Part 3: Interpretation of The Law - Driving Skills Flashcards
How is the duty of a driver regarding attention and focus on driving further detailed?
Letting attention wander or using hands, feet, or eyes for purposes other than driving is considered a contravention of the law.
What are the vision requirements for driving?
- Before driving, one must be able to read a registration plate at a distance of sixty (60) feet in good daylight.
- Glasses or contact lenses must be worn at all times if prescribed by a Medical Practitioner/Optician.
- Section 34 (2) of the Law specifies that one must not drive with defective vision where it cannot be “sufficiently corrected.”
What should you ensure regarding your fitness to drive and managing tiredness?
> Ensure that you are fit to drive and report any health condition likely to affect your driving to the Director of Licensing.
Driving when tired significantly increases the risk of a collision.
To minimize the risk of tiredness-related accidents:
- Avoid beginning a journey if you are tired; get adequate sleep before long trips.
- Avoid long journeys between midnight and 6:00 a.m. when natural alertness is
low.
- Plan sufficient breaks during long journeys, with a recommended break of at
least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving.
- Stop in a safe place if feeling sleepy.
- Consuming two cups of caffeinated coffee and taking a short nap (at least 15
minutes) are effective strategies to counter sleepiness.
What are the suggested hand positions for effective control of a vehicle’s steering wheel?
The recommended hand positions are:
> 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock (10 to 2).
> 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock (9 to 3).
It is advised to avoid having the steering wheel slide through the palms of your hands while negotiating or turning corners, as this can be potentially dangerous.
What are the regulations regarding the use of mobile phones while driving?
> Drivers MUST exercise proper control of their vehicles at all times.
Drivers MUST NOT use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving or supervising a learner driver, except in a genuine emergency when it’s unsafe or impractical to stop, and only to call 911.
While the law permits the use of hands-free devices under certain conditions, it is safer to avoid using any telephone while driving or riding. Drivers should find a safe place to stop first or use the voicemail facility and listen to messages later.
What should you ALWAYS do prior to moving off in a vehicle?
- Use mirrors to ensure the road is clear.
- Check your “blind spots” by looking left, right, and rear.
- Give the appropriate signals (indicator or hand signals).
- Adjust the mirror and head restraint.
- Ensure clothing and footwear do not interfere with controls.
- Familiarize yourself with all vehicle controls.
- Know the route you intend to take.
- Have adequate fuel for the journey.
- Proceed smoothly and safely.
What factors can affect your ability to maintain full control of a vehicle, and how should you handle them?
Braking: Brake early and lightly. Avoid harsh braking. Apply brakes firmly until the vehicle slows or stops, then ease off the brake pedal once stopped.
Skidding: Skidding is often caused by driver actions such as harsh acceleration, steering, braking, or speeding without considering road conditions and traffic. To handle a skid, ease off the brake or accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction of the skid (e.g., if the rear skids right, steer right).
What additional factors should you consider to maintain full control of your vehicle, and how should you handle them?
> Emergency Braking: In an emergency, brake immediately while keeping both hands on the steering wheel to maintain control. Avoid locking the front wheels to prevent skidding.
> Driving Through Water: After driving through deep water, gently apply the brakes to ensure they are working properly and to dry them out.
> Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS): When using ABS, press the brakes firmly without pumping them. This allows the vehicle to slow down while maintaining effective steering control.
What are the key rules for driving on the left side of the road?
> Do not keep to the extreme left as it can be dangerous if something enters the near side of the road.
> Give ample clearance to oncoming or overtaking vehicles and give way where there is an obstruction on your side
.
Do not race for gaps in the road due to obstructions, and do not swing unnecessarily to the right when preparing for a left-hand turn.
> Always drive on the left unless instructed otherwise, following lane markings.
> On roads with multiple lanes:
*Stay in the left lane unless overtaking or turning right.
*Do not obstruct other vehicles when using other lanes.
