Me be Tat ley v Theory test / irra hg Wt) LATE The OFFICIAL DSA GUIDE to DRIVING the essential skills Ee elem Ue eng Ese eet r | TATU MU rca Ce le} NEW - includes Teele independent driving\Witlen and copie by the Laaring Mules Section of The Diveg Starchrcs Agency (DON OOwN Comngm 2010. AK rights reserved. No part of es puDsoation may be reproduced in any meter form athout tha witian perméssion of the copyrighl owner exept kt accordance wih the provisens of he Copyrunt, Decuns and Patents Act 1998 oF uncer tna ims ot a keene (BLEd by the Copyrigm Ligmeng Agency Lt ‘Crown Copyront mater reproduced win parmiscion ofthe Contre of HRS anc the ‘Queens: Printer tor Scotsnd. Fst edition Goan copyright 1992 Second aditin Grown copyeig 1997 Third edBion Grover cogyrig 1986 Four ection Crown ccpyriont 2001 Fen ection Camem copyrent 2005, ‘Sih eatin Crowm copyrigrt 2007 ‘Sevenh Ector own Copyeignt 2010 ISBN 97a 0 11 S8a194 7 ‘ACIP calalogue record for this book fs avai trom the Bish Libary ‘Ofer ties in the Oriving Skis series The Oca) OSA Theory Test far Car vers ‘Dre Gia) O54 Theory Tene far Gar Bricers (0+ Flem) ‘The Offical O08 Gace to Learing to Orie Prepare for your Pracical Oring Test WO} (54 Doig Drea Ge (VE The Off! Fighway Coss bvaractie CD-R The Ofc) OSA Gute o Fling ~ ts ear hits ‘The Offical O08 They Test fr Makes The Chea) O54 Theory Test for Matereyens (CD: Flem) The Cif) O54 Gace io Lesring to Fe Blner Bing ~ the Oficial OSA Fring Ac (DVD) The Ofc) O54 Gute io Driving uses and Coaches ‘Dre Cia) 4 Guide 1a Driving Goods Vehicles ‘The Offa OOS Thc Test fr Orvers of Large Vices The Cia! O64 Theory Tet for Ores of Large Veticles (C0) rie GPG — the Cc Gussie far Prefeaniana) Bus and Coach Driers ver CPC ~ the Ofiia' IGA Guise far Profesional Goods Vehicle Ores The Ofc O54 Gute io Tracie and Specinit Vehicle Dring Tests ‘The Oia! OG Gace Jo Hazard Perogaion OVD} Every efit fas been mais to rau tat the ineresion continents pubcation i wcrarais a the tie of gang to press. The Saformry Ofc carr be held meponatia Sx ary inaccuracies, Inkxration inthis book tier gudance arly. A etic and impel corwansions i this book we aperovimaia 75% seDirectgov Directgov is the place to find all ‘government matcring information and services. From logbooks to icensing, from diving tasta to road tax, go toc direct.gov.uk/matoring Theory and practical tests (Bookings and enquiries} direct.gov.uk/drivingtest Practical & Theory Tests Enquiries & Bookings 0300 200 1122 Welsh Speakers 0300 200 1198 Practical Tests Minicom 0300 200 1144 Fax 0300 200 1155 Theary Tests Minicom 0300 200 1166 Fax 0300 200 1177 Gustamer Enquiry Unit 0300 200 1188 OVA (Northern Ireland) Theory test 0845 600 6700 Practical test 0845 247 2471 Driving Standards Agency (Headquarters) dsa.govuuk Tha Avia Building, 112 Upper Parkament Street, Nottingham NGi BLP Tal 0115 936 6666 Fax 0115 996 6570 Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (GB Ieence enquiries) dit. govuk/dvia Longview Road, Swenses SAG 7UL Tel 0300 780 801 Fax 0300 1290708 Minicom 0900 129 1278 Driver & Vehicle Agency (Testing) in Northern Iretand dvani.gov.uk Balmoral Road, Belfast BT12 60L Tel 02800 681 831 Fax 02600 665 520 Driver & Vehicle Agency (Licensing) in Northarn froland dvani.govuk County Hall, Castlerock Road, Coleraine 8751 8TB Tel 02870 241 460 24 hour tal 0945 111 222 Minicom 02870 941 SB0 Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (The Pariamentary Ombudemar) Milbank Tower, Millbank, London SWIP 4QP Tel 020 7217 4163 Fax 0207217 4160(USA... mea Tha Dring Standards Agency (DSA) is an exacutive agency of the Department for Transport. You'll see its logo at theory and practical test centres DSA aims to promota road safety through the advancement of ctiving standards, by * establishing and developing high standards and bast practice in driving and riding on the road: bafora people start to deve, as they leam, and after they pass their test averse .- = = am)Insurance ‘You would be wery irasponsible to drive without insurance. Its ilagal and, should ‘you cause injury to anyone or damage to roperty, it could ba expensive and result in criminal prosacution, Uninsured divers can now ba datacted by the polica and roadside ANPR cameras (Automatic Number Plate Recognition cammaras) as they are linked to tha Motor Insuranoa Database. Tha penaitias for uninsured drivers include * a fine of up to £5000 * 6.8 panalty points * possible disqualfication * your vehicle can ba seized by the police, taken away and crushed. Before you lake a vehicle an public roads, buy insuranca cover. You can arrange this with an insurance company, a broker or via a comparison website Types of Insurance Third party cover - This is the legal minimum and tha cheapest insuranca ‘cover. The thed party is anyone you might injure or whose property you might damage. You're not coweeed for damage to your vehicle or injury to yourself. Third party, fire and theft — This is the same as thed party, except that it also cavers you agains! your vehicla being stolen or damaged by fre. ‘Comprehensive insurance - This is the best, but the most expansive type of insurance. Apart from covering other parsons and property for injury and damaga, it dso covers damage to yaur vehicle. The cost of Insurance This varies with * your age; the younger you are the more it will cost, especially i you're under 25 complation of tha Pass Plus schama how long you've baen driving the maka and power of your vahicla where you live and where you keep your car avernight the use intandad any court convictions and fixed penalty offences the No Claims Discount you have eared, It can also vary from ona insurer to anathee, 0 it pays to shop around, You must answar all quastions on the insurance application honestly as, in the evant of a claim, your policy could be worthless ff tha insurance company discovers that you have not told the truth, ‘They then have the right to void the policy which would leave you apan to prosecution for being uninsured. For example, a young person is committing fraud if they state that an older, more experianoad driver is the main