Safety Margins

Question 1

How should you drive downhill safely?

Answer 1

• Select a lower gear

- Brake gently

Question 2

What is coasting?

Answer 2

When you travel in neutral or with the clutch pressed down

Question 3

What is your stopping distance?

Answer 3

The distance your car travels from the moment you realise you need to brake to the moment your vehicle stops

Question 4

What makes up the stopping distance?

Answer 4

The thinking distance and the braking distance

Question 5

20 mph stopping distance

Answer 5

3 car lengths (12m)

Question 6

30 mph stopping distance

Answer 6

6 car lengths (23m)

Question 7

40mph stopping distance

Answer 7

9 car lengths (36m)

Question 8

50 mph stopping distance

Answer 8

13 car lengths (53m)

Question 9

60 mph stopping distance

Answer 9

18 car lengths (73m)

Question 10

70mph stopping distance

Answer 10

24 car lengths (96m)

Question 11

What is the time gap in wet conditions?

Answer 11

4 seconds

Question 12

What is the time gap in dry conditions?

Answer 12

20 seconds

Question 13

What should you do when driving in freezing conditions?

Answer 13

• Use the highest gear possible
• Break gently and ahead of time
• Be prepared to clean snow off of the windshield

Question 14

What should you do when driving in fog?

Answer 14

Use dipped headlights unless the visibility is less than 100m in which case you use fog lights

Question 15

What is aquaplaning?

Answer 15

When your tyre leaves the surface of the road and skates on a film of water. This can cause the steering to be light and the tyres make no sound

Question 16

What do you do if you aquaplane?

Answer 16

• Ease off the accelerator

- Don’t brake until you are off the water

Question 17

Why is hot weather dangerous?

Answer 17

Because the road can become soft which can affect the grip of the tyres which means the steering and braking could be affected. The sun can also dazzle drivers

Question 18

What should you do when driving in high winds?

Answer 18

Drive slowly and give pedestrians more space in case they are blown off course

Question 19

How can you reduce the risk of skidding?

Answer 19

Drive at low speed with as high a gear as possible

Question 20

What do you do if you start skidding?

Answer 20

• Release the footbrake and reapply it gently

- Steer gently in the direction of the skid

Question 21

What is the ABS system?

Answer 21

The anti brake locking system which reduces skidding if there is an emergency brake

Question 22

What should you do if you are driving a vehicle with ABS?

Answer 22

Apply footbrake rapidly and don’t release the brake until it has stopped

Question 23

What is the ESC?

Answer 23

It’s the electronic stability control and it compromises the ABS and traction control system to stop the car from skidding sideways

Question 24

What is a contraflow system?

Answer 24

It’s where you have a lane that is travelling in the opposite direction than it usually would

Question 25

What should you do when you enter a contraflow system?

Answer 25

• Reduce speed
• Chose the appropriate lane in good time
• Keep correct separation distance

Question 26

How would you park your car safely downhill?

Answer 26

Apply the parking brake firmly and turn your steering wheel towards the curb so your car doesn’t roll downhill

Question 27

What can happen if you travel long distances when coasting?

Answer 27

You can reduce your control