Safety & Your Vehicle

Question 1

What will regular care and maintenance ensure?

Answer 1

That my car is safe and roadworthy

Question 2

Which items should be checked on a regular basis?

Answer 2

Lights, brakes, steering, exhaust system, seatbelts, horn, speedometer, wipers and washers.

Oil and water levels (especially important before long journeys - be careful not to overfill with oil as this can cause leaks)

Brake fluid (if this is low it’s dangerous and can cause incidents)

Battery levels (unless it’s a maintenance free battery - it may need topping up to just above the cell plates with distilled water)

The windscreen

Type pressures (check regularly at least once a week when cold to get a more accurate reading - under-inflated tyres cause steering to feel heavier, increase fuel consumption and affect braking)

Tyre condition (the tread of car and trailer types must be at least 1.6 mm deep across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference. It’s illegal to drive with tyres that have deep cuts in the side walls)

Question 3

What can cause uneven wear on the tyres?

Answer 3

Faults in the braking system, suspension and/or wheel alignment.

Question 4

What can unbalanced wheels cause?

Answer 4

The steering to vibrate

Question 5

What’ll help me to recognise signs of a defect?

Answer 5

Having a basic understanding of how my car works

Question 6

It’s important to have my car regularly checked by a qualified mechanic, especially…

Answer 6

The brakes and steering

Question 7

What do the warning lights on the dashboard do?

Answer 7

They tell me about the performance of my engine and warn me of any faults

Question 8

When should be ABS warning light go out?
What should I do if it doesn’t?

Answer 8

When I’m travelling at 5-10mph (8-16km/h) if it doesn’t I should have it checked by a qualified mechanic

Question 9

How do I check the condition of my shock absorbers?

Answer 9

‘Bounce’ the vehicle by pushing down hard on each wheel, there should be no more than one rebound when released

Question 10

Why should I consult a garage as soon as possible if (a) the steering vibrates (b) the vehicle pulls to one side when I brake?

Answer 10

A. I may need to have the wheels balanced
B. My brakes may need adjusting

Question 11

Wear my seatbelt and make sure my passengers wear theirs (unless exempt). Who is responsible for making sure that children under 14 wear a suitable restraint?

Answer 11

As the driver I am responsible for ensuring that children under 14 wear a suitable restraint. If a correct child restraint is not available in the rear seat an adult seatbelt must be used.

Question 12

Never fit a rear-facing baby seat in a seat protected by an active airbag because?

Answer 12

This could cause fatal injuries, the airbag must be deactivated first.

Question 13

How much can I be fined if I’m caught without a seatbelt?

Answer 13

Up to £500

Question 14

When I get into the car I…
(A) Adjust
(B) Adjust
(C) Wear
(D) Ajust

Answer 14

A. Adjust the seat to ensure that I can reach all controls in comfort.
B. Adjust to head restraint to help prevent neck injury in a collision.
C. Wear suitable shoes so that I can keep control of the pedals.
D. Adjust the mirrors to maximise my field of vision. (Convex mirrors give a wider view but make vehicles look further away than they are).

Question 15

What lights should I use if:
A. Visibility is poor
B. There’s a thick fog

Answer 15

A. I should use my dipped headlights if the visibility is poor.
B. If there’s a thick fog I should use my fog lights

Question 16

Which direction should I park in on a two way road at night? What should I do differently if the speed limit is over 30mph?

Answer 16

I should park in the direction of the traffic. If the speed limit is over 30mph I should switch on my parking lights.

Question 17

Hazard warning lights are fitted so I can warn drivers of a hazard ahead such as (a) (b).
Do not use them as (c)

Answer 17

(a) When I’ve broken down
(b) Queuing traffic on a dual carriageway or motorway
(c) Do not use them as an excuse to park illegally even for a short time

Question 18

How can I make it difficult for a thief to break into my car and/or steal it?
(a) engaging the
(b) removing the
(c) locking any
(d) not leaving
(e) parking in a well-lit

Answer 18

(a) engaging the steering lock
(b) removing the keys, I should lock my car even if I’m only leaving it for a short time
(c) locking any contents especially valuables out of sight or bringing them with me
(d) not leaving the vehicle registration document in the car as the thief could declare ownership.
(e) parking in a well-lit area or in a secure car park at night when possible

Question 19

Radios and other forms of in-car entertainment are prime targets for thieves, what should I do?

Answer 19

I should install a security-coded radio. This would be of little use if it were stolen.

