Set 1 Flashcards
Which road users are most likely to be injured in the event of a collision?
Pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, motorcyclists. (MOST VULNERABLE: children/elderly/disabled)
At a junction, what are the rules regarding giving way to pedestrians?
You SHOULD give way to pedestrians crossing/waiting to cross a road into which or from you are turning.
You arrive at a zebra crossing, when should you give way to pedestrians?
When pedestrians are on, or waiting at, a zebra crossing
You arrive at a parallel crossing, when should you give way?
To pedestrians and cyclists on/waiting to cross
Who can use the pavement?
Only pedestrians (including wheelchairs and motility scooters).
What parts of the road can pedestrians use?
The pavement or any part of the road - if no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so you can see oncoming traffic.
Cycle tracks can be used too (unless prohibited signs are in situ).
If you want to turn left into a junction, what should you do if their is a cyclist/horse rider coming along to your left?
Wait for the cyclist to pass the junction before turning. You should stop and wait for a safe gap in the flow of cyclists if necessary.
What are the rules for zebra crossings?
Marked by flashing beacons.
Drivers should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross and MUST give way to pedestrians already on the crossing.
What are the rules for pelican crossings? (describe the phases)
Signal-controlled crossings operated by pedestrians. They have a red figure, steady green and flashing green figure phase.
What is the difference between puffin and pelican crossings?
Puffin crossings have red/green figures above the control box on your side of the road, no flashing green figure phase.
What are the rules for toucan crossings?
Light-controlled crossings which allow cyclists + pedestrians to share space at the same time. Push-button operated.
What are equestrian crossings?
For horse riders. They have pavement barriers, wider crossing spaces.
Who must you report to if you have any health condition which is likely to affect your driving?
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
How should you minimise your risk of being tired whilst driving which increases chance of collisions?
Make sure you are fit to drive, don’t begin a journey if you are tired. Get sleep before long journeys.
Avoid long journeys between midnight/6am - natural alertness is minimum
Take sufficient breaks
How many breaks should you take whilst driving to ensure safe alertness?
at least 15 minutes after every 2 hours
What should you do if you feel sleepy whilst driving?
Stop in a safe place. Don’t stop on the hard shoulder/emergency area of a motorway.
What vision requirements must you meet before driving?
To read a vehicle number plate in good daylight, from a distance of 20 metres/ 20.5 metres for old style number plates.
If needed you must wear glasses/contact lenses.
What can the police do if they question your vision capability?
Require the driver to undergo an eyesight test.
What should you do if you are dazzled by bright sunlight?
slow down/ stop if necessary
What methods should you not use to normally improve vision at night/in poor visibility?
tinted glasses/lenses or visors
What are the breath/blood alcohol levels in England and Wales which you must not surpass in order to be legal to drive?
A level higher than 35 microgrammes/100 millilitres of breath
A blood alcohol level of 80 milligrammes/100 millilitres
What are the breath/blood alcohol levels in Scotland which you must not surpass in order to be legal to drive?
A level higher than 22 microgrammes/100 millilitres of breath
A blood alcohol level of 50 milligrammes/100 millilitres
How will alcohol affect a driver?
Give a false sense of confidence
Reduce co-ordination/slow reactions
Affect judgement of speed,distance, risk
Reduce driving ability, even below legal limit
How long after consuming alcohol does it take for you to regain full concentration?
Alcohol takes time to leave the body, you many unfit to drive in the evening if having drank at lunchtime or in the morning after drinking the previous evening
What must you do before setting off?
Have a valid driving license/insurance to the vehicle you intend to use
Check your vehicle is roadworthy/legal
Have planned your route/allowed sufficient time for breaks/delays
Have sufficient fuel
Understand controls of the car
Are wearing suitable clothing which don’t prevent you from using the controls in the correct manner
Adjust mirrors/seat properly
Why should you adjust your head restraint?
To reduce neck/spine injuries in a collision
Why should you adjust your mirrors and seat?
To ensure comfort, full control and maximum control
What is recommended that you have in your car for emergency use?
A mobile containing emergency contacts
High-visibility clothing
Who must use a seatbelt?
Adults, and children aged 14 years and over must use a seat belt/ child restraint. Exemptions include those with medical conditions (with certified certificate), or those making deliveries/collections in goods vehicles when travelling less than 50 metres.
A child under the age of 3 is in the front and rear seat of the car. What are the rules regarding their seat belt/child restraint?Who is responsible?
IN FRONT - must wear child restraint
IN REAR - must wear child restraint (unless not available in taxi)
Driver is responsible
A child from 3 years old to 1.35 metres/12th birthday is in the front and rear seat of the car. What are the rules regarding their seat belt/child restraint?Who is responsible?
IN FRONT - must wear child restraint
IN REAR - must wear child restraint or adult belt if correct restraint isn’t available
Driver is responsible
A child over 1.35 metres/12 or 13 years old is in the front and rear seat of the car. What are the rules regarding their seat belt/child restraint?Who is responsible?
IN FRONT - must wear seat belt if available
IN REAR - must wear seat belt if available
Driver is responsible
An adult passenger aged 14 years or older is in the front and rear seat of the car. What are the rules regarding their seat belt/child restraint?Who is responsible?