usar of their vahicle to reduce the cost of their cover. This is known as ‘fronting’ and insurance companies lock aut for it. aWhat's Insured This also varies from company to company. Read your insurance policy carefuly and ask your insurer or broker if yau'ra in any doubt. Otherwise you might have cifficuities whan you claim, Ifyou do make a claim, you'll often have to pay around the fist £250 of the cast yourself - this is called tha ‘excess’, and ‘can daubla for young and inexperienced drivers Buy the best policy you can afford. it could be the chaapast in tha lang run. The certificate of Insurance This short and simple document shows + who's insurad to drive the wehicle * the vehicle covered the period of caver what the vehicle can and cannot be used for whether there is caver to drive other vehi. Sometimes a broker will gve you a temporary certificate or ‘cover nota’ while you're waiting for tha cartficate. A cover note normally lasts for on month, Showing your certificate - Keep the certiicala safe and produc it * if the police ask you to + whan you renew your Vehicle Excise Licence at a past office * if you're involved in an incident The policy document — This contains the full stalls of tha contract between you and the insurance campany and how to claim. Insurance companies also supply & summary of caver showing the main ‘cower, terms and conditions. you don't understand anything, ask your broker or the insurance company to explain, Incidents If you're involved in an incident, you may eed to give your insurance detalis; sea page 297.The Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C) ‘A Vohicle Rapistration Cortiicate (VEC), also known 38 a logbook, contains information about the vahicle. it shows * the name and addrass of the vehicle's registered keeper * information about the vehicle, including the make, model and engine size * the date the vebicle was first registered, The registered keeper is the parson who is responsible for taxing the vehicle, although they may nat be the lagal owner. the registered keaper of a vehicle, itis your responsibilty to keep the details of your SC up ta data. You must tal DVLA whan you change address you change nama you change any of the datails of your vehicla (eg colour) you no longer have the vahicle You can update your WSC by filing in the relevant section and sending the whole form to DVLA, who will issue anew VEC. Updating y remminder) is enaibling you to tax your vehicle. When saling a vahicle, both the sellar and the buyer must complata and sign the VEC and the seller must send the relevant part of the VSC to DVLA. The seller is still ible for the vahicla until they have a disposal acknowiedgement latter You can get more information about the SC on tha form itself, of fram the following websita: direct.gov.ukN6c Ifyou lose or miskay your VEC, you can request a replacement from DVLA, atthough a fee may ba charged,Vehicle Excise Duty This is often caled car tax or vehicle The keepar neads to inform DVLA whan the licensing. You can buy a tax disc (vahica —_vehicla is off the road, or has baan sold, licence) far six or twelva months. The tax -—transfarred, scraped or exparted or they disc must ba displayed on the wehicle. Any remain fiabla for taxing it. Onca DVLA has vahicle exempt from duty must display a baen notified about a sale/transler or that ‘Nil’ tax disc. A tax disc must not be the vehicle is off-road, they willissue an transferred to another wehicle acknowledgement letter, which should ba kept as proof that the vahicle record has Tha registered keepar of a vehicle (the baen changed. perscn named on DVLA's record) remains responsible for taxing a vahicle or making SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notification) until that liabiity is formally transfared to a new keeper.if you don’t re-license your vehk Keepers who fal to re-license their vehicle (or declare SORN) wil incur an automatic penaly. DVLA will carry aut a computer hack each month to identify thoss vehicles without a valid tax disc. Although it is no longer necessary for the vahicle to be seen ‘on a public road before a penalty is issued, ‘on-road enforcernant will stil continue. To apply for your tax disc To ensura your tax disc is up to date filin tha relavant section of the renewal reminder form W141, or * apply for a naw tax disc by filing in form V0. You will also need to produce your Vahicle Registration Certiicata (or the tear-off sip VEC/2 if within 2 months of date of purchase). in both cases, taka the complstd form to a licenca-ssuing Post Office to obtain your tax disc. You well also need to produce * a valid certificate of insurance * an MOT certificate if the vahicle is aver theea years old (some vahicles may be covered by other requirements). ‘Alternatively, you can apply online at ‘taxdisc direct.gav.uk telephone 0300 123 4321 text phona 0300 790 6204. Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) If you don't intend to usa or keep tha vehicle on a public road, you can dactare SORN and then you don't have to pay road tax. Your SORN daclaration is valid for 42 months (provided tha vehioia is kept off- road), Fallura to renew it {ar re-license) will incur a panalty. You can deciare SORN by « filing in the relevant saction of your renewal ramindar form V1 and taking it toa Foance-issuing Post Offioa branch cling 0800 790 6801, i you are the registered keeper « filing in 2 SORN declaration form VB90 and sending it to DVLA. Thasa forms ara available from all DVLA Local Offices. licence-tssuing Post Officas or by downloading from clvla.gov.uk making a declaration on ‘application for refund’ forms V'14 and V33 if you are also applying for a refund and the vahicle is to remain in your possession. Alternatively, you can apply on line at taxdise.dract.gov.uk telephone 0300 123 4221 text phone 0300 790 6201.The Vehicle Test Certificate The MOT test applies to all mator vehicles three years old and ower.