Driving Tips
Why should you be able to see the tyres on the tarmac on the car in front of you when you stop behind them on the road?
The advantages of being able to see the tyres and some tarmac on the car in front of you means;
(1) You will have enough room to manoeuvre yourself around them in the event that car brakes down in front of you, so reducing the chance of a traffic queue.
(2) If the car in front rolls back towards you, then you have more time to warn them, eg. by beeping your horn, or flashing headlights.
(3) If the car behind you, hits you, then the risk of you hitting the car in front of you is reduced.
When stopping behind a truck or bus should I be able to see their tyres on tarmac?
Yes you should, but this would not be a safe distance when stopping behind these larger vehicles.
(1) The driver of the large vehicle must be able to see you in their mirrors, otherwise the vehicle could reverse back in to you and not even know you are there.
(2) You should be able to see clearly around the overtaking side of the vehicle. If the vehicle in front breaks down you should be able to see well ahead of it so you can overtake safely and allow other cars approaching see you.
(3) Some larger vehicles have tail lifts which need a clearance of at least 5 metres, this is the lenght of a standard family saloon.
(4) If the vehicle in front is carrying a loose load and you are too close, if it moves off and it sheds its load where might the load end up?
Why should I take a brief glance left and right as I drive straight through a cross junction even though my light is green to go?
By taking it for granted that every car has stopped at the red light would be an assumption that may be dangerous. If a robbed car is coming towards you from the left or right he will not stop. So the advantage would be by you taking the brief glance it could help you to see the car approach and allow you time totake evasive manoeuvres. Were you not to look, you may not see the robbed car approaching you at all.
Why should I check my mirrors moving off in traffic?
Try to remember you are not alone on the roads and if a pedestrian, cyclist or motor bike was about to over take you on the left or the right just as you move off, several things could go wrong.
(1) Your car could hit them.
(2) You could cause them to wobble or fall into on coming traffic.
(3) You could be startled yourself by their close proximity and in turn loose control of your car.
What speed should I drive at in a built up area?
This will depend on several factors. Your car, your driving skill. ie, your competency level. The weather conditions, the road conditions, ie.the surface, the width of the road, the curvatures on the road. Then the situation at the time you are driving.
You must drive at a speed at which will allow you stop safely within the area you can see to be clear.
What gear should I go over a ramp in?
This will depend on the severity of the ramp, if you are not familar with the ramp or area you are in it would be best practice to approach the ramp in second gear. At least then if the ramp is high there is no harm done. Its better to air on the side of caution if you are unsure.
What gear should I go around a round a roundabout in?
This will depend on several factors also. The size of the roundabout, the road surface, your car, your skills, which exit you are taking. By assessing the roundabout early you can get a good idea of whether you must stop or if you can continue on. The gear you should choose should best suit the speed of your vehicle at which you are travelling at on the roundabout.
Should I use the ’2 second rule’ in a town or built up area to keep my distance from the vehicle in front?
The simple answer to this question is that you should always keep a safe distance back from the vehicle in front of you to allow you to stop safely and quickly in any situation. Discretion and common sense should be used on the road while driving at all times.
Why should I look over my shoulder when I move off from a parked position?
When you check your mirrors before moving off from a kerb you dont get to see the whole picture. There are many blind spots and these must be checked to be sure you have the whole picture before moving off from a kerb. By checking over your shoulder in the direction you are moving into, you are reducing your chances of being involved in an incident, all because you can see a clearer picture of what might be behind you.