*Slow-moving vehicles should keep to the left where possible.
> On unmarked roads:
*Keep to the left side.
*Avoid drifting to the right.
*Do not drive on the shoulder.
What steps should you take before making a right-hand turn?
> Observe all traffic in front and behind, ensuring you are not being overtaken by a vehicle not visible in the mirror.
> Signal your intention to turn using a hand signal, traffic indicator, or both.
> Gradually slow down while moving towards the center of the road.
> Stop if there is oncoming traffic from the opposite direction.
> Execute the turn in an even and deliberate manner once the road is clear.
> Turn to arrive on the left-hand side of the road you are turning into, passing any road island or lane divider on the left.
> Never pull into the left-hand side of the road in preparation for a right-hand turn unless directed by a uniformed police officer or authorized person, as this can confuse other road users.
What are the key duties of a driver regarding traffic signs, signals, and giving warnings?
> Drivers must obey all traffic signs and signals, recognizing and responding to them without hesitation.
> Emergency vehicle drivers have an increased duty of care for other road users despite certain concessions.
> All drivers must obey signals and directions given by constables in uniform, traffic wardens, school crossing patrols, or other authorized persons.
> Drivers must give prior warning of any intended maneuver using hand or traffic indicator signals.
What are the guidelines for lane discipline?
*Before changing lanes, use mirrors and check blind spots to ensure safety for other road users.
*Signal your intention to change lanes, and only do so when it’s safe.
*This applies when negotiating roundabouts as well.
*Always use one lane.
What do white or yellow diagonal stripes or chevrons on the road indicate?
*If bordered by broken lines, do not enter unless necessary and safe.
*If bordered by solid lines, do not enter except in an emergency.
What are lane dividers, and how should you use them?
> Lane dividers are short, broken white or yellow lines used on wide carriageways to divide them into lanes.
> Drivers should keep between these lane dividers.
What do reflective road studs and solid white lines indicate on the road?
> Reflective road studs:
*White studs mark lanes or the middle of the road.
*Red studs mark the left edge of the road.
*Amber studs mark the central reservation of a dual carriageway.
> A solid white line marks the edge of the roadway.
What does a broken white line indicate on the road, and what should you do when encountering it?
> A broken white line marks the center of the road.
> When the line lengthens and the gaps shorten, it indicates a hazard ahead.
> Do not cross this line unless the road is clear and you intend to overtake or turn off.
What does an unbroken white line indicate on the road, and what is the rule regarding overtaking?
> An unbroken white line also marks the center of the road.
> Overtaking is prohibited on that part of the road at any time.
What do double unbroken yellow lines in the center of the road indicate, and what actions are prohibited?
> Double unbroken yellow lines in the center of the road prohibit vehicles traveling in opposite directions from crossing the lines.
> You must not cross these lines unless you intend to turn right when it is safe to do so. Avoid obstructing traffic flow while waiting to turn.
> Overtaking is also prohibited in this situation.
What does a single unbroken yellow line at the edge of the carriageway indicate regarding parking?
A single unbroken yellow line at the edge of the carriageway means no parking except during specified hours and for purposes indicated by traffic signs.
What does a single unbroken yellow line in the center of the carriageway indicate, and what actions are prohibited?
> A single unbroken yellow line in the center of the carriageway means parking is prohibited on either side of the road.
> Overtaking is also prohibited in this situation.
What do two parallel yellow lines at the edge of the carriageway indicate regarding parking?
Two parallel yellow lines at the edge of the carriageway indicate that parking is prohibited at all times.
What are the guidelines for using lanes, especially in single carriageways with multiple lanes?
> Follow all signs and road markings regarding lane use.
> Avoid changing lanes in heavy traffic or congestion.
> On single carriageways with two lanes separated by lines or reflective studs:
*Use the middle lane only when turning right.
*Do not use the right-hand lane unless indicated otherwise.
> On single carriageways with three or more lanes:
*Use only the lanes indicated by signs or markings.