* The purpose of the MOT test is to ensure that your vehicle's key safety and environmental systems and components meet the required minimum lagal standards. The tast must be carried oul every year by a Vohicla Testing Station appointed by tha Vehicle Operator Sarvioes Agency (VOSA), an executive agency of tha Deparment for Transport. Vehicles which must be tested If your vehicle is more than three years oid” you must hava a current MOT test cerificata. You won't be able ta renew your Vehicle Excise Licance without it. “Note Certain vehicles, including thasa below, must be testad one year after registration and annwally thereafter « large goods vehicles (LGVs| over 3.5 tonnes gross weight # passongee-carrying vahicles (PCV) with mora than aight seats * ambulances © taxis. If your vehicle fails and you want to continue to usa it, you must male arrangemants to have the necessary repairs cared out without delay. The vehicle must pass 4 ratest before it's used on the road, exxcapt when ‘© Griving it away from the testing station after faling the test «© Griving to hawe the repairs carried out ‘© criving to an MOT test appointment booked! in advance. Even in these circumstances you can stil ba prosecuted ff your car is not roacworthy under the various regulations governing its construction and usa. In action, check that your insuranoa cover remains valid. You can go anline at diract.gov.uk¢MOT to check your wehicie’s MOT status and history.Details giving information on the right to appeal, if you consider the wehicle has bean incorrectly failed, may be obtained at \Vohicla Testing Stations. An MOT tast cartiicate is not a guarantee that the vehicle will remain roadworthy and comply with the minimum standards of the caftificats. Neither doas it imply thal the engine and transmis — these itams are critical to safaty and ara not covered by the MOT test. the driver and the law Ask any Vehicls Testing Station about the currant test and ratast fees. Remember, the test includes a strict exhaust emission test. This means your engine must be corractly tuned and adjustad. There are prescribed emission limits for patrol-angined vehicles registered after 1975 and the MOT test will check that these limits are not excsaciedRoadworthiness You must ensure that the vehicla you intend to dive is legally roacworthy has a currant Vohicla Test Certificate (MOT) if over the prescribed age is properly licensed and has the comact tax disc displayed Tho braking system — Your brakes must ba in good and efficient working order and correctly adjusted, including the hand or parking brace Tyres - Alltyras on the vehicle MUST meat currant requirements (seq pagas 279 and 314). Lights/indicators - Al lamps, inclucing lenses and reflectors, must ba in working order, even during dayight hours, Exhaust - A sizncer must be fitled which reduces noise to an aoceptable level 36 For cars and light goods vehicles, exhaust emissions must not exceed the prescribed limits. Any MOT testing station will be able to tell you tha mits for your vehicle, For bast fuel economy, have the angina tuned according to the manufacturer's recommendations Instruments and equipment — Appropriata mirrors must be fitted. All instruments and equipment must ba in good working order, including * speadometer * hoo, * windscrean wipers/washers, Vehicle modifications Some vahicla modifications such as heaivily-tintad windows may restrict vision. Others may potentially endanger padestrians, as in the case of bull bars. Disability modifications — If your vehicle has bean adapted for your disability, make sure that tha modifications don't affact the sale control of the vehiclaThe Highway Code The Highway Code contains essential advice for all road users. A set of rules lis purpose is to pravent road trafic incidents by ensuring that we all adopt the same rulas when we use the road, Road traffic law has developed over the years into @ comprehensive set of rules, many with underpinning legislation. Usa of MUST ce MUST NOT in red within a rule indicates that direct legislation apples, and a referenoa to that legisiation also appears banaath tha rule. Hf you disobay thase rules you are commiting a criminal offenca. The Highway Code explains these rulas as simply as possible and helps to make sure thay are fully understood. Road traffic law changas from tima to time, and so do the panalties for breaking it. Make sura you keep up to date. The Highway Coda is updated fairly frequently, and you should studly and apply the contents of the current edition. You MUST know and comply with all trafic signs and mad markings «signals given by police officers, trafic wardens, school crossing wardens, Highways Agency Traffic Oficers, VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agancy) officials and any authorised person (ag road workers operating STOP/GO boards} «traffic signals at — junctions/cressreads ~ roadworks — narrow bridges — pedestrian crossings ~ firefambulance stations* — level crossings® — tramway (LRT) crossings. “usually red flashing lights a7Road safety In everyday driving, you nead to follow the rules set down in The Highway Goda for your own safety and that of all road users. Even if you're an experienced drwver, you need to know The Highway Code thoroughiy and apply it in your everyday driving. You MUST NOT driva * dangerously without due cara and sttantion © without reasonable consideration for other road users. Although not al the rules in The Highway Coda are lagal requirements, thay can be used in court proceedings 10 establish liability and support prosecutions under tha Traffic Acts. Lock on The Highway Cod as an aid to safe driving. Don't look on it as a restriction, Tha Highway Code is avrallable as a book or an interactive CD Rom as well as in British Sign Language.Seat belts Seat bets save Ives and reduce therisk of © coractly adjusted and are comfortable, with injury. Unless you'ra exampt, you must both tha lap belt, and the diagonal batt Waar a seat belt if ona is available, where availzble, protecting tha body. The following table summarises the legal The driver is responsible for ensuring that all requirements for the wearng of seat belts, —_chidren under 14 years of age wear seal is important that saat belts are always belts or use an approved