Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Driving Theory > Safety Margins > Flashcards

Safety Margins Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Drivers Test flashcards
1
Q

What is my personal safety margin?

A

The space I maintain around my vehicle. (I should think about my personal safety margin the next time I drive, am I getting too close to other vehicles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Whose safety should I always keep in mind?

A

My own, my passengers, other road users

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

In relation to safety margins, how can I reduce my chances of being involved in a road traffic incident?

A

By knowing the safety margins and the risks caused by not adhering to them. Never take unnecessary risks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How should I position my vehicle?

A

Appropriately (for example when on bends) to improve my view of the road ahead.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is ‘coasting’ and why shouldn’t I do it?

A

Coasting means travelling in neutral or with the clutch disengaged (pressed down). I shouldn’t do it because it reduces my control of my car.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How can I control my speed when I’m travelling downhill?

A

Selecting a lower gear and breaking gently

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Why should I leave enough room between my vehicle and the one in front?

A

So I can pull up safely if it slows down or stops suddenly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is my overall stopping distance?

A

The distance my car travels from the moment I realise I must brake to the moment my car stops.

This is made up of thinking distance and braking distance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Study the typical thinking, braking and stopping distances given in the Highway Code. These are based on vehicles travelling
(a) with
(b) on
(c) in

A

(a) with good tyres and brakes
(b) on a dry road
(c) in good conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Weather conditions have a major effect on my safety margins. What should I do if there’s bad weather such as snow, ice or thick fog?

A

I should consider whether my journey is really necessary never underestimating the dangers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Where should you clear ice from before starting a journey?

A

Windows, lights, mirrors, number plates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

When driving in icy weather I should:
(a) use
(b) brake
(c) be prepared

A

(a) use the highest gear I can
(b) brake gently and in plenty of time
(c) be prepared to stop and clean snow from your windscreen by hand if the wipers cannot keep it clear.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

When it’s foggy I should:
(a) Allow more
(b) Slow down as
(c) Increase gap between
(d) Use dipped headlights

A

(a) Allow more time for my journey
(b) Slow down as my visibility is reduced
(c) Increase gap between my vehicle and the one in front of me
(d) Use dipped headlights even in daylight. If visibility falls below 100m (328ft) use fog lights if I have them remembering to switch them off when the fog lifts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What must I always maintain even in wet conditions?

A

I should always maintain a safe separation distance, particularly if another vehicle overtakes and pulls in front of me

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

In faster conditions (such as a motorway) how can I help lower the risk of a collision?

A

By increasing the distance between vehicles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the main cause of skidding and how can I prevent it?

A

Skidding is mainly caused by the driver, I need to adjust my driving to the road, weather & traffic conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

When is the risk of skidding greatest?

A

In wet or icy conditions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How can I reduce the risk of skidding and wheelspin?

A

By driving at a lower gear and in as high a gear as possible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

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

A

So I won’t be taken by surprise and can slow down gradually before I reach a hazard such as a bend. Also I can avoid sudden steering movements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What should I do if I start to skid?

A

I should release the footbrake and reapply it gently. I should steer smoothly in the direction of the skid (if the back of the car skids to the right I should steer carefully to the right and vice versa)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What distance should I always maintain?

A

A safe separation distance particularly if another vehicle overtakes and pulls in front of me.

22
Q
  1. Aquaplaning may happen in heavy rain, what is aquaplaning in (a) heavy rain and (b) icy conditions?
  2. What should I do if the answers to 1a and 1b happen? (a) (b)
A
  1. (a) the tyres lift of the road surface and skate on a film of water
    (b) on ice the tyres may hardly make any noise
  2. (a) I should ease off the accelerator
    (b) do not brake until my steering feels normal again
23
Q

What should I do if I’ve driven through deep water such as a ford or a flood?

A

I should test my brakes and if necessary dry them out by by pressing lightly on the brake pedal as I go along.

24
Q

Why can hot weather also pose a danger?

A

The road surface may become soft and my tyres may not grip so well which may affect my braking and steering.

25
Q

Bright sunlight may dazzle, how can this affect other drivers & what should I do in this situation?

A

Other drivers may not be able to see my indicators blinking if they’re dazzled so I can consider giving an arm signal instead.

26
Q

Weather conditions have a major effect on my safety margins what should I consider if there’s bad weather such as snow, ice or thick fog?

A

Whether my journey is really necessary not underestimating the dangers.

27
Q

When driving in freezing weather what should I do?

A

Use the highest gear I can
Break gently and in plenty of time
Be prepared to stop and clean snow from my windscreen by hand if the wipers cannot keep it clear

28
Q

When it’s foggy what should I do?

A

I should allow more time for my journey.
I should slow down as my visibility is reduced.
I should Increase the gap between my vehicle and the one in front of me.
I should use dipped headlights even in daylight. If visibility falls below 100m (328ft) I should use fog lights if I have them and switch them off when the fog lifts.

