Safety Margins and Vehicle Handling

Question 1

How much of a gap should you leave in good/ dry conditions?

Answer 1

2 seconds
“Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule”

Question 2

How does stopping distance change in WET conditions?

Answer 2

DOUBLE
4 seconds

Question 3

How does stopping distance change in SNOW and ICE?

Answer 3

10x longer

Question 4

Other than weather, what can effect stopping distance?

Answer 4

Tyres: underinflated or worn
Hot road surfaces: less grip for tyres

Question 5

What is ABS? What does this allow?

Answer 5

Anti-lock braking system
Allows you to brake firmly + rapidly without locking front wheels (which would cause car to screech along)
Allows STEERING CONTROL under braking

Question 6

Driving a car with ABS, how do you brake in an emergency?

Answer 6

Firmly + Rapidly

Question 7

Can you lock an ABS system?

Answer 7

Yes, momentarily
(it’s not impossible)

Question 8

What can fool ABS?

Answer 8

LOOSE surfaces

Question 9

Tips on crossing a ford

Answer 9

Check marker post- may need alternate route in heavy rain
Use LOW gear
Cross slowly
Check brakes (will be wet)

Question 10

Uphill gears

Answer 10

LOW
1+2

Question 11

What should you do when at the top of the hill?

Answer 11

Keep car in low gear
Uses car engine to control speed

Question 12

What would happen if you keep braking when going down hill?

Answer 12

Brake fade
Sudden + temporary reduction in braking performance due to heat in brakes

Question 13

What is coasting?

Answer 13

Travelling with clutch down or in neutral
NO engine braking, reduced control

Question 14

How should you drive in snow and ice conditions?

Answer 14

HIGH gear (low gear would cause wheel spinning)
LOW speed
Gentle braking
Snow chains: give more grip in extreme conditions
DONT drive unless journey is essential

Question 15

What is aquaplaning?

Answer 15

Separation between surface of tyre + road created by a layer of water

Question 16

What are 3 causes of loss of traction?

Answer 16

Aquaplaning
Ice
Oil

Question 17

How can you tell when you have lost traction?

Answer 17

Less noise from tyres
Light steering (less grip)

Question 18

What is indicated by the electronic stability control (ESC) light?

Answer 18

Wheels spinning
Only warning light the car sorts out itself
Stops wheels spinning- light goes out

Question 19

What should you do if you lose traction?

Answer 19

Ease off accelerator
DONT BRAKE

Question 20

What lights should you use in daytime when visibility is reduced to 100m?

Answer 20

Dipped headlights (poor visibility)

Question 21

When driving on a well lit road at night what lights do you use?

Answer 21

Dipped headlights

Question 22

What lights do you use when parking?

Answer 22

Parking lights(side lights)

Question 23

Which lights do you use when parking in fog?

Answer 23

Parking lights
(NOT fog lights)

Question 24

If speed limit is greater than 30mph and you are parking what lights do you use?

Answer 24

Parking lights

Question 25

When do you use fog lights?

Answer 25

When visibility is seriously reduced: <100m
Makes you more visible

Question 26

Tips for driving in fog

Answer 26

Allow more time for journey
Ensure windows + lights are clean
Keep a good distance from car infront (can look further away in fog)

Question 27

Why should fog lights be turned off when fog has cleared?

Answer 27

Can dazzle others
Can be confused with brake lights

Question 28

Where are rumble strips found?

Answer 28

Where there have been more accidents than the national average for that type of road/ junction

Question 29

What is the purpose of rumble strips?

Answer 29

Alert you to a hazard
Alert you to your speed

Question 30

What is the purpose of speed bumps?

Answer 30

Traffic calming
Slow down

Question 31

When parking on a hill, facing downhill what should you do?

Answer 31

Face wheels TOWARDS curb
If handbrake failed/ hit from behind, car would just bump curb

Question 32

When parking on a hill, facing uphill, what should you do?

Answer 32

Face wheels AWAY from curb