ch3 basic driving skills Flashcards
What rule should you follow to maintain a safe following distance
when operating a taxi, ambulance or a van?
Drivers of passenger cars and light trucks should use the two-second rule for
keeping a safe following distance
What rule should you follow to maintain a safe following distance
when operating a bus, truck or truck-tractor and semi-trailer?
Since you need more time and distance to stop if you’re driving one of these
vehicles, keep at least a five-second following distance.
Why should a commercial vehicle travel in the right (slower) lane of
traffic?
If you drive slower than the traffic flow, you increase your chance of a collision
with vehicles travelling behind or beside you. driving faster than the flow you won’t be able to maintain a safe following distance, which means you
will be unable to stop quickly and safely.
As your speed increases, the length of your danger zone increases.
What other conditions increase the length of your danger zone?
Less than
ideal road conditions, such as rain, snow, ice or gravel, increase the length of
your danger zone. Driving fast in these road conditions increases your danger
zone even more
What determines the amount of off track a vehicle will have?
The greater the distance
between the front wheels and the rear wheels of a vehicle, or a combination
of vehicles, the greater the amount of off track
Why is it dangerous to allow the rear wheels of your vehicle to cross
the centre line of the roadway when you negotiate a left turn or curve?
the left side of
your vehicle may hit another vehicle in the intersection or run over a median
because of off tracking.
What are the risks of running rear wheels over curbs when making
sharp turns to the right?
Running your rear wheels over curbs and sidewalks can damage your
tires and seriously injure pedestrians and cyclists. You may hit a power pole,
sign post or lamp standard if your vehicle doesn’t have enough room to turn.
This type of collision can damage your vehicle, as well as the object it hits.
What precautions must you take before and while you’re making a
turn?
approach each turn at a speed that allows you to control your vehicle safely; you need to think about the length of your vehicle
including the trailer(s), the off track of the rear wheels, the layout of the streets
and the particular intersection where you’ll be turning, and traffic at or near
the intersection.
What special precautions must the driver take when it’s necessary to
“block off” more than one lane of traffic to negotiate a sharp turn?
If you
must cross into the oncoming lane to make the turn, watch out for vehicles
coming toward you. Give them room to pass by or to stop. Don’t back up for
them, because you might hit someone behind you.
What should a driver do before entering a narrow bridge from a
curved approach?
Entering a narrow bridge with a curved approach requires the driver of a large
unit to use caution and skill. You must be familiar with the amount of off track
your vehicle displays. Use this information to adjust your speed and approach
to the curve so that you can enter the bridge safely
What are some of the steps you can take to help avoid crashes when
backing up?
Avoid backing up whenever possible.
* If you must back up, plan ahead to minimize the distance.
* Be certain that the area you are backing into is clear.
* Use a person to guide your vehicle whenever possible. If you can’t use a
guide, get out of your vehicle and walk completely around it before you
start to back up. Repeat this every vehicle length.
* Sound your horn at least once every vehicle length to warn other road users
that you’re about to move.
* Back your vehicle out of traffic rather than into traffic.
Describe how and when you upshift and downshift
the transmission should be shifted according to the engine’s
peak torque and peak horsepower.Progressive shifting is recommended for many new vehicles with high-torque
engines. The r.p.m. you need to shift at becomes higher as you select higher
gears. For example, a manufacturer may recommend shifting from first gear to
second gear at 1,200 r.p.m. and from fifth gear to sixth gear at 1,350 r.p.m.
How can the area of air turbulence around your vehicle endanger
other users on the road?
A car, bicycle or other road user travelling directly in front of a
truck, alongside the cab, by the back area of the trailer or at the immediate
rear of the trailer is in an area of air turbulence. For cyclists, the air turbulence
from your vehicle can cause them to lose control.Be alert for road users who ride in these areas. They may be forced off a
narrow roadway or drawn into the side of your vehicle. If a smaller vehicle
continues to ride in your area of turbulence, slow down until it’s out.
- As a professional driver, what can you do to help other drivers safely
pass your vehicle?
when other drivers indicate they want to
overtake your vehicle, help them to pass safely. Reduce your speed and give
them room
. Which vehicles must stop at all uncontrolled railroad crossings?
Vehicles that are required to stop at all uncontrolled main railway crossings are:
* school buses carrying children
* buses carrying passengers
* vehicles transporting explosive, poisonous or flammable substances as
cargo or as part of their cargo
* vehicles used to transport combustibles or corrosive liquids, or liquefied
petroleum gas, whether empty or loaded.
