ADVANCED driving inspector Alan Nelson is on a mission to improve road safety and reduce traffic-related tragedies in Tynedale.

In this week's Hexham Courant  find out how reporter Joseph Tulip fared when his motoring skills were put to the test during a road trip with Alan, a retired traffic policeman.

In the meantime, Alan has offered some of his top tips for road safety.

1. Thirty means third: stick to third gear in a 30mph limit to maintain control in a residential area; this also makes it easier to accelerate away once the speed restriction has ended. 

2. Looking back over your shoulder: checking for blind spots could save lives. 

3. See the signs: observation of everything in sight is key to decision-making.

4. Plan your journey in advance: whether you use maps or embrace technology, make sure your sat-nav is updated to avoid ventures into the unknown. 

5. Keep calm at all times to systematically manage all situations, even when you encounter bad drivers.

6. Consider taking part in an advanced driving session to learn more about road safety and change your approach to driving for the better.