Forty years ago I started learning to drive and passed the driving test. Since then, I’ve driven more than a million miles, mostly in Britain, but also coast-to-coast across America and numerous journeys in other countries.

Driving has transformed and empowered my life, giving me the freedom to get to any place, any time, either socially or for business. It’s had an enormous influence on my career, enabling me to take jobs which required mobility and, when self-employed, accept projects at any location and any time.

I’ve supported ageing relatives when their mobility became restricted. Being able to drive means I can respond to any call for help and support, almost regardless of distance.

Over that time, my fleet of almost 40 vehicles has embraced a huge range, from a ’58 Wolseley 1500, to convertible sports cars, a Transit van, and even a Rolls-Royce – every one a delight to use.

And, despite what the doom-mongers say, it has been astonishingly safe. I’ve driven more than 100,000 journeys. In none of those did I suffer serious or even slight injury. And I didn’t injure anyone else.

I may have exceeded the speed limit on occasions, but on many more occasions have stayed well below it – speed limits don’t themselves improve road safety; every road has an appropriate safe speed at each point in time. If it’s outside the school-gates during term-time and it’s dark, wet and slippery, the appropriate speed is probably well below that on any sign. But on a bright summer Sunday morning, on an empty dual-carriageway, it’s a different matter.

I’m sure the ‘green’ brigade will furrow their brows in disapproval, but the truth is that you can’t un-invent personal transport, you learn to live with it and make it as safe as you can.

Whenever I speak to teenagers embarking on driving lessons, I point out that the driving test is the most important exam they’ll ever take, in terms of its impact on their life – it beats GCSE media studies hands down! But passing your driving test doesn’t mean you know it all. You never stop learning to drive. Every time you get behind the wheel, there are opportunities to experience new situations and improve your ability to respond safely. Driving technology changes all the time, as does the layout of roadways, and every driver must stay alert to these changes.

Driving is to be enjoyed – it should never be an onerous duty or a frightening experience.

If you set out to enjoy this life-long learning experience, to continue developing your skills and appreciate how safe and rewarding the modern road journey can be, then you may come to celebrate your first million miles, and more, just as I have, with immense satisfaction and the keen anticipation of many more miles in years to come.