Safety Margins
Safety Margins is crucial for developing safe driving habits.
Try Driving Theory 1. Personal Safety Margins
- Maintain a safe space around your vehicle.
- Avoid coasting (driving in neutral or with the clutch pressed) as it reduces control.
- On long downhill roads, use a lower gear and brake carefully to prevent overheating.
2. Stopping Distances
- Stopping distance = Thinking Distance + Braking Distance.
- In good conditions, maintain a two-second gap from the car ahead.
- Increase the gap in bad weather or heavy traffic.
3. Weather Conditions and Their Effects
- Heavy Rain: Risk of aquaplaning (tyres losing grip on water). Ease off the accelerator and avoid braking.
- Ice & Snow: Roads become slippery. Drive slowly, brake gently, and clear snow from windows before driving.
- Fog: Reduces visibility. Use dipped headlights and fog lights (if needed).
- Strong Winds: Can affect motorcyclists, cyclists, and high-sided vehicles. Give them extra space.
- Hot Weather: Softens roads, affecting braking. Sun glare can reduce visibility—consider arm signals if indicators aren’t visible.
4. Skidding & Prevention
- Skidding happens due to driver actions: sudden braking, acceleration, or steering.
- To reduce the risk:
- Drive at a low speed.
- Use the highest effective gear.
- Avoid sudden steering and braking movements.
- Black Ice: Difficult to spot, but a sudden lightness in steering can be a warning sign.
5. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Prevents wheel locking but doesn’t reduce stopping distance.
- In an emergency:
- Press the brake firmly.
- Do not release the pedal until the car stops.
- ABS might not work as well on gravel or wet surfaces.
6. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Helps prevent skidding by adjusting braking and engine power.
- ESC warning light flashes when it activates.
7. Contraflow Systems
- Occur when traffic moves in the opposite direction to normal flow.
- To drive safely:
- Slow down in advance.
- Choose the correct lane early.
- Keep a safe distance.