Alertness Flashcards
In which of these situations would you avoid overtaking?
Before overtaking you need to ask yourself whether you really need to overtake, whether the situation is safe, and whether it is legal. Only overtake where you have a clear view of the road both ahead and to the sides. If in doubt don’t overtake.
If you cannot see clearly behind your vehicle before or during a reversing manoeuvre what action should you take?
Ask someone to help you.
You will often have to reverse; this might be because you want to turn your car around, you could be entering or leaving a car parking space, backing into a garage or any number of other situations. When reversing it’s essential to know what’s behind, if you can’t see clearly you run the risk of reversing into a ditch, hitting a low wall or concrete post or worse than any of these, hitting a pedestrian or a cyclist. Children can be particularly difficult to see behind the car.
Why is it important to use your mirror when you see a hazard ahead?
To assess how your actions will affect following traffic
Which things are likely to distract a driver?
Mobile phone, even hands free Getting lost Using the demisters Operating the radio or CD player Listening to loud music or headphones Using iPods or mp3s Eating- Smoking- Drinking Operating the air condition Passengers Looking at maps or satnavs
Which things should you do when moving off from behind a parked car?
Check the road
Check mirrors
Check blind spot
Give a signal if necessary
When turning right onto a dual-carriageway from a side road at a T-junction, you must check to make sure that
The central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle to wait in
Before stopping, at the side of the road or in a traffic queue, your first action should always be
To check your mirrors
If your mobile phone rings when you are driving, you should
Pull up in a suitable place to answer the call
When turning right onto a dual-carriageway from a side road at a T-junction, you must check to make sure that
The central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle to wait in
How can you avoid being distracted from the road when using a satellite navigation system?
Only input your destination and other information when parked safely
You are driving on a late winter afternoon and it is approaching dusk - you should…why?
Switch your lights on when the daylight fades even if the street-lights are not So other drives can see you. And Whenever necessary to help other drivers to see you
If you feel sleepy during a long motorway journey you should
Leave the motorway as soon as possible and find a safe place to park
When approaching a set of traffic lights that have been green for some time, you should
Be prepared to stop
As a driver what do you understand the term ‘blind-spot’ to mean?
Area not covered by the mirrors
If you have to stop in an emergency on a wet road you should
Keep both of your hands on the steering wheel
Why is it important to use your mirror when you see a hazard ahead?
To assess how your actions will affect following traffic
The pillars at the side of your windscreen can obstruct your view, you need to be aware of this at all times but you should take particular care
At junctions
Before making a U-turn you should
Look over your shoulder for a final safety check
When following a large vehicle, for example a bus or a lorry, it’s good driving practice to keep well back. One reason for doing this is
It helps the driver of the large vehicle to see you more easily
If you get lost while driving the best thing to do is
Stop your car and switch on your sat-nav or look at a map
Windscreen pillars can restrict your view - when you are waiting to emerge from a junction this can make it particularly difficult to see
Cyclists
When waiting behind the give way lines to turn right at a T-junction your view is blocked by parked vehicles. Should you
Move forwards very slowly and carefully to improve your view
Information regarding the off-the-shelf medication should be checked in order to find out
Whether the medication causes drowsiness
using his dipped headlights so that
It’s easier for others to see you
A boring journey affects in the following way
It makes you drowsy
What should you do to relieve drowsiness?
Stop in a motorway service area, drink a caffeinated drink and rest
What could you do to help stay alert in the short term?
Open a window
What are the good qualities of a good driver?
Responsibility, concentration, anticipation, patience and confidence.
As a driver you are responsible for
Yourself, your passengers, other road users such as cyclists, motorbikes, people in charge of animals, children, elderly and disabled people.
Poor concentration - Avoid driving when you are
Feeling unwell, upset, annoyed, angry, stressed or absent minded.
Concentration is helped by having
Good vision, hearing, good health and self discipline.
What’s the rules about mobile phones
You must not use a hand held mobile phone or other similar devices when driving.
Even hands free phone will divert your attention so try not to use them either.
Find a safe place to stop before making a call and make regular stops to retrieve voice messages.
What can obstruct the view in a car?
Non essential stickers on the windows
Hanging objects like dice, dolls etc
The pillars at the side of your windscreen
What anticipation while driving means?
Planning well ahead Acting promptly to the changes around Avoid being taken by surprise Prevent hazards developing Take early actions to hazards
Driving when you are tired greatly increases your risk of collision. To minimise this risk you should…
make sure you are fit to drive.
Do not begin a journey if you are tired.
Get a good night’s sleep before embarking on a long journey
avoid long journeys between midnight and 6 am, when natural alertness is at a minimum
plan your journey to take sufficient breaks. A minimum break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving is recommended
if you feel at all sleepy, stop in a safe place. Do not stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway
the most effective ways to counter sleepiness are to drink, for example, two cups of caffeinated coffee and to take a short nap (at least 15 minutes)
What to do if there are any changes with your health likely to affect your driving?
You MUST report to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) any health condition likely to affect your driving. You MUST be fit to drive.
What to do when dazzled by sunlight?
Slow down, and if necessary stop.
What should you do when following a large vehicle?
Stay well back so the driver can see you in their mirror and help see the road ahead more clearly especially if overtaking. If you can’t see a large vehicles mirrors, they can’t see you.
