4. safety margins Flashcards
when your travelling downhill how can you keep control of your car and control your speed? (2)
- selecting a lower gear
- braking gently
what is coasting and why should you not do it?
travelling in neutral or with the clutch pressed down as it reduces your control
what is the overall stopping distance?
the distance your car travels from the moment you realise you must break to the moment the vehicle stops
when rainy what gap should you leave between you and the car infront?
4 seconds
when its icy what gap should you leave between you and the car in front?
20 seconds
how should you drive in freezing weather?
- use highest gear you can
- brake gently w plenty of time
- be prepared to stop and clear snow if your windscreen wipers can’t
how should you drive when its foggy?
- allow more time for your journey
- slow down as less visibility
- increase gap between you and the vehicle in front of you
- used dipped headlights even in daylight
- use fog lights if visibility is below 100m
what is aquaplaning?
during heavy rain tyres may lift off the road and skate on top of the water makes the steering light
how do you deal with aquaplaning?
- ease off the accelerator
- don’t brake until steering feels normal again
what should you do with your brakes if you are driving through deep water (e.g. ford or flood)
test your brakes and if needed dry them out by pressing lightly on the brake pedal as you go along
why can hot weather be dangerous?
road surface may become soft and tyres may not grip as well, can affect your braking and steering
if its bright sunlight that dazzles and other drivers can’t see your indicators what can you consider doing?
using an arm signal
why are high winds dangerous?
can blow you off course esp on an open stretch of road
which types of vehicles to high winds effect most? (3)
- high-sided vehicles
- motorcyclists
- cyclists
how should you pass high-sided vehicles, motorcyclists, cyclists in high winds?
be careful as can be blown off course by a sudden gust so allow extra room and check your left side as you pass them
what condiditions make skidding more likely?
- wet
- icy
what sign shows you you are on black ice (as it is invisible)?
steering becomes light
how can you reduce the risk of skidding and wheelspin by driving?
- at a low speed
- in as high a gear as possible
how do you reduce the chance of skidding?
scan the road for clues e.g. road signs and markings so your not taken by surprise you can
- slow down gradually before you reach a hazard e.g. bend
- avoid sudden steering movements
what should you do if you do start to skid?
- release the footbrake and reapply gently
- steer smoothly in direction of the skid - e.g. if back of the car skids to the right steer carefully to the right and vice versa
what can ABS (anti-lock braking system) do?
- reduce risk of skidding if you have to brake suddenly
- sensors in the wheel anticipate when it is about to lock
- allows you to contrinue to steers while braking as wheels made to not lock
what should you do if your driving as vehicle with ABS?
- apply footbrake rapidly and firmly
- don’t release the brake pedal until you’ve stopped
when may ABS not be effective?
- if there is surface water
- if there is a loose road surface
what is ABS?
anti-lock braking system
