safety and your vechile

Question 1

check what on your car on a regular basis?

Answer 1

lights, brakes, steering, exhaust system, seat belts, horn, speedometer, wipers and washers

Question 2

how many times a week should you check tyre pressures?

Answer 2

check regularly, at least once a week. Do when cold to get a more accurate reading,

Question 3

what should the tread be on tyres?

Answer 3

the tread on a car and trailer tyres must be at least 1.6mm deep across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference. illegal to drive with tyres that have deep cuts in the side walls.

Question 4

what can uneven wear on the tyres be caused by?

Answer 4

the braking system, the suspension, and the wheel alignment. If wheels are unbalanced could cause the steering to vibrate.

Question 5

what do the warning lights on the dashboard tell you about?

Answer 5

the performance of the engine and warn you of any faults.

Question 6

the anti-brake system warning light should go out when the vehicle’s travelling at 5 to 10mph- if it does not, have it checked by a mechanic

Question 7

to check condition of shock absorbers- bounce vehicle- push down hard over each wheel: should be no more than one rebound when released.

Question 8

consult a garage ASAP if:

• the steering vibrates- may need wheels balanced
  -the vehicle pulls to one side when you brake- brakes may need adjusting .

Question 9

as a driver you are responsible for making sure children under 14 wear a suitable restraint. If correct child restraint is not available, use an adult seat belt.

Question 10

never fit a rear-facing baby seat in seat protected by an active airbag- could cause fatal injuries, airbag must be deactivated first.

Question 11

if caught not wearing seatbelt could be fined up to £500

Question 12

when you get into car:

• adjust seat to ensure can reach all controls
  -adjust head restraint to prevent neck injury in collision
  -wear suitable shoes, to keep control of pedals
  -adjust mirrors to maximise field of vision.
  -convex mirrors give wider view- so cars look further away then they are
  if reversing and cannot see behind you- get someone to guide you.

Question 13

if visibility is poor used dipped headlights so other road users can see you, if thick fog use fog lights.

Question 14

when leaving car on two way road at night- park in direction of traffic- if speed limit is over 30 mph switch on parking lights

Question 15

hazard lights are fitted so you can warn drivers of a hazard ahead like:

-when you’ve broken down
-queuing traffic on a dual carriageway or motorway.

Question 16

avoid parking your vehicle where it would cause an obstruction to other road users, like infront of a property entrance, at or near a bus stop, near the brow of a hill, where kerb has been lowered for wheelchair access, or on a bend or opposite a road

Question 17

never stop or park on or near a level crossing, or on zigzag lines at a pedestrian crossing- this would block the view of pedestrians and drivers and endanger people trying to use the crossing.