Question 20

Avoid parking vehicle were it would cause an obstruction to other road users such as
1. In front of a
2. At or near
3. Near the brow
4. Where the kerb has been lowered
5. On a ______ or opposite of ______
6. Never stop or park or near
7. On zigzag lines

Answer 20

1. In front of a property entrance
2. At or near a bus stop
3. Near the brow of a hill
4. Where the kerb has been lowered for wheelchair access
5. On a bend or opposite a side road
6. On or near a level crossing
7. On zigzag lines at a pedestrian crossing

Question 21

Motor vehicles can harm the environment, causing air pollution, while using up natural resources that cannot be replaced. How can I ensure I contribute to the environment?

Answer 21

Help the environment by driving in a fuel-efficient manner. This will help improve road safety, reduce exhaust emissions and reduce my fuel consumption.

Question 22

I should reduce my speed - vehicles travelling at 70 mph use up to 15% more fuel than those travelling at 50 mph.

I should plan well ahead so I can drive smoothly - avoiding rapid acceleration and heavy braking can cut my fuel bill by up to 15%.

I should change up as soon as I can so that I use the highest possible gear without making the engine struggle. Keeping the engine revs down uses less fuel.

I should have my vehicle regularly serviced and tuned properly.

I should make sure my tyres are correctly inflated.

Answer 22

I should avoid carrying unnecessary loads or leaving an empty roof rack on my car.

I should avoid over-revving the engine in lower gears.

I should avoid leaving the engine running unnecessarily, if my vehicle is stationary and likely to be so for more than a few seconds I should switch off the engine.

Question 23

How must I not leave my vehicle?

Answer 23

Unattended with the engine running. I must always switch off the engine and secure the vehicle before leaving it.

Question 24

With the exclusion of driving. How else can I make short journeys?

Answer 24

Walking or cycling

Question 25

How can I contribute to the reduction of the volume of traffic and the emissions it creates?

Answer 25

By using public transport or sharing a car

Question 26

How must my filler cap be at all times and why?

Answer 26

Securely fastened which protects both fuel and money, avoiding spilt diesel fuel which makes the road slippery for other road users

Question 27

What are the benefits of having regular car servicing?

Answer 27

Better fuel economy and cleaner exhaust emissions (if vehicle is over 3 years old it will have to pass an emissions test as part of the MOT test)

Question 28

Bearing in mind noise pollution, what times should I not use my horn in built up areas?

Answer 28

Unless another vehicle poses a danger I must not use my car horn between 11:30pm to 07:00am.

Question 29

What could continuous high speeds increase the risk of?

Answer 29

Breakdown

Question 30

What should I do before making a long motorway journey?

Answer 30

I should check my vehicle particularly oil, water and tyre pressure

Question 31

I’ll have an easier and more pleasant journey if I:
A) Plan…
B) Avoid…
C) Allow…

Answer 31

A) Plan my route before starting out
B) Avoid busy times, if possible
C) Allow plenty of time for my journey especially if I have an appointment to keep or a connection to make

Question 32

Name 4 ways in which I can plan my route?

Answer 32

1. Looking at a map
2. Using satellite navigation equipment
3. Checking with a motoring organisation
4. Using a route planner on the internet

Question 33

If I can avoid travelling at busy times I’ll (a) (b)

Answer 33

(a) be less likely to be delayed
(b) help ease congestion for those who have to travel at these times

Question 34

In some areas I may have to pay a __________________ to use congested road space. In London what may I also have to pay?

Answer 34

(a) a congestion charge
(b) the ULEZ Ultra Low Emissions Zone and or LEZ Low Emission Zone charges

Question 35

What is ‘dry steering’ and why is it bad?

Answer 35

Dry steering is where you turn the steering wheel while the car is not moving, it can cause unnecessary wear to the tyres and steering mechanism.

Question 36

What is a catalytic converter?

Answer 36

It is a device fitted to the exhaust system. It reduces emissions by acting like a filter, removing some of the toxic waste

Question 37

What is a catalytic converter?

Answer 37

It is a device fitted to the exhaust system. It reduces emissions by acting like a filter, removing some of the toxic waste

Question 38

What types of traffic calming measures are out there?

Answer 38

Road Humps, Road Narrowing, Chicanes,

Question 39

A reduced speed limit of _________ is being introduced on many narrow residential streets. Look out for the signs, remember the measures are there for a good reason: they could save lives

Answer 39

20mph (32km/h)

Question 40

In an automatic car, what is “kick-down”?

Answer 40

This is a device that gives quick acceleration when needed; for example, to overtake. Excessive use of kick-down will burn more fuel.