4. safety margins

Question 1

when your travelling downhill how can you keep control of your car and control your speed? (2)

Answer 1

• selecting a lower gear

- braking gently

Question 2

what is coasting and why should you not do it?

Answer 2

travelling in neutral or with the clutch pressed down as it reduces your control

Question 3

what is the overall stopping distance?

Answer 3

the distance your car travels from the moment you realise you must break to the moment the vehicle stops

Question 4

when rainy what gap should you leave between you and the car infront?

Answer 4

4 seconds

Question 5

when its icy what gap should you leave between you and the car in front?

Answer 5

20 seconds

Question 6

how should you drive in freezing weather?

Answer 6

• use highest gear you can
• brake gently w plenty of time
• be prepared to stop and clear snow if your windscreen wipers can’t

Question 7

how should you drive when its foggy?

Answer 7

• allow more time for your journey
• slow down as less visibility
• increase gap between you and the vehicle in front of you
• used dipped headlights even in daylight
• use fog lights if visibility is below 100m

Question 8

what is aquaplaning?

Answer 8

during heavy rain tyres may lift off the road and skate on top of the water makes the steering light

Question 9

how do you deal with aquaplaning?

Answer 9

• ease off the accelerator

- don’t brake until steering feels normal again

Question 10

what should you do with your brakes if you are driving through deep water (e.g. ford or flood)

Answer 10

test your brakes and if needed dry them out by pressing lightly on the brake pedal as you go along

Question 11

why can hot weather be dangerous?

Answer 11

road surface may become soft and tyres may not grip as well, can affect your braking and steering

Question 12

if its bright sunlight that dazzles and other drivers can’t see your indicators what can you consider doing?

Answer 12

using an arm signal

Question 13

why are high winds dangerous?

Answer 13

can blow you off course esp on an open stretch of road

Question 14

which types of vehicles to high winds effect most? (3)

Answer 14

• high-sided vehicles
• motorcyclists
• cyclists

Question 15

how should you pass high-sided vehicles, motorcyclists, cyclists in high winds?

Answer 15

be careful as can be blown off course by a sudden gust so allow extra room and check your left side as you pass them

Question 16

what condiditions make skidding more likely?

Answer 16

• wet

- icy

Question 17

what sign shows you you are on black ice (as it is invisible)?

Answer 17

steering becomes light

Question 18

how can you reduce the risk of skidding and wheelspin by driving?

Answer 18

• at a low speed

- in as high a gear as possible

Question 19

how do you reduce the chance of skidding?

Answer 19

scan the road for clues e.g. road signs and markings so your not taken by surprise you can

• slow down gradually before you reach a hazard e.g. bend
• avoid sudden steering movements

Question 20

what should you do if you do start to skid?

Answer 20

• release the footbrake and reapply gently
• steer smoothly in direction of the skid - e.g. if back of the car skids to the right steer carefully to the right and vice versa

Question 21

what can ABS (anti-lock braking system) do?

Answer 21

• reduce risk of skidding if you have to brake suddenly
• sensors in the wheel anticipate when it is about to lock
• allows you to contrinue to steers while braking as wheels made to not lock

Question 22

what should you do if your driving as vehicle with ABS?

Answer 22

• apply footbrake rapidly and firmly

- don’t release the brake pedal until you’ve stopped

Question 23

when may ABS not be effective?

Answer 23

• if there is surface water

- if there is a loose road surface

Question 24

what is ABS?

Answer 24

anti-lock braking system

Question 25

what is ESC?

Answer 25

electronic stability control/programme

Question 26

what does ESC do?

Answer 26

the function of ABS with traction control system to prevent vehicle from skidding sideways. detects risk of a skid early and provides selective braking intervation

Question 27

what is a contraflow system?

Answer 27

to put it simply, a contraflow system is defined as a temporary arrangement where traffic flows in the opposite direction to how it should normally flow and is most commonly used on motorways. narrow lanes sometimes and travelling close to oncoming traffic

Question 28

what should you do when you enter a contraflow system you should

Answer 28

- reduce speed in good time - choose appropriate lane in good time - keep correct seperation distance

Question 29

why shoudl you keep well left before a right-hand bend?

Answer 29

improves view of the road ahead, can see hazards earlier

Question 30

how do you park safely on a downhill slope?

Answer 30

apply parking brake firmly and turn steering wheel towards the kerb

Question 31

what are the benefits of a four wheel drive?

Answer 31

improved road holding - extra grip is better for slippy/uneven road

Question 32

where should you not overtake?

Answer 32

- when view ahead in blocked e.g. bend - approaching a junction - intending to turn off the road shortly afterwards

Question 33

what would suggest your driving on an icy road?

Answer 33

no tyre noise

Question 34

what will help you move off on a snowy surface?

Answer 34

using a higher gear than normal

Question 35

whats the main cause of skidding?

Answer 35

the driver

Question 36

when driving in freezing conditions what should you do when you approach a sharp bedn?

Answer 36

slow down gently

Question 37

how should you brake in snowy conditions?

Answer 37

gently w plenty of time

Question 38

how do you control the speed of your vehicle down a steep hill?

Answer 38

select a low gear and use the brakes carefully

Question 39

how can you use your vehicles engine as a brake?

Answer 39

by changing to a lower gear