child restraint. ted Driver ‘Seat belt MUST be worn if fitted Child under Correct child restraint Correct child restraint 3 years old MUST be used MUST be used* Child from rd Correct child restraint Correct child restraint birthday up to ‘MUST be used MUST be used where 1.35m in height seat belts fitted"* (or 12th berthay, vwhichawer they reach first) Child over 1.35m Adult seat belt Adult seat belt MUST (approx 4it Sins) in: MUST be wom if be worn if available height, or 120r13 — aniiable years ‘Adult passengers. Seat belt MUST be aged 14 years and worn if available over me comme cra mera ict musts 8 a te cee ey ave unresrnec "rine coment ree meta ret nea Reet ao pat Mam eee, or ans wt unepeeted racanty oier wort fetanes, or wrere tn con.pled crea restrants pier mem ef 8 thr ‘ran an seal sat bot MUST be wom, 39Carrying children A child reatraint appropriate to the child's weight and siza MUST be used when camrying childken under 4.35 metras tal. Types of restraint include * baby seat * chid saat * booster seat * booster cushion Child seat restraints MUST be correctly fitted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. if in doubt, seek specialist advice, Adults MUST NOT put one seat belt around both thamsaives and an infant on their lap. This does not comply with the law and could result in severe intemal, and/or fatal, crush injuries to the child in tha event of a crash, When carrying chidren you should also ensure that © they are kept under control child safety door locks are used, whera fitted they do not sit behind the rear seats in an estate car or hatchback, unless & special child seat has been fitted. Air bags Raar-facing child seats MUST NOT ba used in a saat protected by an ar bag. In a collision, the airbag would hit tha child saat with such a force that tha child would almost certainly receive sarious or fatal injuries.itis your responsibilty as a ckiver to ensure that your vehicla Is not overloaded. Never exceed the weight limits for yaur vehicle, it can be dangerous. It will also mean that your vehicle uses mare fuel as tha angina has to work harder. ‘You MUST also ansura that any load « is fastened securely * does not obscure your view * does not stick aut dangarausly. Maka sure that any objects or animals you carry ara secured safely. * Dogs should be strapped in with a special car harnass or travel behind 2 rile. Other animats should be carrisd in cages or special cary boxas which should be secured with the seat belt Make sura packages ara securely stored, preferably in the boot of the vehicle where they should be strapped down or wadigad in to stop them moving araund if you do need to cary packagas inside the car make sure that they wil not mova if you have to brake or turn suddenly. In particular * strap down any large or heavy abject with the seat belt anything on the paroal shall or are that it would obstruct your it is probably safest to cary small itams con the floor, but make sure they dan't gat into tha footwell and impade your uss of tha pecials Loading your vehicle Any load wil have an effect on the handling of your car © you nead to allow a greater stopping distanoa when carrying a heavy load you may nad to adjust your headlights and inflata your tyras more to take account of the load you shauld ensure that you cistributa the weight evanly a5 any change to the centre of gravity will afisct the braking and steering, Consider fiting © a spocially dasigned roof box to cary bulky items. This is steamined to save fuel 2s well 25 securing the load mare safaly special cycie racks an top of or behind the car to cary cycles mora securely if they are fitted behind the car make sure that the number plates and lights are not obscured)section three @ The hand controls @ The foot controls ® Switches @ Other controlsDriving position ‘You must adopt a suitabla driving position before you can use the controls on the car safely. ‘You must be abla to + reach and use each control easly and comfortabiy; for example, you should be able to operata the clutch pedal withaut stretching your left lag control the vehicle by keaping a suitable grip on the steering wheal; your arms should be relaxed and not restricted at the ebows sea the road ahead clearly. Driving seat adjustment ‘You must make sura that the seat is adjusted to sult you. Most driving seats can be adjusted for + ‘taka’ — the angle of the seat back * position - the seat wil move forwards or backwards. ‘Sometimes, especialy on larger vehicles, the driving seat wil also adjust for height Driver and front passengers should avoid sitting too close to the stearing wheel ar dashboard Hf someone else has been driving the ohicle, make sure you make any adjustments belora you start to drive, Never adjust your saat while the wehicle is moving As soon as you're seated, chack that tha vahicle is secure by ensuring the parking brake is apoliad, Steering column adjustment On some vahicles, you can adust the angle of tit of tha staering column to suit you. When making this adjustment, take care not to alow the steering wheal to interfere with your view of tha instrument panal, Also, make sure you sacure the locking mechanism aftar any adjustment Never attempt to adjust your steering column angle while tha vehicla is maving.Head restraint adjustment Head restraints ara provided to protact aginst neck and spina injuries, commonly roferrad to as whiplash. For maximum protection, correct head restraint acjustment is vital - but all tao aay to overtook The head restraints should ba adjusted so that tha rigid part of tha head restraint is at least as high as the ayes or top of the ears © a5 close to the back of the head as is comfortable An incorrectly adjusted head restraint offers litle oF no protection against véhiglash injuries. Don't remove the head restraints; thay are fitted for your safaty and can sava you fram more serious injuries in the vent of an incidant. Remember, it's a head restraint not a head rest. Seat belt adjustment Adjust the seat belt properly. Place the tap ball as low as possible over the hips Ensure the shoulder ball fes on the chast and over the