DRIVERS who overload their cars are putting themselves and their passengers at risk this summer, warns BSM.

According to the driver training specialists, they are failing to appreciate the different handling characteristics and safety requirements of overloaded vehicles.

Young people who have recently passed their tests and haven’t had any experience of carrying heavy loads are particularly at risk when they load up their surfboards and head for this year’s fashionable coastal resorts.

“Driving a fully loaded car can be like driving a completely unfamiliar one - it is a completely different animal”, said BSM’s head of road safety Keith Cameron. He offers the following advice:

• Load heavy items at the lowest possible point in the vehicle to avoid destabilising its centre of gravity

• Roof racks or boxes are ideal for bulky but light luggage, such as sleeping bags or blankets, but need to be securely fitted and the contents distributed evenly

• Pack as many loose items as possible in the boot rather than in the passenger area, but keep the emergency tool kit easily accessible

• Luggage inside the car must not obstruct the driver’s view or the proper working of the seatbelts. Don’t keep items with sharp edges in the passenger area, and keep the rear window ledge free of clutter

• Check tyre pressures. On fully loaded vehicles they need to be higher

• Practice braking and steering in advance, both need more effort

• Brake earlier on approaching a bend, accelerating gently as you pass through

• Use a lower gear, rather than brakes, to control downhill speed

• Allow more time to overtake. Check you have a sufficiently clear road ahead to do so safely

• Driving a fully loaded vehicle is more tiring, so take regular breaks

“Driving a fully-loaded car safely requires practice and new skills”, said Keith, “but following BSM’s advice should ensure a safe trip.”