29
Q

What is aquaplaning?

A

Something that may happen in heavy rain. The tyres lift off the roads surface and skate on a film of water and the steering becomes light.

30
Q

On ice the tyres make hardly any noise, what should I do if this happens?

A

Ease off the accelerator and do not brake until my steering feels normal again.

31
Q

If I’ve driven through deep water such as a ford or a flood I should test my brakes what else should I do if necessary?

A

I should dry them out by pressing lightly on the brake pedal as I go along.

32
Q

Why may hot weather also pose a danger?

A

The road surface could become soft and my tyres may not grip so well.

33
Q

What can hot weather affect?

A

Braking and steering.

34
Q

Bright sunlight can dazzle other drivers might not be able to see my indicators blinking if they’re dazzled. What should I consider doing?

A

I should consider giving an arm signal as well.

35
Q

High winds can blow me off course especially on an open stretch of the road. They have an even greater effect on high sided vehicles, cyclists and motorcyclists. What should I do if I pass these vehicles?

A

I should take care as I pass these road users as they may be blown off course by a sudden gust. Allow extra room and then check my left side as I pass them.

36
Q

What/Who is the main cause of skidding?

A

The driver

37
Q

How can I avoid skidding?

A

I can avoid skidding by adjusting my driving to the road, weather and traffic conditions.

38
Q

When is the risk of skidding greatest?

A

In wet or icy conditions

39
Q

When is the risk of skidding greatest?

A

In wet or icy conditions

40
Q

What is black ice?

A

When a layer of water freezes over the road, leaving a thin, glazed layer of ice. Despite the name, black ice is actually transparent. It gets its name from the dark colour of the road and pavement. The reason that black ice is so dangerous is because it’s hard to spot.

41
Q

Black ice is not as obvious until…

A

I feel the steering become light, in very cold weather it could be a hazard.

42
Q

How can I reduce the risk of skidding and wheelspin?

A

By driving at a low speed and in as high a gear as possible.

43
Q

What should I scan the road ahead for and why?

A

I should scan the road ahead for clues such as road signs and markings, so I should not then be taken by surprise.

44
Q

By scanning the road ahead for clues such as road signs and markings I can (a) (b)

A

(a) slow down gradually before I reach a hazard such as a bend
(b) avoid sudden steering movements

45
Q

What should I do if I start to skid? (a) (b)

A

(a) release the footbrake and reapply it gently
(b) steer smoothly in the direction of the skid, if the back of the car skids to the right, steer carefully to the right and vice versa

46
Q

Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) reduce the risk of skidding if I have to brake in an emergency. Wheel speed sensors anticipate when a wheel is about to lock. If I’m driving a vehicle with ABS I should (a) (b)

A

(a) apply the footbrake rapidly and firmly
(b) I should not release the brake pedal until I’ve stopped

47
Q

ABS does not necessarily reduce my stopping distance but I can continue to steer while braking because the wheels are prevented from locking. It may not work as effectively where there’s (a) (b)

A

(a) surface water
(b) a loose road surface

48
Q

Electronic stability control (ESC), sometimes known as Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), comprises the functions of ABS and traction control system, and aims to prevent a vehicle from skidding sideways. What else does ESC do?

A

ESC detects the risk of a skid at an early stage and provides selective braking intervention to restore vehicle stability. It’s now fitted to all new cars in the UK.

49
Q

What is a contraflow system?

A

A contraflow system is a traffic management strategy that allows the flow of vehicles to go in the opposite direction to what it normally would be. This only happens in very specific circumstances, such as road maintenance, an accident that needs police intervention, or special events to keep traffic moving.

50
Q

Where a temporary contraflow system is in operation, you’ll be travelling close to oncoming traffic, sometimes in narrow lanes. When you enter a contraflow system, what should I do? (a) (b) (c)

A

(a) reduce speed in good time
(b) choose an appropriate lane in good time
(c) keep the correct separation

51
Q

Where a temporary contraflow system is in operation, I’ll be travelling close to oncoming traffic, sometimes in narrow lanes. When I enter a contraflow system, I should: (a) (b) (c)

A

(a) Reduce speed in good time
(b) Choose an appropriate lane in good time
(c) Keep the correct separation distance

52
Q

FAQ’s

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

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

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

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

E. Why are there so many speed humps around?

A

A. Keeping well to the left improves my view of the road ahead and gives me an earlier indication of any hazards.

B. Apply the parking brake firmly and turn the steering wheel towards the kerb. This will help stop my vehicle rolling downhill.

C. It has improved road holding. The extra grip helps when travelling on slippery or uneven roads

D. Always ensure I have enough time to complete the manoeuvre safely. In particular, I should not overtake where my view ahead is blocked (for example, by a bend) or when approaching a junction or if I’m intending to turn off the road shortly afterwards.

E. These traffic-calming measures are normally found in built-up areas to improve the safety of the area. Slow right down as I approach and drive over them.

Driving Theory (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions