On the move and stopping

Question 1

What does LADA stand for?

Answer 1

Look: what you can see

Assess: what are your options

Decide: Choose the best option after looking

Act: Do what’s best

Question 2

When should MSPSL be used?

Answer 2

Moving off

Signalling

Changing direction

Turning left / right

Overtaking / changing lanes

Slowing down / stopping

Question 3

Do not stop your car:

Answer 3

On a bend / corner

Too close to a junction on the left

Not opposite to a junction on the right

On double yellow lines

In a parking prohibited zone like a disabled space

Over someone’s driveway

Anywhere it may cause a danger or obstruction

Question 4

Do not park:

Answer 4

On the approach to pedestrian crossings

School entrances

Near junctions (either opposite or within 10 metres)

On double yellow lines

On a bend

Anywhere that might prevent access for the emergency services

Anywhere restricted (always remember that different restrictions may apply at different times of day, look for signs for more information.)

Question 5

When parking

Answer 5

Plan your parking

Manoeuvre slowly

Look out for pedestrians and cyclists

Be careful when opening your door to exit the car, look for motorcycles and cyclists.

Question 6

Parking facing uphill

Answer 6

Park your car as close as you can to the near side kerb

Leave your steering wheel turned to the right – if your car does roll backwards the kerb will stop the front wheels

If there is no kerb leave your steering wheel turned to the left

Leave your car in first gear with the parking brake firmly applied

Question 7

Parking facing downhill

Answer 7

Leave your steering wheel turned to the left – if your car does roll forward the kerb will stop the front wheels

Leave your vehicle in reverse gear with the parking brake firmly applied

Question 8

Changing lanes

Answer 8

Select the lane you require as soon as possible and when it is safe to do so.

Always check your mirrors and if necessary out of your window before changing lanes.

When it is safe to do so, signal and once clear move out in the other lane. Always stay in the middle of your lane until you need to change.

Question 9

Things to never do when changing lanes

Answer 9

Weave between lanes or change lanes unnecessarily

Drive straddling two lanes

Change lanes at the last minute

Change lanes without signalling

Obstruct keep clear markings

Question 10

Things to consider when changing lanes

Answer 10

Cyclists riding past you on the left side

Large vehicles that may need to straddle both lanes, especially when turning

Motorcyclists filtering between lanes

Car doors being opened

Pedestrians crossing the road

Question 11

Road junctions

Answer 11

Always look out for upcoming road junctions and move into the correct lane in plenty of time.

Never try to gain an advantage over other traffic by using the incorrect lane, this can be dangerous for you and other road users.

Question 12

Road junctions with 2 lanes

Answer 12

if you are turning left – stay in the left hand lane

If you are going straight ahead – stay in the left hand lane unless otherwise indicated

If you are turning right – move to the right hand lane, allowing plenty of time

Question 13

Road junctions with 3 lanes

Answer 13

if you are turning left – stay in the left hand lane

If you are going straight ahead – usually stay in either the left or middle lanes (always be guided by road markings)

If you are turning right – use the right hand lane

Question 14

Bends

Answer 14

To drive safely around bends, always look ahead and try to assess:
- how sharp the bend is
- The speed at which you should travel to drive around the bend
- Visibility around the bend
- Weather conditions

On any bend with a restricted view always be prepared for oncoming vehicles, pedestrians on the side of the road, slow moving or broken down vehicles.

Question 15

Left hand bends

Answer 15

Keep to the centre of your lane.

DO NOT move to the centre of the road to improve your view as this may mean you are too close to oncoming traffic.

Question 16

Right hand bends

Answer 16

Keep to the left of your lane as this will improve your view

Question 17

Passing obstructions

Answer 17

Always attempt to plan ahead for any obstructions in the road.

If passing an obstruction always use Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre to let others know what you are planning to do

If an obstruction is on your side of the road then approaching traffic will usually have priority.

If the obstruction is on the other side of the road, always be prepared to give way to oncoming traffic and be aware of the obstruction concealing pedestrians.