shoulder. Mary cars are now fitted with height adjusters for the diagonal strap. The lagonal strap should be adjustad to lie centraly over the shoulder and away from the nack. Adjust the strap so that it fies in ‘contact with your shoulder and sloges up and back to the anchorage pointThe hand controls Tha positions of some of the controls, such as indicators, light switches and windscreen wipers, vary from model to modal Balore you drive a strange vehicle, you should familiarise yourself with tha positions of af controls. You should naver hava to fumble oF look down for them when you'ra driving, Keap your ayas on the road. The steering wheel Tha staering wheel should normally ba controlad with both hands. Funetion — Ta contral the direction in which you want the vehicle to travel Tha staering wheel contrats the steering mechanism, which tums * the front wheels in most vehicles + all four wheels in vehiclas with four-wheel staering - Iirited to a smal number of models. How to use the steoring wheel - For bast contrat + keep both hands on tha wheel, unless you're changing gear or working anather control with one hand, Return that hand to tha wheal immadkately you have finishad tha task avoid resting your arm on the door, which can rastrict your movement grip tha whee! firmly, but nat too tightly: when the vebicie is moving you need very litt effort to tum the wheel.Stearing lack" — This is tha angle through ne front whaels tum when you turn the steering wheal: that is “right lack’ or ‘eft lock’ Turing the steering wheel as far 2s it will go is called Tull lock’. The amount of lock varias from webicla ta vehicla, ‘Smal cars wil gonerally tum in a smaller circle than larger vehicles. Taxi cabs ara an obvious exception, they have a very amal tuming circle. e confused with the steering king mechanism wi whan the ignition key is remo mociem vehicles as an anti-theft device ‘You should placa your hands on the steering wheal ina position that’s comfortable and which Gives you full control * keep your maverients staady and smooth « tum the steering wheal to tum a at the correct time. cornerOversteer and understeer — Vohicles vary in how thay bahave when turning at various road speeds Some respond more than you expect in relation to the amount of turn you giva the vwsheel (oversteer). Same respond less (understear, You must gat to knaw the characteristics of your vehicia before you drive in trafic, and drive extra carefully until you're familie with its behaviour Power-assisted steering (PAS) - Mest vohiclas now have power-assisted steering. This makes steering easier ~ particularly for drivers with weakness in their ims. PAS reduces criver stecring effort and gives a lightar feel to the staering (On some wehicles the amount of power assistanoa reduces with increased speed. PAS is most useful at low spaeds, such as manoeuvring in a tight comer or parking, With PAS the steering feals ight and you can easly tum the wheal tao much, espacially if you're used to chiving a wehicle nat fitted with i Dry steering — When you ara manoauvring, try to avoid turning the steering wheal when the vehicle is stationary. This Is known as ‘dy steering’ and may cause * damage to the tyres, excess wear in tha steating mechanism. This applies whether you have PAS or nat. Power Assisted Steenng halps to manoeuvre the car mars easly, especialy when turing a fight comer or parking. a7The gear lever The gear laver is normally to the left of the diving seat, ether on tha floor or on a raised console. Atew cars have the gear lever protruding from the instrument panel, and a faw have gear lever an tha stesring column. Function - Tha gear lever enables you ta change from one gear to another. The gearbox The gearbox contains the gears, which control the relationship between engine speed and road speed. First gear provides the greatest force at the driving wheels and is normally the one you use to get tha vehicle moving. As you spaed up, you change up to tha higher gaars, each one giving you lass gear force but mare road speed. Tap gear provides the least force, but usually has the widest range of speeds. Using as high a gear as passibla for speed and road traffic conditions saves fuel Most modem cars have five or six forward gears, while heavier vehicles offen have many more. As well as the five or si forward gears, thera is also a reverse gear. In neutral, no gear is engaged. Tha clutch links the engine to the road wheels through the gearbox and allows tha gradual connection of the engine to tha wheels. Four-wheel drive vehicles may have a double gearbox with high- and low-ratio ranges, which effectively double tha number of avaiable gears to eight or ten Tha lower range is normaly used off-road.Gear positions Mast cars hava five-spaed or six-spaed s. The frst four gears normaly an‘H’, while reverse and fifth form an addtional ‘I’. Moving from fith to reverse is frequently protectad, and tha gear lever automatically springs back into neutral whan no gear is engaged. This tendency of the gear stick to line up with particular (gears is knawm as bias. Third and fourth gears ara often lined up. ‘Some older cars have four-speed gearboxes. These have tha gears in ani'H’, with reverse extended cn the laft or right Avoid looking down at the gear laver ~ You should have a mental pictura of the gear layout. This will enable you to change gear without looking at tha diagram on top of the gear lever. Your eyes should be on the road, the controls With practice, changing sar becomes second nature. For automatic: transmission systems, seeThe parking brake Sometimas the parking brake is refarred to as a handbrake, Position — Tha parking bralce lover is normally floor-mounted just behind the gear lever. In some vehicles, it is just under tha instrument panel, while on some other models the parking braka is applied by operating an additional paca Function - The function of the parking brake is to hold the vehicle sill when it has stopped. In most cars the parking brake operates on the rear wheels only. If it's applied while the vahicla is moving, there's a real danger locking the