Attitude Flashcards
How can you have good manners on the road?
Be considerate to other road users. Other drivers, cyclists and horse riders have just as much right to be there as you do. If you drive in a competitive way, you’ll make the road less safe for everyone using it.
It’s also important to be patient with other road users. Unfortunately, not everyone obeys the rules. Try to be calm and tolerant, however difficult it seems. For instance, if someone pulls out in front of you at a junction, slow down and don’t get annoyed with them.
How can you help other road users?
You can help other road users know what you are planning to do by signalling correctly and moving to the correct position at junctions. If you want to turn right, get in the right hand lane well before the junction. A badly positioned vehicle could obstruct traffic behind it.
If you’re driving a slow-moving vehicle, consider other drivers behind you, If there is a long queue, pull over as soon as you can do so safely and let the traffic past. Think how you would feel if you were one of the drivers following behind you. They may not be as patient as you are.
If a large vehicle is trying to overtake you but is taking a long time, slow down and let it pass. It will need more time to pass you than a car would.
If you’re travelling at the speed limit and a driver comes up behind flashing their headlights or trying to overtake, keep a steady course and allow them to overtake. Don’t try and stop them - they could become more frustrated.
How should you use your horn and lights?
Only sound your horn if there’s danger and you need to let others know you’re there. Don’t sound it through impatience.
At night, don’t dazzle other road users. Dip your lights when following another vehicle or meeting another vehicle coming towards you.
If you’re queuing in traffic at night, use your handbrake rather thank keeping your foot on the brake, as your brake lights could dazzle drivers behing you.
Only flash your headlights to show other road users you’re there - it’s not a signal to show priority, impatience, or to greet others.
What shoudl you do when there are animals on the road?
Horses can be frightened easily and a rider could lose control of their horse. When passing horses keep your speed right down and give them plenty of room.
Take care if there are animals like sheep on the road. If the road is blocked by animals, or if you’re asked to, stop and switch off your engine until the road is clear.
How can you follow other cars safely?
Driving too closely behind another driver (tailgating) is intimidating and distracting for the road user in front, and very dangerous, as it could cause an incident if the vehicle stops suddenly.
Travelling too closely to another vehicle also means you can see less of the road ahead, so keep well back, especially from large vehicles. You’ll be able to see further down the road and spot any hazards ahead more easily.
Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front - a 2 second gap in good, dry conditions, and a 4 second gap in wet weather.
Use a fixed point, like a road sign, to help you measure the gap between you and the vehicle in front.
When you’re following large vehicles, you may see them move to the centre of the road before turning left - this is because they need more room to manouevre. Keep well back and don’t try to pass on the left as the rear of the vehicle will cut in.
If the road user behind is following too closely, gradually slow down to increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front. This will give you a greate safety margin should traffic ahead slow down or stop suddenyly. If another road user cuts in front of you, drop back until you’ve restored your safety margin.
Who has priority on the road?
This can vary at any time - sometimes traffic going one direction is giving priority, this is shown by a road sign. Having priority doesn’t mean you can demand right of way. Be careful - the driver coming towards you may not have seen or understood the road sign.
How should you respond to emergency vehicles?
Always give priority - it’s important for them to move quickly through traffic because someone’s life might depend on it. Pull over to let them through as soon as you can do so safely.
As well as fire, police and ambulance services, HM coastguard, bomb disposal, mountain rescue, and blood transfusion vehicles all use a blue flashing light.
Doctor’s vehicles may use green flashing lights when answering an emergency call.
How should you respond to buses?
Give priority to those pulling out from bus stops as long as you can do so safely. In some areas, bus lanes allow buses to proceed quickly through traffic. Be aware of road signs and markings so that you don’t use bus lanes while they’re in operation.
How should you respond to unmarked crossroads?
No one has priority - slow down, look both ways and only emerge into the junction when you can do so safely.
What are the different types of pedestrian crossing?
Zebra - watch out for pedestrians at or approaching. Be ready to slow down and stop, be patient if they cross slowly, don’t encourage them to cross by waving or flashing your headlights, as there could be another vehicle coming.
Pelican - if the amber light is flashing give way to pedestrians on the crossing, don’t move off until the crossing is clear.
Puffin - electronically controlled, sensores ensure red light shows until pedestrian has safely crossed. Don’t have flashing amber light, have steady amber light like normal traffic lights.
Toucan - like puffin, allow cyclists to cross at the same time as pedestrians.
What do white diamond signs mean?
These apply to trams only.
Give cyclists and motorcyclists extra room where there are tram rails - the slippery rails might be difficult for them to negotiate.
Why id diesel fuel particularly dangerous when spilt?
It’s slippery - take care when refuelling as there may be spilt fuel on the ground near the pump. Fuel contamination on shoes may cause them to slip when using foot pedals. To avoid spillage after refuelling, make sure the filler cap is securely fastened.
