1. Weather Conditions

Rain and Wet Conditions

1. Leave at least double the normal stopping distance between you and the vehicle in front.
2. If another vehicle pulls into your safe gap, ease back to regain your stopping distance.
3. Use dipped headlights if visibility is poor.
4. When crossing a flooded ford:
5. Use a low gear.
6. Drive through slowly.
7. Test your brakes afterward, as wet brakes are less effective.

Fog

1. Use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (less than 100m or 328 feet).
2. Fog lights may be used but must be switched off when visibility improves.
3. Hazards of fog lights when unnecessary:
4. They can dazzle other road users.
5. They obscure brake lights, making it harder for drivers behind to react.
6. They can be mistaken for brake lights, causing unnecessary slowing.
7. Increase the distance from the vehicle ahead.
8. Motorway reflective studs:
9. Red: Left-hand edge of the carriageway.
10. Amber: Central reservation.
11. Parking in fog:
12. Park off-road if possible.
13. If on the road, park facing the same direction as traffic with parking lights on.

Very Bad Weather (Snow/Ice)

1. Avoid travel unless necessary.
2. Before starting:
3. Ensure lights are working.
4. Clean windows.
5. In deep snow:
6. Fit snow chains for better grip.
7. Stopping distances can be up to 10 times further than in dry conditions.
8. Black ice warning: If the road looks wet but tyres are making little noise, suspect black ice.
9. Reduce speed and use the highest gear possible to prevent skidding.

Windy Weather

1. Affects high-sided vehicles, cyclists, motorcyclists, and cars towing caravans.
2. High risk when:
3. Passing large vehicles on motorways.
4. Driving on exposed roads.
5. Passing gaps between buildings or hedges.

2. Driving at Night

1. Ensure headlights do not dazzle oncoming traffic.
2. If dazzled by another vehicle’s headlights, slow down or stop.
3. Dip headlights for:
4. Oncoming traffic.
5. Pedestrians or cyclists.
6. Overtaking hazards: Limited visibility can hide bends or obstacles.
7. On motorways:
8. Use dipped headlights at all times.
9. If broken down on the hard shoulder, keep sidelights on.

4. Keeping Control of Your Vehicle

Coasting

1. Avoid coasting (driving in neutral or with the clutch down) as it reduces control.
2. Dangerous on hills because:
3. Downhill: Speed increases without engine braking.
4. Uphill: Vehicle loses speed quickly when foot is off the accelerator.

Engine Braking

1. Helps control speed by using the engine’s resistance.
2. Going downhill:
3. Use lower gear to avoid overheating brakes.
4. Going uphill:
5. Change to a lower gear to maintain power and avoid engine strain.

Single-Track Roads

1. Limited space: Use passing places when meeting other vehicles.

Factors Affect Stopping Distances

1. Speed.
2. Tyre condition.
3. Road surface.
4. Weather.
5. Wet/Icy conditions:
6. Avoid skidding.
7. If skidding occurs and vehicle does not have ABS:
8. Release footbrake.
9. If rear wheels skid, steer into the skid.

4. Traffic-Calming Measures and Road Surfaces

Traffic-Calming Measures

1. Designed to slow traffic for safety.
2. Speed humps: Drive within the speed limit, do not overtake.
3. Rumble devices:
4. Raised markings across the road.
5. Warn of upcoming hazards and encourage speed reduction.

Road Surfaces

1. Tram areas:
2. May have a different texture or color.
3. Marked with white lines.
4. Slippery conditions:
5. After rain following a hot, dry spell, roads become unusually slippery.
6. Loose chippings increase skid risk.
7. Slow down to maintain control.