Practical Driving Test in UK / Safety Margins Category
Topics include:
- Road Surfaces - being aware of different road surfaces and how they can affect the driving experience.
- Skidding - how to prevent and deal with skidding whilst driving.
- Weather Conditions - being aware how different weather conditions can affect driving and road safety.
- Stopping Distances - knowing the distances required to stop a vehicle safely.
Again safety is the key theme. Add this to a fair dose of common sense and many of the questions answer themselves.
Facts to Know - Weather conditions
- Braking distances on ice and in freezing conditions can be ten times the normal distance.
- Overall stopping distances will be much longer when driving in wet conditions.
- In windy conditions take extra care when passing cyclists and motorcyclists. Always allow them extra room.
- After driving through flood water the first thing you should do is test your brakes. You should then go slowly while gently applying the brakes, as this will help to dry them.
- In very hot weather the road surface can become soft. This can effect tyre grip and braking.
- Side winds are most dangerous on an open stretch of road.
- When driving on a motorway with surface spray use dipped headlights.
- When driving on snow or ice use the highest gear possible, as this helps avoid wheel spin. When approaching a sharp bend in such conditions you should slow down and avoid sudden steering movements.
- If your number plate, windows, lights or mirrors are covered in snow or ice you must clear them before staring a journey.
- You can tell you are driving on ice, and black ice, because your tyres make little noise and the steering becomes light.
- When driving in fog use dipped headlights, allow more time for your journey, slow down.
In wet conditions your car can aquaplane. This means the tyres have lifted off the surface of the road and are skating on the surface of the water. If your steering suddenly becomes very light, while driving on a wet road, this is a sign that your are aquaplaning. To correct it ease off the accelerator and allow the tyres to regain grip.
Other Facts To Know
- Don't 'coast' - travel in neutral or with the clutch pedal pressed down as this will reduce the control you have over the car.
- When approaching a right-hand bend you should keep to the left as this will improve your view of the road ahead.
- When parking facing downhill turn the wheels towards the kerb and put the handbrake firmly on.
- Skidding is usually cause by driver error, driving too fast for the road conditions.
- To correct a skid you should drive into it, so if the back of your vehicle slides to the right you should steer to the right.
- To control the speed of your car when driving down hill, select a low gear, as this makes use of the engine brake, and use the brakes carefully.
Contraflows
A contraflow system is where one or more lanes have a direction of traffic against that of the rest of the carriageway. When you enter a contraflow you should:
- reduce your speed in good time
- choose a suitable lane in good time: signs will direct you
- keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front.
Anti-Lock Brakes
- Prevent the wheels from locking which means the tyres are less likely to skid.
- Allow a vehicle to be steered whilst under braking.
- May not work as effectively when the road surface is loose or wet.
- In an emergency apply them rapidly and firmly.
- They will start to work just as the wheels are about to lock.
Stopping Distances
- Stopping distance + braking distance = stopping distance.
- In good, dry conditions leave a 2 second gap between you and the vehicle ahead.
- In wet weather, leave a 4 second gap.
- In icy weather, leave a 20 second gap.
The diagram shows overall stopping distances (thinking distance plus braking distance).
| 1 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingWater on the brakes will act as a lubricant, causing them to work less efficiently. Using the brakes lightly as you go along will dry them out. go slowly while gently applying the brakes avoid using the brakes at all for a few miles stop for at least an hour to allow them time to dry |
| 2 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingIt is easy for motorcyclists to be blown off course. Always give them plenty of room if you decide to overtake, especially in strong winds. Decide whether you need to overtake at all. Always check to the left as you pass. Give a thank you wave Move back early Sound your horn |
| 3 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingEven in good conditions it will usually take you further than you think to stop. Don�t just learn the figures, make sure you understand how far the distance is. 53 metres (175 feet) 75 metres (245 feet) 96 metres (315 feet) |
| 4 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingA skid happens when the driver changes the speed or direction of their vehicle so suddenly that the tyres can't keep their grip on the road. Remember that the risk of skidding on wet or icy roads is much greater than in dry conditions. Driver error Other vehicles Pedestrians |
| 5 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingWet weather will affect the time it takes for you to stop and can affect your control. Your speed should allow you to stop safely and in good time. If another vehicle pulls into the gap you�ve left, ease back until you�ve regained your stopping distance. Try to overtake safely as soon as you can Drop back to regain a safe distance Stay close to the other vehicle until it moves on |
| 6 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingIf you attempt to move off in a low gear, such as first, the engine will rev at a higher speed. This could cause the wheels to spin and dig further into the snow. the highest gear you can a high engine speed the handbrake and footbrake together |
| 7 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingBy driving all four wheels there is improved grip, but this does not replace the skills you need to drive safely. The extra grip helps road holding when travelling on slippery or uneven roads. fuel consumption stopping distances passenger comfort |
| 8 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingSelecting a low gear when travelling downhill will help you to control your speed. The engine will assist the brakes and help prevent your vehicle gathering speed. Select a lower gear Grip the handbrake firmly Apply the parking brake gently |
| 9 | Mark TWO answers. Knowledge and UnderstandingPoor contact with the road surface could cause one or more of the tyres to lose grip on the road. This is more likely to happen when braking in poor weather conditions, when the road surface is uneven or has loose chippings. loose wet good firm |
| 10 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingIf the steering becomes light in these conditions it is probably due to a film of water that has built up between your tyres and the road surface. Easing off the accelerator should allow your tyres to displace the film of water and they should then regain their grip on the road. apply gentle acceleration brake firmly to reduce speed ease off the accelerator |
| 11 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingExtra care should be taken in wet weather as, on wet roads, your stopping distance could be double that necessary for dry conditions. in fog at night in strong winds |
| 12 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingBefore you test your brakes you must check for following traffic. If it is safe, gently apply the brakes to clear any water that may be covering the braking surfaces. Stop and dry the brakes Check your exhaust Test your brakes |
| 13 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingWhen surface spray reduces visibility switch on your dipped headlights. This will help other road users to see you. dipped headlights rear fog lights sidelights |
| 14 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingSometimes you may not be able to see that the road is icy. Black ice makes a road look damp. The signs that you�re travelling on black ice can be that the steering feels light and the noise from your tyres suddenly goes quiet. The noise from your tyres sounds louder You will see tyre tracks on the road Your steering feels light |
| 15 | Mark one answer. Knowledge and UnderstandingCoasting, is the term used when the clutch is held down, or the gear lever is in neutral, and the vehicle is allowed to freewheel. This reduces the driver�s control of the vehicle. When you coast, the engine can�t drive the wheels to pull you through a corner. Coasting also removes the assistance of engine braking that helps to slow the car. make steering easier reduces the driver's control uses more fuel |
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