Police Driving Programme and Highway Code Question Papers

Vocabulary flashcards covering core operational terminology, vehicle dynamics, road positioning rules, and statutory Highway Code regulations from the Police Driving Programme Trainer Question Papers.

System of Car Control

A way of approaching and negotiating hazards that is methodical, safe, and leaves nothing to chance.

Four Phases of the System of Car Control

The sequential operational phases of vehicle handling: Position, speed, gear, and acceleration.

Red Mist

A state of compromised focus or emotional involvement in an incident; prevented by concentrating solely on driving.

Peripheral Vision

The field of vision that provides a driver with their sense of speed and their position on the road.

Tyre Contact Patch

The area of a tyre in contact with the road surface, which is about the same size as a hand.

Double Warning Signs

Road sign configurations where the furthest hazard is shown at the bottom and the nearest hazard is shown at the top.

Speed at $70\text{ mph}$ in Metres per Second

A velocity in which a vehicle travels $31\text{ metres per second}$.

Safe Stopping Distance Rule

The core safety rule requiring a driver to always be able to stop safely within the distance they can see to be clear on their own side of the road.

Overall Safe Stopping Distance

The total distance required to bring a vehicle to a complete stop, calculated as: $\text{Thinking distance} + \text{braking distance}$.

Reaction Time

The elapsed duration between gathering new information about a hazard and responding to it, composed of: $\text{Decision time} + \text{response time}$.

The 'Plan' (Roadcraft Chapter 3)

A structured decision process designed to put the driver in the correct position, at the correct speed, with the correct gear engaged at the correct time.

Processing Information (System of Car Control)

The core element that is central to the system of car control, running through and feeding into all of its phases.

Aquaplaning

A loss of steering control caused when a wedge of water builds up between the front tyres and the road surface, safely managed by removing pressure from the accelerator.

Microclimates

Localised environmental areas that can cause frost and wet patches to linger long after they have disappeared elsewhere.

Crown Camber (Left-Hand Bend)

The road surface slope which acts to increase the effect of your steering on a left-hand bend.

Active Safety Systems (ESP)

Vehicle electronic stability programmes that provide an active safety system, though they cannot change the laws of physics.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

A braking technology that prevents the wheels from locking up under full braking power, assisting steering during harsh braking.

Emergency Response Exemptions

Legal driving exemptions whose operational use must be safe and proportionate, with the justification assessed directly by drivers responding to calls.

Situational Awareness

An accurate mental model of driving surroundings essential for emergency services drivers to make intelligent decisions and stay in control.

Acceleration Sense

The ability to vary vehicle speed in response to changing road or traffic conditions by accurate use of the accelerator so that brakes are used less or not at all.

Brake/Gear Overlap

The technique of overlapping braking with gear changing, which must always be part of a planned approach to a hazard.

Stages of Planning (Roadcraft)

The sequence of interpreting observations into action: Observe, Anticipate, Prioritise, Decide what to do, Act.

Understeer

The handling characteristic and cornering tendency exhibited by most front-wheel drive vehicles.

Limit Point

The furthest visible point along a bend; if it moves towards the driver, it signifies that the vehicle must decelerate or brake.

Following Distance in Wet Weather

The safety time gap left behind the vehicle ahead on fast roads in wet conditions, which should at least double the standard $2\text{ seconds}$ gap.

Pelican Crossing

A pedestrian crossing with a flashing amber phase during which drivers must give way to pedestrians already on the crossing.

Toucan Crossing

A signal-controlled pedestrian crossing designed to allow cyclists to ride across alongside pedestrians.

Puffin Crossing

A pedestrian crossing that follows the green signal with a steady amber light, where the red light changes only after pedestrians clear the crossing.

White Cane with a Red Band

A mobility cane indicating that the pedestrian carrying it is both deaf and blind.

Amber Reflective Studs

Motorway light reflectors situated between the central reservation and the carriageway.

Green Reflective Studs

Motorway light reflectors located at slip-road entrances and exits.

Signs that Give Orders

Traffic signs identifiable by their distinctive red circular shape.

Two-Second Rule

A time-interval method utilized in good, dry conditions to check and ensure a safe gap from the vehicle in front.

Coasting

The unsafe driving practice of travelling in neutral or keeping the clutch depressed downhill, causing the vehicle to gain speed due to a lack of engine braking.

Blind Spot

Any area of the roadway around a vehicle that cannot be viewed using the vehicle's mirrors.

Legal Minimum Tyre Tread Depth

The minimum lawful tread depth for car tyres, set at $1.6\text{ mm}$.

Typical Stopping Distance at $70\text{ mph}$ (Highway Code)

The standard total stopping distance on a dry road in good conditions, which is $96\text{ metres (315 feet)}$.

Typical Stopping Distance at $60\text{ mph}$ (Highway Code)

The shortest overall stopping distance on a dry road surface at $60\text{ mph}$, which is $73\text{ metres (240 feet)}$.

Typical Thinking Distance at $30\text{ mph}$

The standard distance travelled while reacting at $30\text{ mph}$, which is $9\text{ metres}$.

Third Party Only Insurance

The statutory minimum insurance coverage required to legally drive a vehicle on public roads.