K53 - Defensive driving

Basic elements of the K53 defensive driving standard

Search, identify, predict, decide, execute.

Keep a safe following distance

• Always maintain a safe following distance

• Increase distance when: visibility low, in wet conditions, travelling fast or carrying a heavy load etc.

Use mirrors correctly

• rear-view mirrors correctly adjusted

• adjust mirrors when vehicle is stationary

• glance at mirrors every 5-8 seconds

• check mirrors incase you need to signal a change in direction

• before moving, gain clutch control before you look in the mirrors

Check in the blind spots

• turn your head to the appropriate side to check blind spots

• the appropriate side is the side you want to move to

Signal your intention

• check rearview before signaling to ensure it’s safe to move

• indicate in good time to warn other road users

• place your hands back on the steering wheel before breaking

• check if the indicator cancelled after the manoeuvre

Use clutch correctly

• when moving off: obtain clutch control, check in mirrors and blind spots, indicate, check the blind spot again, accelerate to move off

• don’t cause the clutch to slip

• don’t ride the clutch

• do not coast

• keep the foot away from clutch when clutch is not needed.

Use the steering correctly

• keep both hands on the wheel

• turn the steering wheel only when its moving not stationary

• place hands in ten-to-two or quarter-to-three position on the steering wheel

• steer smoothly

• use the steering to adjust position on the road

• don’t turn too wide or cut a corner

• stay in one lane at a time

Control your speed properly

• before changing speed, check in mirrors to see if safe to do so

• adjust speed according to traffic flow, slope of road, type of road surface, visibility and weather conditions

• don’t increase speed when being overtaken

Use the brakes correctly

• use brakes to slow down or stop

• check in mirrors before braking

• avoid locking brakes

• brake to maintain safe distance

• apply parking brake when vehicle is stationary or left unattended

• press ratchet release button when applying brake and release when the brake is holding.