Safety Margins Flashcards
Who should you keep in mind whilst driving?
Yourself, your passengers and other road users
How can you reduce your chances of being involved in an road traffic accident?
Knowing safety margins and risks associated with not adhering to them
Not taking unnecessary risks
Positioning your vehicle appropriately
How should you drive your car when travelling downhill?
Selecting a lower gear and braking gently
Why should you not ‘coast’?
Reduces your control
How does one ‘coast’ when driving?
Driving in neutral/with clutch pressed down
How should you calculate your stopping distance?
Thinking distance and braking distance
Why should you leave enough room between vehicles?
So you can pull up safely if it slows down/stops suddenly
What is your ‘thinking’ distance?
Moment you realise you must brake
What is your ‘braking’ distance?
Moment brake applied until when the vehicle stops
What is a useful method for stopping distances in a vehicle with good tyres and brakes on a good road with good conditions?
Leave a two second gap between your vehicle and the one in front
How do you approach the stopping distance in wet weather?
Double the distance
How do you approach the stopping distance in icy weather?
10x the distance
How does stopping distance make a difference in faster conditions?
On a motorway, increasing distance reduces the risk of collision
When should you consider whether your journey is necessary when driving?
If there’s bad weather i.e. snow, ice or thick fog
What should you do before starting your journey in freezing weather?
Clear ice and snow from your windows, lights, mirrors and number plates
How should you drive in freezing weather?
Use the highest gear you can
Brake gently and in plenty of time
Be prepared to stop and clear your windscreen by hand if the windscreen wipers aren’t effective
How should you drive in foggy weather?
Allow more time for your journey
Slow down, as your visibility is reduced
Increase the gap between vehicles
Use dipped headlights/fog lights (in daylight as well)
When should you use fog lights in foggy weather?
If visibility falls below 100m (328 feet)
What should you do in wet conditions?
Always maintain a safe separation distance, particularly if another vehicle overtakes you
What is ‘aquaplaning’?
The tyres lift off the road, and skate on a film of water - the steering becomes light, and the tyres hardly make noise
What should you do if your vehicle ‘aquaplans’?
Ease off the accelerator
Don’t brake until your steering feels normal again
What should you do if you’ve driven through deep water .e. flood/ford?
Test your brakes
If necessary, dry them out by pressing lightly on the brake pedal as you go along
How can hot weather pose a danger to your driving?
The road surface becomes soft, and your tires may not grip as well.
Also may affect steering and braking
What should you do if you think the bright sunlight is dazzling the drivers around you?
Consider giving an arm signal as well
What can blow you off course?
High winds, especially on open roads
Which road users should you take extra care around on windier days?
High-sided vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists as they may be blown off course
How should you pass high-sided vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists on windier days?
Allow extra room and then check your left side as you pass them
Who is skidding mainly caused by?
the driver
When is skidding most likely?
Greatest in wet or icy conditions
Why is ‘black ice’ so dangerous?
It’s not obvious until the steering becomes light - hazard
How can you reduce the risk of skidding and wheelspin?
Driving at low speeds in as high a gear as possible
Why should you scan the road ahead for signs and markings?
So you’re not taken by surprise and have enough time to slow down gradually before you reach the hazard & avoid sudden steering movements
What should you do if you start to skid?
Release the footbrake and reapply gently
Steer smoothly in the direction of the skid - if the back of the car skids to the right, steer right carefully etc.
What is the purpose of ABS?
reduce the risk of skidding if you have to brake in an emergency
What do wheel speed sensors do?
anticipate when a steering wheel is about to lock
What should you do if you’re driving a vehicle fitted with ABS?
Apply the footbrake rapidly and firmly
Don’t release the brake pedal until you’ve stoppedd
Why doesn’t a vehicle with ABS use reduced stopping distances?
It doesn’t necessary reduce your stopping distance but you can continue to steer whilst braking as the wheels are prevented from locking
Where might ABS be less effective?
if there’s a loose road surface or surface water
What is ESC/ESP?
The Electronic Stability Control/Programme is the functions of the ABS and the traction control system
What is the aim of ESC/ESP?
Prevent a vehicle from skidding sideways
What does ESC/ESP do?
detects the risk of a skid at an early stage and provides selective braking intervention to restore vehicle safely
What is a contraflow system?
It’s a temporary system to control traffic
What happens in a contraflow system?
You’ll travel close to oncoming traffic, sometimes in narrow lanes
What should you do when you enter a contraflow system?
Reduce your speed in good time
Choose an appropriate lane in good time
Keep the correct separation distance
Why does my instructor tell me to keep well to the left before a right-hand bend?
Improves your view of the road ahead, and an earlier indication of any hazards
How can I park my car safely on a downhill slope?
Apply the parking brake firmly and turn the steering wheel towards the kerb - stops your vehicle rolling downhill.
What are the benefits of a four-wheel drive vehicle?
Improved road holding:extra grip for slippery or uneven roads
I know overtaking is a dangerous manoeuvre - are there any places I definitely need to avoid?
Where your view ahead is blocked (i.e. by bends)
When approaching a junction
If intending to turn off the road shortly afterwards
Why are there so many speed humps around?
In built-up areas, they improve safety. Slow right down as you approach and drive over them.
