Safety Margins Flashcards

1
Q

Who should you keep in mind whilst driving?

A

Yourself, your passengers and other road users

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2
Q

How can you reduce your chances of being involved in an road traffic accident?

A

Knowing safety margins and risks associated with not adhering to them

Not taking unnecessary risks

Positioning your vehicle appropriately

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3
Q

How should you drive your car when travelling downhill?

A

Selecting a lower gear and braking gently

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4
Q

Why should you not ‘coast’?

A

Reduces your control

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5
Q

How does one ‘coast’ when driving?

A

Driving in neutral/with clutch pressed down

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6
Q

How should you calculate your stopping distance?

A

Thinking distance and braking distance

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7
Q

Why should you leave enough room between vehicles?

A

So you can pull up safely if it slows down/stops suddenly

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8
Q

What is your ‘thinking’ distance?

A

Moment you realise you must brake

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9
Q

What is your ‘braking’ distance?

A

Moment brake applied until when the vehicle stops

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10
Q

What is a useful method for stopping distances in a vehicle with good tyres and brakes on a good road with good conditions?

A

Leave a two second gap between your vehicle and the one in front

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11
Q

How do you approach the stopping distance in wet weather?

A

Double the distance

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12
Q

How do you approach the stopping distance in icy weather?

A

10x the distance

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13
Q

How does stopping distance make a difference in faster conditions?

A

On a motorway, increasing distance reduces the risk of collision

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14
Q

When should you consider whether your journey is necessary when driving?

A

If there’s bad weather i.e. snow, ice or thick fog

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15
Q

What should you do before starting your journey in freezing weather?

A

Clear ice and snow from your windows, lights, mirrors and number plates

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16
Q

How should you drive in freezing weather?

A

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

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17
Q

How should you drive in foggy weather?

A

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)

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18
Q

When should you use fog lights in foggy weather?

A

If visibility falls below 100m (328 feet)

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19
Q

What should you do in wet conditions?

A

Always maintain a safe separation distance, particularly if another vehicle overtakes you

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20
Q

What is ‘aquaplaning’?

A

The tyres lift off the road, and skate on a film of water - the steering becomes light, and the tyres hardly make noise

21
Q

What should you do if your vehicle ‘aquaplans’?

A

Ease off the accelerator
Don’t brake until your steering feels normal again

22
Q

What should you do if you’ve driven through deep water .e. flood/ford?

A

Test your brakes
If necessary, dry them out by pressing lightly on the brake pedal as you go along

23
Q

How can hot weather pose a danger to your driving?

A

The road surface becomes soft, and your tires may not grip as well.
Also may affect steering and braking

24
Q

What should you do if you think the bright sunlight is dazzling the drivers around you?

A

Consider giving an arm signal as well

25
Q

What can blow you off course?

A

High winds, especially on open roads

26
Q

Which road users should you take extra care around on windier days?

A

High-sided vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists as they may be blown off course

27
Q

How should you pass high-sided vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists on windier days?

A

Allow extra room and then check your left side as you pass them

28
Q

Who is skidding mainly caused by?

A

the driver

29
Q

When is skidding most likely?

A

Greatest in wet or icy conditions

30
Q

Why is ‘black ice’ so dangerous?

A

It’s not obvious until the steering becomes light - hazard

31
Q

How can you reduce the risk of skidding and wheelspin?

A

Driving at low speeds in as high a gear as possible

32
Q

Why should you scan the road ahead for signs and markings?

A

So you’re not taken by surprise and have enough time to slow down gradually before you reach the hazard & avoid sudden steering movements

33
Q

What should you do if you start to skid?

A

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.

34
Q

What is the purpose of ABS?

A

reduce the risk of skidding if you have to brake in an emergency

35
Q

What do wheel speed sensors do?

A

anticipate when a steering wheel is about to lock

36
Q

What should you do if you’re driving a vehicle fitted with ABS?

A

Apply the footbrake rapidly and firmly
Don’t release the brake pedal until you’ve stoppedd

37
Q

Why doesn’t a vehicle with ABS use reduced stopping distances?

A

It doesn’t necessary reduce your stopping distance but you can continue to steer whilst braking as the wheels are prevented from locking

38
Q

Where might ABS be less effective?

A

if there’s a loose road surface or surface water

39
Q

What is ESC/ESP?

A

The Electronic Stability Control/Programme is the functions of the ABS and the traction control system

40
Q

What is the aim of ESC/ESP?

A

Prevent a vehicle from skidding sideways

41
Q

What does ESC/ESP do?

A

detects the risk of a skid at an early stage and provides selective braking intervention to restore vehicle safely

42
Q

What is a contraflow system?

A

It’s a temporary system to control traffic

43
Q

What happens in a contraflow system?

A

You’ll travel close to oncoming traffic, sometimes in narrow lanes

44
Q

What should you do when you enter a contraflow system?

A

Reduce your speed in good time
Choose an appropriate lane in good time
Keep the correct separation distance

45
Q

Why does my instructor tell me to keep well to the left before a right-hand bend?

A

Improves your view of the road ahead, and an earlier indication of any hazards

46
Q

How can I park my car safely on a downhill slope?

A

Apply the parking brake firmly and turn the steering wheel towards the kerb - stops your vehicle rolling downhill.

47
Q

What are the benefits of a four-wheel drive vehicle?

A

Improved road holding:extra grip for slippery or uneven roads

48
Q

I know overtaking is a dangerous manoeuvre - are there any places I definitely need to avoid?

A

Where your view ahead is blocked (i.e. by bends)
When approaching a junction
If intending to turn off the road shortly afterwards

49
Q

Why are there so many speed humps around?

A

In built-up areas, they improve safety. Slow right down as you approach and drive over them.