Driving Safety and Techniques

Flashcards based on driving safety techniques, procedures, and regulations.

Proper Driving Posture

The seat should allow your eyes to be centered and your right foot to press the pedal with a slight knee bend, heel on the floor, back support at 45°, and the steering wheel at 10 and 2 o’clock.

Outline the MSM routine for pulling up on the left when parking

First, look at the centre mirror then the left mirror.

Signal left and start slowing down to check for obstacles (like a cap).

Wait until the B pillar passes the end of the obstacle and ensure the left mirror and blind spot are safe while controlling speed with the brake pedal.

Turn the steering wheel to 10 o’clock, drive towards the curb, then when the curb is reached on the right side, quickly turn to 2 o’clock, continue looking ahead, and once you see the car’s right-hand light ahead, straighten the wheel and brake to a smooth stop.

When stopping behind other vehicles, what considerations should you make?

For small vehicles, position so that both the tarmac and wheels are visible.

For large vehicles, leave extra space to see around them.

If the gap is three cars or larger, approach at normal driving speed; if two cars or less, control your speed with the brake and park slowly.

Mirror Check Timing

Check mirrors before changing speed, direction, and ideally every 10 seconds.

How do you identify Road Humps

• A white-filled triangle indicates a hump that may be dangerous (if it’s long and round, reduce speed to about 13 mph).
  
  

• A flat and square hump is generally safe up to 15 mph.
  
  

• Very round, narrow bumps are the most dangerous and require slowing to as little as 5 mph.
  Adjust your speed by easing off the gas or lightly braking so that speed drops naturally over the hump.

What factors help you determine the appropriate speed limit while driving?

The first priority is the posted signs (big red circle with a number). Next are traffic calming measures (humps, bollards, bends, chicanes, narrow roads, bumpiness, and specific zone signs). Finally, street lights often indicate a default speed (usually 30 mph).

MSPSL Routine

Routine for left turns involving Mirrors, Signal, Position, Speed, and Look.

Meeting Situation meaning

A situation that forces you to slow down or swerve unexpectedly, requiring immediate checking of mirrors and slowing down.

Describe the key steps for straight-line reversing (using the POM routine).

• Prepare: Select reverse gear and perform a full 360° observation.
  
  

• Observe: Use your mirrors, look towards the curb and behind the car, and recheck every 5 seconds.
  
  

• Move: Reverse slowly (at the pace of an old person walking), steering in the direction you want the back of the car to go.

Lane Discipline Guidelines

Normal driving is in the left lane, middle and right lanes are for overtaking.

• When multiple lanes are available, the lane you start in is the lane you should end in after a junction.
  
  

• Use bus lanes or clear yellow box junctions appropriately, waiting until you have at least 1½ car spaces on the other side before proceeding.

What is the procedure when approaching pedestrian crossings?

• For zebra/tiger crossings (indicated by white zigzag lines), pedestrians have priority even if they’re on the pavement.
  
  

• Always check your mirrors, slow down, and stop behind the dotted white line until pedestrians have completely crossed.
  
  

• For controlled crossings (traffic lights, button-activated systems), follow the signals carefully and stop behind the solid white line as required.

How should you handle traffic lights and crossing signal sequences?

• Solid Green: Go if the road is safe.
  
  

• Solid Amber: Slow down and prepare to stop.
  
  

• Solid Red: Stop and wait.
  
  

• Red & Amber Together: Get ready to go but do not move until the light turns green.
  
  

• For sensor-controlled crossings (puffin, toucan, equestrian) and non-sensor crossings (pelican), follow the specific controls as indicated.

What is the process for forward bay parking?

• Position your car in the middle of the road and select a bay.
  
  

• Signal, and when your door mirror reaches about one-quarter of the bay, stop and perform an all-around check.
  
  

• Turn the steering wheel fully toward the bay, then straighten out as you approach and stop smoothly.

How do you perform reverse bay parking on either side?

• Position in the middle of the road and choose a reference line (a curb or bay line).
  
  

• For the left side, once the reference aligns with half the front door, stop and count back three bays; for the right side, use the 1/4 reference point.
  
  

• Lower your door mirrors for full observation, then slowly reverse into the bay. Adjust as necessary by moving forward and re-reversing until properly aligned, and finish by securing the car and resetting the mirrors.