Safety Margins

Question 1

What is my personal safety margin?

Answer 1

The space I maintain around my vehicle. (I should think about my personal safety margin the next time I drive, am I getting too close to other vehicles

Question 2

Whose safety should I always keep in mind?

Answer 2

My own, my passengers, other road users

Question 3

In relation to safety margins, how can I reduce my chances of being involved in a road traffic incident?

Answer 3

By knowing the safety margins and the risks caused by not adhering to them. Never take unnecessary risks.

Question 4

How should I position my vehicle?

Answer 4

Appropriately (for example when on bends) to improve my view of the road ahead.

Question 5

What is ‘coasting’ and why shouldn’t I do it?

Answer 5

Coasting means travelling in neutral or with the clutch disengaged (pressed down). I shouldn’t do it because it reduces my control of my car.

Question 6

How can I control my speed when I’m travelling downhill?

Answer 6

Selecting a lower gear and breaking gently

Question 7

Why should I leave enough room between my vehicle and the one in front?

Answer 7

So I can pull up safely if it slows down or stops suddenly

Question 8

What is my overall stopping distance?

Answer 8

The distance my car travels from the moment I realise I must brake to the moment my car stops.

This is made up of thinking distance and braking distance

Question 9

Study the typical thinking, braking and stopping distances given in the Highway Code. These are based on vehicles travelling
(a) with
(b) on
(c) in

Answer 9

(a) with good tyres and brakes
(b) on a dry road
(c) in good conditions

Question 10

Weather conditions have a major effect on my safety margins. What should I do if there’s bad weather such as snow, ice or thick fog?

Answer 10

I should consider whether my journey is really necessary never underestimating the dangers

Question 11

Where should you clear ice from before starting a journey?

Answer 11

Windows, lights, mirrors, number plates

Question 12

When driving in icy weather I should:
(a) use
(b) brake
(c) be prepared

Answer 12

(a) use the highest gear I can
(b) brake gently and in plenty of time
(c) be prepared to stop and clean snow from your windscreen by hand if the wipers cannot keep it clear.

Question 13

When it’s foggy I should:
(a) Allow more
(b) Slow down as
(c) Increase gap between
(d) Use dipped headlights

Answer 13

(a) Allow more time for my journey
(b) Slow down as my visibility is reduced
(c) Increase gap between my vehicle and the one in front of me
(d) Use dipped headlights even in daylight. If visibility falls below 100m (328ft) use fog lights if I have them remembering to switch them off when the fog lifts

Question 14

What must I always maintain even in wet conditions?

Answer 14

I should always maintain a safe separation distance, particularly if another vehicle overtakes and pulls in front of me

Question 15

In faster conditions (such as a motorway) how can I help lower the risk of a collision?

Answer 15

By increasing the distance between vehicles

Question 16

What is the main cause of skidding and how can I prevent it?

Answer 16

Skidding is mainly caused by the driver, I need to adjust my driving to the road, weather & traffic conditions

Question 17

When is the risk of skidding greatest?

Answer 17

In wet or icy conditions

Question 18

How can I reduce the risk of skidding and wheelspin?

Answer 18

By driving at a lower gear and in as high a gear as possible

Question 19

Why should I scan the road ahead for road signs and markings?

Answer 19

So I won’t be taken by surprise and can slow down gradually before I reach a hazard such as a bend. Also I can avoid sudden steering movements

Question 20

What should I do if I start to skid?

Answer 20

I should release the footbrake and reapply it gently. I should steer smoothly in the direction of the skid (if the back of the car skids to the right I should steer carefully to the right and vice versa)

Question 21

What distance should I always maintain?

Answer 21

A safe separation distance particularly if another vehicle overtakes and pulls in front of me.

Question 22

1. Aquaplaning may happen in heavy rain, what is aquaplaning in (a) heavy rain and (b) icy conditions?
2. What should I do if the answers to 1a and 1b happen? (a) (b)

Answer 22

1. (a) the tyres lift of the road surface and skate on a film of water
   (b) on ice the tyres may hardly make any noise
2. (a) I should ease off the accelerator
   (b) do not brake until my steering feels normal again

Question 23

What should I do if I’ve driven through deep water such as a ford or a flood?

Answer 23

I should test my brakes and if necessary dry them out by by pressing lightly on the brake pedal as I go along.

Question 24

Why can hot weather also pose a danger?

Answer 24

The road surface may become soft and my tyres may not grip so well which may affect my braking and steering.

Question 25

Bright sunlight may dazzle, how can this affect other drivers & what should I do in this situation?

Answer 25

Other drivers may not be able to see my indicators blinking if they’re dazzled so I can consider giving an arm signal instead.

Question 26

Weather conditions have a major effect on my safety margins what should I consider if there’s bad weather such as snow, ice or thick fog?

Answer 26

Whether my journey is really necessary not underestimating the dangers.

Question 27

When driving in freezing weather what should I do?

Answer 27

Use the highest gear I can Break gently and in plenty of time Be prepared to stop and clean snow from my windscreen by hand if the wipers cannot keep it clear

Question 28

When it’s foggy what should I do?

Answer 28

I should allow more time for my journey. I should slow down as my visibility is reduced. I should Increase the gap between my vehicle and the one in front of me. I should use dipped headlights even in daylight. If visibility falls below 100m (328ft) I should use fog lights if I have them and switch them off when the fog lifts.

