Safety Margins and Vehicle Handling Flashcards
How much of a gap should you leave in good/ dry conditions?
2 seconds
“Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule”
How does stopping distance change in WET conditions?
DOUBLE
4 seconds
How does stopping distance change in SNOW and ICE?
10x longer
Other than weather, what can effect stopping distance?
Tyres: underinflated or worn
Hot road surfaces: less grip for tyres
What is ABS? What does this allow?
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
Driving a car with ABS, how do you brake in an emergency?
Firmly + Rapidly
Can you lock an ABS system?
Yes, momentarily
(it’s not impossible)
What can fool ABS?
LOOSE surfaces
Tips on crossing a ford
Check marker post- may need alternate route in heavy rain
Use LOW gear
Cross slowly
Check brakes (will be wet)
Uphill gears
LOW
1+2
What should you do when at the top of the hill?
Keep car in low gear
Uses car engine to control speed
What would happen if you keep braking when going down hill?
Brake fade
Sudden + temporary reduction in braking performance due to heat in brakes
What is coasting?
Travelling with clutch down or in neutral
NO engine braking, reduced control
How should you drive in snow and ice conditions?
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
What is aquaplaning?
Separation between surface of tyre + road created by a layer of water
What are 3 causes of loss of traction?
Aquaplaning
Ice
Oil
How can you tell when you have lost traction?
Less noise from tyres
Light steering (less grip)
What is indicated by the electronic stability control (ESC) light?
Wheels spinning
Only warning light the car sorts out itself
Stops wheels spinning- light goes out
What should you do if you lose traction?
Ease off accelerator
DONT BRAKE
What lights should you use in daytime when visibility is reduced to 100m?
Dipped headlights (poor visibility)
When driving on a well lit road at night what lights do you use?
Dipped headlights
What lights do you use when parking?
Parking lights(side lights)
Which lights do you use when parking in fog?
Parking lights
(NOT fog lights)
If speed limit is greater than 30mph and you are parking what lights do you use?
Parking lights
When do you use fog lights?
When visibility is seriously reduced: <100m
Makes you more visible
Tips for driving in fog
Allow more time for journey
Ensure windows + lights are clean
Keep a good distance from car infront (can look further away in fog)
Why should fog lights be turned off when fog has cleared?
Can dazzle others
Can be confused with brake lights
Where are rumble strips found?
Where there have been more accidents than the national average for that type of road/ junction
What is the purpose of rumble strips?
Alert you to a hazard
Alert you to your speed
What is the purpose of speed bumps?
Traffic calming
Slow down
When parking on a hill, facing downhill what should you do?
Face wheels TOWARDS curb
If handbrake failed/ hit from behind, car would just bump curb
When parking on a hill, facing uphill, what should you do?
Face wheels AWAY from curb
