Alertness Flashcards
(32 cards)
What should you do before you move off?
Use your mirrors to check how your actions will affect traffic behind you.
Look around for a final check, including checking blind spots around your car.
Signal, if necessary.
It’s important to be aware of what’s happening around you while driving, including what?
Other road users Pedestrians Signs and road markings Weather conditions The area you're driving
What should you do if you can’t see behind you when reversing?
Ask someone to guide you to make sure you reverse safely.
What should you do if your view is blocked by parked cars when coming out of a junction?
Move forward slowly and carefully until you have a clear view.
Observation is particularly important when you’re overtaking another vehicle. You need to make sure you can see the road ahead clearly, looking out for what?
Vehicles coming towards you.
Whether you’re near a junction - vehicles could come out of the junction while you’re overtaking.
Whether the road gets narrower - there may not be enough space for you to overtake.
Bends or dips in the road, which will make it difficult for you to see traffic coming towards you.
Road signs that mean you MUST NOT overtake.
What must you check before overtaking?
That it’s safe, legal and necessary.
You have enough time to complete the overtaking manoeuvre.
When it gets dark should you switch your lights on even if the street lights aren’t on?
Yes
Where you can’t be seen, such as at a hump bridge what may you need to use?
Your horn
Why must you stay well back when following a large vehicle?
It will help the driver to see you in their mirrors.
Staying back will also help you see the road ahead much more clearly. This is especially important if you’re planning to overtake the vehicle.
What can anticipation help you to avoid? Give an example.
Anticipation can help you to avoid problems and incidents so that you can drive more safely.
For example, a ‘give way’ sign warns you that a junction is ahead, so you can slow down in good time.
Road signs and markings give you information about hazards. You should…
Follow their advice
Slow down if necessary
What do circular signs do?
Give orders
What do triangular signs do?
Give warnings
What do rectangular signs do?
Give information
When turning right onto a dual carriageway what must you check and why?
That the central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle to spot in, especially if you’re towing a trailer.
Do this in case you have to wait before joining the traffic.
When turning right onto a dual carriage way what must you do if there’s not enough space for your vehicle?
Only emerge when it’s clear both to the right and left.
Define dual carriageway.
A road that has a central reservation to separate the carriageway.
Define central reservation.
An area of land that separates opposing lanes of traffic.
If you’re approaching traffic lights that have been green for some time, what must you do and why?
Prepare to stop because they may change.
Road conditions will affect how easy it is to anticipate what might happen. When is it more difficult?
When the weather is very wet or windy.
When the light is poor.
When the traffic volume is heavy.
When the route you’re driving is new to you.
Be aware of more vulnerable road users. What must you watch out for?
Pedestrians approaching a crossing, especially young, older of disabled people who may need more time to cross the road.
Cyclists - always pass slowly and leave plenty of room especially if the cyclist is young and may have little experience of dealing with traffic.
Motorcyclists, who may be difficult to see.
Horses, which may be startled by the noise of your vehicle - pass them slowly and leave plenty of room.
Why must you always plan your journey?
So that you know which route you need to take.
So that you have regular rest stops.
You won’t be able to concentrate properly if you’re tired. It’s particularly easy to feel sleeping when driving on a motorway, especially at night. What must you do?
Don’t drive continuously for more than two hours.
Keep fresh air circulating in the car.
If you start to feel drowsy, leave at the next exit. Find a safe and legal place to stop and take a break.
What devices such as phones, music players and navigation systems do when driving a car?
Divide your concentration between the road ahead and what you’re hearing.