Question 29

What is aquaplaning?

Answer 29

Something that may happen in heavy rain. The tyres lift off the roads surface and skate on a film of water and the steering becomes light.

Question 30

On ice the tyres make hardly any noise, what should I do if this happens?

Answer 30

Ease off the accelerator and do not brake until my steering feels normal again.

Question 31

If I’ve driven through deep water such as a ford or a flood I should test my brakes what else should I do if necessary?

Answer 31

I should dry them out by pressing lightly on the brake pedal as I go along.

Question 32

Why may hot weather also pose a danger?

Answer 32

The road surface could become soft and my tyres may not grip so well.

Question 33

What can hot weather affect?

Answer 33

Braking and steering.

Question 34

Bright sunlight can dazzle other drivers might not be able to see my indicators blinking if they’re dazzled. What should I consider doing?

Answer 34

I should consider giving an arm signal as well.

Question 35

High winds can blow me off course especially on an open stretch of the road. They have an even greater effect on high sided vehicles, cyclists and motorcyclists. What should I do if I pass these vehicles?

Answer 35

I should take care as I pass these road users as they may be blown off course by a sudden gust. Allow extra room and then check my left side as I pass them.

Question 36

What/Who is the main cause of skidding?

Answer 36

The driver

Question 37

How can I avoid skidding?

Answer 37

I can avoid skidding by adjusting my driving to the road, weather and traffic conditions.

Question 38

When is the risk of skidding greatest?

Answer 38

In wet or icy conditions

Question 39

When is the risk of skidding greatest?

Answer 39

In wet or icy conditions

Question 40

What is black ice?

Answer 40

When a layer of water freezes over the road, leaving a thin, glazed layer of ice. Despite the name, black ice is actually transparent. It gets its name from the dark colour of the road and pavement. The reason that black ice is so dangerous is because it's hard to spot.

Question 41

Black ice is not as obvious until…

Answer 41

I feel the steering become light, in very cold weather it could be a hazard.

Question 42

How can I reduce the risk of skidding and wheelspin?

Answer 42

By driving at a low speed and in as high a gear as possible.

Question 43

What should I scan the road ahead for and why?

Answer 43

I should scan the road ahead for clues such as road signs and markings, so I should not then be taken by surprise.

Question 44

By scanning the road ahead for clues such as road signs and markings I can (a) (b)

Answer 44

(a) slow down gradually before I reach a hazard such as a bend (b) avoid sudden steering movements

Question 45

What should I do if I start to skid? (a) (b)

Answer 45

(a) release the footbrake and reapply it gently (b) steer smoothly in the direction of the skid, if the back of the car skids to the right, steer carefully to the right and vice versa

Question 46

Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) reduce the risk of skidding if I have to brake in an emergency. Wheel speed sensors anticipate when a wheel is about to lock. If I’m driving a vehicle with ABS I should (a) (b)

Answer 46

(a) apply the footbrake rapidly and firmly (b) I should not release the brake pedal until I’ve stopped

Question 47

ABS does not necessarily reduce my stopping distance but I can continue to steer while braking because the wheels are prevented from locking. It may not work as effectively where there's (a) (b)

Answer 47

(a) surface water (b) a loose road surface

Question 48

Electronic stability control (ESC), sometimes known as Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), comprises the functions of ABS and traction control system, and aims to prevent a vehicle from skidding sideways. What else does ESC do?

Answer 48

ESC detects the risk of a skid at an early stage and provides selective braking intervention to restore vehicle stability. It's now fitted to all new cars in the UK.

Question 49

What is a contraflow system?

Answer 49

A contraflow system is a traffic management strategy that allows the flow of vehicles to go in the opposite direction to what it normally would be. This only happens in very specific circumstances, such as road maintenance, an accident that needs police intervention, or special events to keep traffic moving.

Question 50

Where a temporary contraflow system is in operation, you'll be travelling close to oncoming traffic, sometimes in narrow lanes. When you enter a contraflow system, what should I do? (a) (b) (c)

Answer 50

(a) reduce speed in good time (b) choose an appropriate lane in good time (c) keep the correct separation

Question 51

Where a temporary contraflow system is in operation, I’ll be travelling close to oncoming traffic, sometimes in narrow lanes. When I enter a contraflow system, I should: (a) (b) (c)

Answer 51

(a) Reduce speed in good time (b) Choose an appropriate lane in good time (c) Keep the correct separation distance

Question 52

**FAQ’s** A. Why does my instructor tell me to keep well to the left before a right-hand bend? B. How can I park my car safely on a downhill slope? C. What are the benefits of a four-wheel-drive vehicle? D. I know overtaking is a dangerous manoeuvre - are there any places that I definitely need to avoid? E. Why are there so many speed humps around?

Answer 52

A. Keeping well to the left improves my view of the road ahead and gives me an earlier indication of any hazards. B. Apply the parking brake firmly and turn the steering wheel towards the kerb. This will help stop my vehicle rolling downhill. C. It has improved road holding. The extra grip helps when travelling on slippery or uneven roads D. Always ensure I have enough time to complete the manoeuvre safely. In particular, I should not overtake where my view ahead is blocked (for example, by a bend) or when approaching a junction or if I’m intending to turn off the road shortly afterwards. E. These traffic-calming measures are normally found in built-up areas to improve the safety of the area. Slow right down as I approach and drive over them.