Simple driving ‘tea’ method ‘will really help you out’ says instructor

A driving instructor has encouraged motorists to try a simple “tea” technique that she says can make driving easier – and it may even help learner drivers pass their practical test.

Posting on TikTok, Aman Sanghera, founder of Clearview Driving, said the method “will really help you out.” The London-based instructor began sharing lessons and practical tips online during the pandemic, uploading advice to her YouTube channel to keep teaching.

Her motoring and driving lessons content has since taken off, racking up 2,158,822,249 views on YouTube alone – that’s more than 2.15 billion.

In her TikTok video, she explains: “If you are somebody who really struggles to brake smoothly, you always get told that you’re braking too late or you’re braking too hard, you’re steering too suddenly, or even jolting the car as you’re going through each of the gears, this trick will really help you out.”

The motoring expert explained: “Imagine you’re sitting in the car and you’ve got a cup of tea filled to the top and you’ve got about an inch where there is a little gap at the top. Try to imagine that cup of tea is there, and you do not want to spill it.

“So when you see a traffic light in the distance going red, you want to start braking early, so you get a smooth, gradual, controlled stop. Wth that cup of tea, you’re going to have a little bit of sway as you’re breaking, but it won’t be enough for it to spill over the edge.

“Even with your steering, try and steer gradually so you’re not spilling that cup of tea – imagine it’s there in your car the whole time. Honestly, you will notice that your drive is so much smoother if you always think of a cup of tea – and this is exactly why you’ll always hear me say to my students don’t spill my cup of tea.”

Remember your stopping distance

According to Kwik Fit, the stopping distance is the total distance a car travels before it comes to a complete stop. It includes the distance covered while the driver reacts to a hazard (thinking distance) and the distance travelled once the brakes are applied (braking distance).

Overall stopping distance depends on the driver’s reaction time, the condition and type of vehicle, the weather and road conditions, and the car’s speed. It warns: “Worn or incorrectly-inflated tyres pose a serious risk, not only to drivers and their passengers but to other road users and pedestrians too. Both issues affect the way your tyre is able to grip the road and expel water through its tread in wet driving conditions.”

For this reason, it’s important to regularly check your tyres to make sure they’re safe and roadworthy. If you’re worried about their condition and want expert guidance on the best tyres for your car, book an appointment at your local garage.