Safety margins Flashcards
You’re driving on an open road in dry weather. What distance should you keep from the vehicle in front?
A. A two-second time gap
B. One car length
C. Two metres (6 feet 6 inches)
D. Two car lengths
A. A two-second time gap
One way of checking there’s a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front is to use the two-second rule. To check for a two-second time gap, choose a stationary object ahead, such as a bridge or road sign. When the car in front passes the object, say ‘Only a fool breaks the two-second rule’. If you reach the object before you finish saying the phrase, you’re too close and need to increase the gap.
How should you use anti-lock brakes when you need to stop in an emergency?
A. Keep pumping the footbrake to prevent skidding
B. Brake normally but grip the steering wheel tightly
C. Brake promptly and firmly until you’ve stopped
D. Apply the parking brake to reduce the stopping distance
C. Brake promptly and firmly until you’ve stopped
If you have ABS and need to stop in an emergency, keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal until the vehicle has stopped. When the ABS operates, you may hear a grating sound and feel vibration through the brake pedal. This is normal and you should maintain pressure on the brake pedal until the vehicle stops.
What’s the main benefit of driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle?
A. Improved grip on the road
B. Lower fuel consumption
C. Shorter stopping distances
D. Improved passenger comfort
A. Improved grip on the road
What requires extra care when you’re driving or riding in windy conditions?
A. Using the brakes
B. Moving off on a hill
C. Turning into a narrow road
D. Passing pedal cyclists
D. Passing pedal cyclists
Always give cyclists plenty of room when overtaking them. You need to give them even more room when it’s windy. A sudden gust could easily blow them off course and into your path.
What should you do before starting a journey in foggy weather?
A. Wear a hi-visibility jacket
B. Have a caffeinated drink
C. Allow more time
D. Reduce your tyre pressures
C. Allow more time
Don’t venture out if your journey isn’t necessary. If you have to travel and someone is expecting you at the other end, let them know that you’ll be taking longer than usual for your journey. This will stop them worrying if you don’t turn up on time and will also take the pressure off you, so you don’t feel you have to rush.
In which conditions will your overall stopping distance increase?
A. In the rain
B. In fog
C. At night
D. In strong winds
A. In the rain
Extra care should be taken in wet weather. On wet roads, your stopping distance could be double that in dry conditions.
