor does it allow you to drive an unroadworthy vehicle, so make double sure both you and your vehicle are in good condition and fit to drive before taking to the roads.

One last thing. The roads may be quiet but that’s no excuse to ignore the speed limit. Also, there are a lot of vulnerable road users using the road network who deserve your respect and attention.

Give cyclists and pedestrians more room, at least 1.5 meters when passing and expect the unexpected, such as pedestrians stepping off the kerb to avoid other pedestrians.

So, to sum up. Be prepared for the return to driving and respect other road users. Unpredictable or irresponsible behaviour will lead to you being involved in a crash and that will in turn put further strain on our already over stretched NHS.