IN FRONT - must wear seat belt if available
IN REAR - must wear seat belt if available
Passenger is responsible
What are the ways in which drivers should keep children safe?
Children should enter the vehicle through the door nearest the kerb
Child restraints in place that are properly fitted to manufacturer’s instructions
Don’t seat them behind the rear seats in an estate/hatchback, unless a child seat has been fitted
Child safety door locks, where fitted, must be used
Children should be kept under control
What are the ways in which drivers should keep children safe?
Children should enter the vehicle through the door nearest the kerb
Child restraints in place that are properly fitted to manufacturer’s instructions
Don’t seat them behind the rear seats in an estate/hatchback, unless a child seat has been fitted
Child safety door locks, where fitted, must be used
Children should be kept under control
What are signals used for?
To warn/inform other road users of your intended actions
- give clear signals in plenty of time
- make sure they aren’t confusing (if stopping after a junction, wait until you are passing it before signalling)
(Signalling doesn’t give priority)
When should you use signals?
To advise others before changing direction, stopping or moving off
When should a driver use arm signals?
To emphasise/reinforce your signal if necessary.
Which types of people’s signal’s MUST you obey?
Police officers, traffic officers, traffic wardens and signs by school crossings.
How will the police attract your attention and tell you to stop?
flashing blue lights, headlights OR siren/horn (usually from behind)
directing you to pull over by pointing and/or using indicator
YOU MUST pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Switch off your engine.
Who else, other than the police, have powers to stop vehicles on all roads? How do they signal you to stop?
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Officers
flash amber lights from either:
- THE FRONT - asking to follow them to a safe place to stop
- BEHIND - pointing or using indicator
When can traffic officers have the power to stop vehicles? How do they do it?
On most motorways and some ‘A’ class roads in England/Wales.
If in uniform, they flash amber lights, usually from behind. Point and/or indicate
When should you flash your headlights?
To notify other road users of your presence
(don’t flash to invite others to proceed - use own judgement)
When may you use your horn?
Only while the vehicle is moving to warn others of your presence. Never sound aggressively.
NEVER sound:
- when stationary
- driving in built-up areas between 11:30pm and 7:00am
EXCEPT when another road user poses a danger
What lights must you ensure are lit between sunset and sunrise?
Sidelights + rear registration plate lights
Use headlights at night (except where street lights are present)
NIGHT = 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before sunrise
What lights should you use when visibility is seriously reduced?
headlights
When should you use front/rear fog lights?
Only when visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling others
What should you do in stationary traffic (lights)?
apply parking brake and, once traffic has stopped behind, take foot off the footbrake to deactivate break lights (minimising glare for others)
When should you used dipped headlights?
at night inbuilt-up areas/ dull daytime weather
keep dipped when overtaking until you are level with the other vehicle, then change to main beam if necessary
What should you do if dazzled by oncoming headlights?
slow down/stop in safe place if necessary
When may you use hazard warning lights?
When a vehicle is stationary to warn its temporarily obstructing traffic
When a vehicle is moving/being towed ONLY when on a motorway/unrestricted dual carriageway to warn drivers of an obstruction ahead.
ONLY use long enough to ensure your warning has been observed.
In normal circumstances, how is the safest way to brake?
early and lightly. Brake more firmly as you begin to stop. Ease pressure off just before the vehicle comes to rest (to avoid jerky stop)
How should you brake in an emergency?
Brake immediately. Try to avoid braking harshly (causing you to lock your wheels).
What can locked wheels lead to?
loss of control
How is skidding usually caused?
By the driver braking, accelerating or steering too harshly/ driving too fast for the road conditions.
How should you deal with a skid?
Releasing the brake pedal fully/ easing off the accelerator
Turn the wheel in the direction of the skid.
What do ABS do?
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
If fitted, follow the vehicle handbook
But, if in emergency, apply footbrake firmly, don’t remove footbrake until desired speed is acquired.
ABS should ensure steering control is retained
Don’t assume vehicles with ABS have a shorter stopping distance
How should you deal with brakes affected by water?
If driven through deep water, brakes will be less effective.
Test them at the first safe opportunity by pushing gently on the brake pedal to make sure they work.
If not fully effective, gently apply light pressure while driving slowly to dry them out.
What is coasting?
A vehicle travelling in neutral/ with clutch pressed down. It can reduce driver control.
How does coasting reduce driver control?
- Engine braking is eliminated
- Vehicle speed downhill with increase quickly
- increased use of the footbrake can reduce effectiveness
- steering response will be effected - especially on bends/corners
- might be more difficult to select the appropriate gear when needed
How should you leave a vehicle stationary to help protect the environment?
DON’T leave engine running if parked unattended/ unnecessarily.
If vehicle is likely to remain stationary for more than 2 mins, apply parking brake and switch off engine (reduce emissions/ noise pollution)
You can leave running if in traffic/for diagnosing faults.
What is the speed limit for cars/motorcycles in built-up areas?
30mph
What is the speed limit for cars/motorcycles on single-carriageways?
60mph
What is the speed limit for cars/motorcycles on dual-carriageways?
70mph