braked wheals and skidding. The parking brake shouldn't be used to stop a moving vehicle, except in an emergency such as foatbeaka failure — vary unlikely with dual-circuit braking systems. ‘Applying — Generally you should press tha button on top of the parking brake lever and pull the lever fuly upwards. Than release the button. Tha parking brake vail engage in tha ‘an’ pasition. Howaver some manufacturers recommend that you don’t press the button in while polling the lever up. Rafer to your manufacturer's handbook to check tha correct procadure for your wehicls r 7 Releasing - Pul the lever up slightly and press the button in to ralease the ratchel Then, keeping tha button in, move tha laver to tha ‘off position. (On some vehicles, instead of pressing a button, tha pariong brake is released by twisting the hand grip. Electronic parking brake — Some modem vehicles are fitted with an electronic parking brake which is oporatad with a switch or button and releases automaticaly when you drive offthe controls The foot controls The accelerator/gas pedal This is operated by tha right foot and is positioned on the extreme right of the group of thros pedals. Function - Tha accelerator contrals the rate at which tha micura of fuel andl ar is suppliad to the engine. Tha name ‘gas pedal’ is derived fram ‘gasoline’, the Amarican word for petrol Petrol engines - A carburettor mixes the fuel with ar which is than drawn into tha engine Mary madem cars have an elactronic fuel injection system Instead of a carburettor. Diesel engines — A high-pressure fusl injector delivers the fual into the cyinders. This is knavm as @ compression-ignition engine In both engine types ~ The more you press the accelerator, tha more ful qoes to tha engine, the more power is generated and the higher the engine spead. Getting to know the right amount of prassure to put on the accelerator takes practice. Accelerating fiercaly also wastes fuel and creates noise. When moving off, you nead just the right amount. Too litle, and the engine stalls. Too much, and the vehicle can surga forward 54The footbrake As well as. the accelerator, tha right foot Operates the footbrake. You shouldn't need to use both controls at the same time. Tha footbrake is the midde of tha group of three pedals, so the right foot can travel smoothly and quickly from one to the other Function — Tha function of the footbralke: is to slow down or stop the vehicle, Using the footbrake - Tha mare pressure you put on the footbraka, the mora tha vohicle wall slow down Slowing down under contral isn't just a matter of slamming the footbraka on as hard as you can, As with the other foot controls, using the footbraka needs practica, Press the footbrake with the ball of your foot. Use enough pressure to slow the véheels without allowing them to lock &2 Progressive braking — in normal circumstances, always press lightly on the brake padal to begin with and gradually prass harder as the beakes begin ta act. Thisis known as prograssiva braking, and veil give maximum control as wall 2 smoother stopping Dual-circuit braking - Modem cars are equipped with dual-circuit braking systems. Thasa systems ensure thal, in tha rare event of a braking system falure, there remains scma braking available when tha brake padal is pressed. Under these conditions it may be necessary to push the brake pedal harder than normal Anti-lock braking system (ABS) ~ Mary cars either have ABS fitted or have it available as an option \FABS is fitted it activatas automatically. It ppravents the wheels from locking so thal you can continue to steer the vahicla during braking. You should rafer to the owner's handbook for detais of the manufacturer's recommended method of us. ABS is only a diver aid, it doesn't help the Vahicla to stop more quickly, Nor does it remove tha need for good driving practices such as anticipating events and assessing road conditions. You sill need to plan well ahead and brake smoothly and progressively.The clutch The clutch pedal is operated by the left foot andis on the left of tha group of thrae pada. Function - The clutch is the connection batwieen the engine and the gearbox. It's a connection aver which the driver has control, but which requires practice in its use. How it works - nits simplest form, the clutch is made up of two plates. One is connected to the engine and rotates all tha time tha engine is running. The other is linked to tha gearbox and rotates only when it's hald against the first plate by springs. When you press the clutch pedal, you force tha plates apart, breaking the drive connection. In neutral, even though both plates ara touching, the wheels do not turn because na gear is engaged. the controls The ‘biting point - The point of engagement, whan the two platas begin to make contact and the load on the engine increases, is known as the ‘biting point You'lllearn with practice to judge the biting point exactly. Youll foal i, and hear it bacause tha angina speed will chop slightly. The fael of the clutch will vary with dliferant vohiclas, Also, as the clutch plates begin to wear, the biting point may change. Clutch control - Being abie ta sansa the biting paint is a crucial part of clutch contrat The other important partis allowing the clutch plates to engage fully and smoothly. Ifthe platas come together too suddenly, the engine can stall or tha vehicle may jerk out of control Good clutch control only comes with practice, and is essential when moving off or changing gearSwitches Sidelights and headlights Position - On many vehicles, tha lighting controls are ona stak at tha sida of the steering column. This stalk normally has thraa positions 1 off sidelights for dim-dip), rear and number plate lights headlights [main or dipped beam) and the dip control. On scma vehicles tha dip control is a separate switch. we Some vahicles have ‘dim-dip’ headlights. which coma cn as the sidelights are switched cn. i's impossible to driva these vohiclas with only the sidalights switched on. Tha sidalights normally work without the ignition being switched Use — This is covered in tha section on driving at night