Safety margins

}}Introduction}}

  • reduce chances of being involved in road traffic incident
  • travelling downhill
    • select lower gear
    • braking gently
  • don’t coast

}}Stopping distance}}

  • leave enough room between your vehicles and one in front so you can pull safely
    • from the moment you realise you must brake
    • to the moment the vehicle stops
  • made up of thinking distance and braking distance
  • raining or wet
    • double distance
  • icy
    • 10 times the distance
  • faster conditions like motorways increasing distance between vehicles means lower the risk of collision

}}Weather conditions}}

  • consider if journey is necessary
  • ice
    • clear ice and snow from windows, lights, mirrors and number plates
  • driving in ice
    • highest gear
    • brake gently and in plenty of time
    • be prepared to stop and clean snow from windscreen with hands if wipers can’t
  • driving in foggy
    • allow more time for your journey
    • slow down as your visibility is reduced
    • increase gap between your vehicle and one in front
    • use dipped headlights even in daylight
    • if visibility goes below 100 meters use fog lights
    • switch off when fog lifts
  • wet conditions always maintain safe separation distance
    • especially if vehicle overtakes and pulls in front
  • aquaplaning may happen in heavy rain
    • tyres lift off road surface and skate on film of water
    • steering becomes light
    • on ice tyres hardly make noise
    • ease off accelerator
    • don’t brake until your steering feels normal again
  • driven through deep water, such as ford or flood, test brakes
  • if necessary dry out brakes by pressing down as you go along
  • hot weather
    • road surface becomes soft
    • tyres might not grip so well
    • affect braking and steering
  • bright sunlight can dazzle
    • if cannot see indicators blinking
    • consider making arm signal
  • high winds
    • blow off course especially in open stretch
    • greater effect on high-sided vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists
    • can be blown off course by a sudden gust
    • allow extra room and then check your left side as passing

}}Skidding}}

  • caused by driver
  • adjust driving in weather and traffic conditions
  • greatest risk in wet and icy conditions
  • black ice isn’t obvious until steering becomes light
  • cold weather is a hazar
  • reduce risk by
    • drive at low speed
    • but in highest gear possible
  • scan road for road signs and markings
    • slow down gradually before hazard
    • avoid sudden steering movements
  • if you do skid
    • release footbrake and reapply it gently
    • steer smoothly in direction of the skid
  • anti-locking braking systems
    • reduce risk of skidding of you have to brake in an emergency
    • wheel speed sensors anticipate when wheel will lock
    • if driving with ABS
    • apply footbrake rapidly and firmly
    • don’t release the brake pedal until you’ve stopped
    • ABS doesn’t necessarily reduce stopping distance
    • continue to steer while braking because wheels are prevented from locking
    • may not work well when
    • surface water
    • a loose road surface
  • electronic stability control
    • comprises functions of ABS and traction control system
    • aims to prevent a vehicle from skidding sideways
    • ESC detects risk of skid early stage
    • provides selective braking intervention to restore vehicle stability
    • fitted to all new cars in UK now

}}Contraflow systems}}

  • temporary contraflow system is in operation
  • travelling close to oncoming traffic
  • sometimes in narrow lanes
    • reduce speed in good time
    • choose appropriate land in good time
    • keep correct separation distance

}}FAQ}}

  • left before right hand bend
    • improves view of road ahead and gives earlier indication of hazards
  • park on downhill slope
    • apply parking brake firmly
    • turn steering wheel towards kerb
    • help stop vehicle rolling downhill
  • benefits of four-wheel-drive
    • improved road holding
    • extra grip helps when travelling on slippery or uneven roads
  • avoid overtaking
    • where view ahead is blocked
    • approaching a junction
    • intending to turn off the road shortly
    • not sufficient time
  • speed bumps
    • normally found in built-up areas
    • improve safety
    • slow right down as approach and drive over them