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