Normaly 3 waming Ny ye) shows his are an main bem tha haa lights shauld work only when the ights or headlights ara on. Modern Vahiclas must be fittad with at least one reer fog ight. Front fog lights are often fitted as an option. Foy Position - Since they're only used in bad weather, the fog light switches are usualy on the instrument panel rather than on the steering column. Use — You must only use fog lights when visibly is seriously reduced, ie reduoad to 400 matras (328 feet) or less. You must not use fog lights in any other circumstances, because they can dazzle and distract other driversDirection Indicator Position - The direction indicator switch is usualy on a stalk which may ba on eithar of tha steering column, Function — Its function is to enabla you to use the direction indicators to shaw other road users which direction you intand to tales. Correct use of the direction indicators to safe diving. Set-canceling ndcator switches might not cancel after a slight change of ci the controls Always check that the signal has been cancelled. You can do this by checking the repeater warning light © audible warning, usually a ticking noise whan the indicators ara flashing Use - You should be able to oparate the direction indicators without taking your hand off the steering wheelPosition - The position of this switch varies. Some vahiclas have it on the steering column, others on the instrument panel It usualy within easy reach of the driver's hands clearly marked to pravent accidental use. Use — Should ba used to warn other road users when you're tempoearily obstructing traffic, for exampla when you have broken caw * you have to slow down quickly an a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway, because of a hazard ahead Only use them fong enough te ensure that your warning has been ssan Don't use them to excuse stopping in a restrictad area, such as cn double yellow lines, regardlass of how brief your stop. Bacause tha lights flash at the same rata ag normal indicators, if another driver is unable to ssa both sides of your vehiclo, the hazard warning fights could be mistaken for a turning or moving out signal. 56Windscreen washers and wipers: Position — The windscreen washer and wiper controls are usually on stalks mounted on the steering column. You should be able to find the contral without taking your eyes off the road, On most vehicles, tha same stalk controls both the wipars and washers. Washars and wipers are essential in bad weather. Where they are provided, rear wipers! washers hava Separate controls. Some vehicles may be fitted with miniature wipers/washars to kaep the headlamps clear. Function — Thair function is to keap tha windscreen clear of rain, spray, snow or fog. Use washers before wipers — Use your washers first to wel the surface before you switch on your windscrean wipars. Wiging a dry windscreen can cause scratches to the screen as well as shortening the life of the winee blades. Avoiding excessive dirt build-up can also help to stop scratchas on your windscrean. Tiny bits of grit can scratch the surlace and make driving al right very dificult Wash your windscreen regularly with a sponge and plonty of water. Wash the wipar blades as well Regular checks - Check the fluid containers regularly, and keep them topped up. You can usa aditives to prevent smearing, assist cleaning and, especially in the winter, to prevent icing up. Wiper blades ~ Winer blades are vital to your safety. Replace them when woen or when they become inaffactiva,Position - On most vehicles, tha horn switch is either * onthe staering wheel onthe outer end of the stalle which controls the direction indicators, Function — Its function is to wam other Toad users of your presenca. Use — Usa il to tell other road users you're there, if this is necessary. ‘Aggressive sounding of the horn is dangerous. It can distract and alarm other road users. ‘You must nat sound your horn (unless theee’s a danger from another vehicle), whan your vehicie is stationary or when driving in a buil-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am. Heated windscreen and rear window Most cars have heated rear windows, and soma hava heated front windscreens: as well, Function — Thair function is to keap the windscreen and rear screen clear of * internal condensation © frost and ica on the outside. Use - They should ba usad as nacessary to keep your front and rear windseraens clear, especially in wat and cold conditions. Demister - Once the engina has vearmad up, you can set the controls to drect warm air to tha windscreen and, on some: Vahicles, the front side windows. The fan control can be set to boost the warm air flow. 5BIgnition switch and starter Position — Usually positioned on the steering column Before operating the starter — make sure that © the parking brake is on © the gear lever is in neutral. (On mest vehicles, tha ignition and starter are incorporated in tha sama switch and operated by the ignition key, Same vehicles have a separate starter button. On mest vehicles, an anti-theft devioa is incorporated into tha ignition switch and operated by tha ignition key. The mechanism locks the steering column, slight movement may need to ba applied to the steering wheel while turning tha ignition key to release it. The first position - This operates scma af the electrical equigment, such as tha radio. The second position - This switches an the ignition, instrumant panel and gauges. red ignition warning fight vill usually show when the key reaches this position, The third position — This operates the starter. The direction indicators, and on some vohiclas the headlamps, wif only operate when the ignition is switched on, Use - The starter is usually operated by turning the ignition key to its maximum. As soon as the engina starts, release the key. Don't operate tha starter when tha engine is running. This can damage the starter motor and tha engagement mechanism. Being towed — Wvhan the vahicle is being towed, the anti-thaft devica lacking the steering column must be releasad by inserting the ignition key and ensuring that the steering wheel