Question 18

What does whether you wait or go at an obstruction depend on?

Answer 18

The type of road

The width of the road

Where the obstruction is on the road

Approaching traffic

What the vehicles in front of you do

The room available to pass

Question 19

Passing cyclists

Answer 19

When overtaking a cyclist always allow plenty of room.

Allow as much room as if you are overtaking a car.

This allows for the possibility of the cyclist moving out into the road unexpectedly if they need to.

Question 20

Passing cars on narrow lanes

Answer 20

On narrow or single lane roads, always look well ahead and be prepared to stop

Avoid pulling up on verges or banks as there may be soft ground, ditches or dips.

If your view ahead is restricted by bends or hedges reduce your speed so you can stop safely.

Always give cyclists or horse riders plenty of space, be patient and prepared to stop if necessary. Only overtake when safe to do so.

Question 21

What to do when you see a car on a narrow road

Answer 21

Pull into a passing place on the left if possible

Be prepared to reverse to a passing place on the left

Wait opposite a passing place on the right

Question 22

What Qs should you ask when debating whether a signal is needed?

Answer 22

Are there any vehicles who will be affected by me moving off?

Are there any pedestrians / cyclists who could be affected by me moving off?

Question 23

Timing of signals

Answer 23

Don’t mislead anyone

Depends on speed

Don’t signal:
- When driving past a junction
- Too early / late

Question 24

Mirrors in the MSM driving routine

Answer 24

Mirrors are often referred to as the third eye.

Their purpose is not just to make you aware of what is happening behind you.

But also to be aware of what might be trying to move round you.

You are affected by what is behind you.

For instance an amber traffic light will mean stop if you can do so safely. But if the car or worse still the lorry behind you is to close it will normally be better to keep going.

Note the other person may be in the wrong but it’s still down to you to avoid the accident.

Another example might be you are in a narrow road and about to give way. Checking your mirror shows another car behind you that would still be blocking the road if you stopped. So you would find a different space.

If you are about to turn and you see that you have a bike to your side it will be safer to wait.

You should use your mirrors every time that you change speed or direction or might have to change speed or direction. So look up ahead, see what’s happening and then check what’s happening behind you.

Most people check out what is going on around them when they are out and about. This might be looking in reflections to see who’s behind them or it could be looking around when going into a strange pub. The point is you check. Do the same in your car.

Having seen something, do something. Give a signal if that helps. Adjust your position or speed if that’s needed. You need to know what is going on around you to be safe!

Question 25

Types of mirrora

Answer 25

Flat

Convex

Aspheric

Rearview

Side

Question 26

Flat mirrors

Answer 26

This is a true picture of what you are seeing.

This is the type of mirror you have indoors.

In your vehicle it is your interior mirror.

Question 27

Convex mirrors

Answer 27

This is curved outwards so it gives a wider field of view. but makes things seem smaller.

It is normally used as an outside or side mirror.

They make vehicles seem further away than they really are.

But they also make the speed of approach of following vehicles seem slower than it actually is

Question 28

Aspheric mirrors

Answer 28

The surface changes for the purpose of increasing the field of vision.

It will go from flat to convex and these are normally used as a side mirrors.

The flat bit will be nearest the door and give a true picture.

The curved or convex bit will give a wider field of view.

Question 29

Rear view mirror

Answer 29

This is swivel mounted to allow adjustment to suit the driver.

This will also allow for accidental knocking.

There will also be an anti-dazzle position. If when you look at it, everything seems a bit dark you probably have the anti-dazzle on.

Question 30

Side mirrors

Answer 30

These are normally situated on the door: or the A pillar of modern cars. But older vehicles would have had them further forward on the wing. Which is why they are sometimes called wing mirrors.

They are spring mounted to allow for being hit by other cars.

Depending on the manufacturer they can be: flat, convex or aspheric.

A vertical line on the mirror will indicate a change of perspective i.e. from flat to convex.

There may also be a warning that vehicles in the mirror are closer than it appears.