is free to move (uniass a suspended law is being used}.Other controls Instrument panel For detailed information and guidance on this, see your vahicla owner's handbook. The main visual aids on the instrument panel are © speedometer: to tell you how quickly the vohicle is travelling in miles and kilometres per hour. I's usually a dial, with a needle showing the spaed, but it may be a digital display direction indicator repeater light(s) fuel gauge high-beam indicator light (usually blue) © rev counter: on some vahiclas, to tall you the engine spead in revolutions per minute (far) warming-up call indicator lamp: on cesel engines temperature gauge (may be a warning light). visual sids are grouped on the ins 60 trument pene! rectly in front of the driving seat Crulse control This is usually an elactronic device which enables the criver to selact and maintain a safe speed on the open read Usa cruisa control on your vehicle if tis fitfed. Tha sophisticated elactronics in the engine management system pracisaly measure tha amount of fuel the engine needs to work most efficiently for a given spead, If you use this where you can it may cut down on your fuel consumption. It reliaves the driver of the physical effort involved in keeping an even pressure on the accelerator pedal for long periods. I's only suitable where continual changas of speed are unlikely to be required Normal contl can be resumed immediately should tha need arise, in mast cases this happans as soon as tha driver uses tha accelerator, clutch or the footbraka.Warning lights Function — Thasa lamps halp you to + crive safaly ‘+ monitor the performance of the engine * protect your engine and other equipmant against damage + see the functions selected Types of lamp — There are many different types of lamp which may be fitted, including + ol pressure (often amber). This shows if tha oil is dangerously low or isn't circuéating as it should be. This should light up as you tum tha ignition on, but go out as the engina starts * ignition warning light (usually rec). IF tris comes on when tha engine is running. it shows you hava a problem with the electrical charging system + ABS. This should light up as you tum the ignition on and may nat go aut unti the car is travaling at 5-10 mph * brake condition warning light wator tamparature, if the angina is overheating (can be gauge) doors opan/boat lid unlocked "Parking brake applied! fight four-way hazard flashers rear fog-lamp warning light rear screen heater indicator ight seat belt waming lights fog/head/sida lamps indicator light. Choke Al vehiclos with petrol engines hava some form of choke. This reduces tha amount of air in the air/fuel mixture, and helps to start the engine from cold. Most cars have an automatic choke but some older cars may have a manua choke. The further you pull the control aut, the richer the mixture and you must push in the control as saon as the engine warms up. ‘A pre-heating device is incorporated in soma diesel-angined vehicles. The starter should only be oparatad when the indicator light goes aut (where fitted). Brake condition Oi pressure Doors open Seat belt 61MIRRORS This section covers Mirrors Adjusting mirrors Using mirrors Blind spots The mirrors and hazards MSM routine ooo 000Mirrors Using the mirors has to be part ofabasic ©». Defensive driving Minors - Signal - Manoouvre (MEM) an routine. You must always know how your diving mirror is often raterred to. as driving is likely to affect traffic behind you the drivers third aya. Minors ara one of the keys to defensive The MEM routine includes interpreting what 2 abs praing driving. Always use tham to keap up to you see in the mirrors and acting i pac date with what's behind and to the sides: appropriately Reguiar and sensible use of of your vehicle, the mirrors is an essential element of safe diving. You should maka the MSM routine an integral part of your driving. Mader cars are required to have an offside (driver's sid) mirror fitted, a3 wa as an intesior miroe. Howevar most vehicles have: threa driving mirrors + an interior minor + two edtarior mirors, one on the nearsicie (eft-hand} door and one on the offside (ght-hand) door. Vans and other vehicles with a restricted view to the rar must have an extenor mimor on each side. Function Your mirrors + give you a view of tha road behind and to tha sides enatle you to keep up to date with what's happening behind and to the sides of your vehicio * hep you to make safa and sensible dacisions, based on the position and spead of other traffic, The view covered by your interior ant exterior mirars,Avehicie behind seems smaller ina convex mirror, 50 it could ba closer than you think. Most intenor and some extenor door mirrors have flat glass. ‘Some cars may have ‘split’ mirrors which vider Vision, Flat mirrors don't distort the picture of tha M8 WHET VSICn, road behind. This makes it easier to judge the spaed and distance of folowing trafic. If you're towing a caravan or a wide trailer, fit sida minors with extended arms to to sea past the caravan or Mary exterior mirrors have conax glass, which * is sightly curved Your interior mirror cannot be used when you're towing a caravan, becausa your viaw «ives a wider felt of vision SEE ai ee of the road behind is usually blocked This makes curate judgement of spaed of vehicles bahind you moraAdjusting mirrors Rimember to check that your exterior mirrors are stil positioned correctly after you have been through a car wash. Before moving off, make sure all mirrors ara clean and adjusted to giva you the bast possible view of the road betind. While in your normal driving position, adust your mimars so that you raquira the minirnum of head movement to get @ good view of traffic behind. Always chack your view a part of your “cockpit dri (sae page 75). When adjusting mirroes, grip them at the edge fo avoid getting finger marks on the surface. Fingermarks can distort and blur the view in the mirror. Interior mirror Adjust your interior mirroe so that you get the best possible view through tha rear window, espacially to tha offside, without maving your head. Exterlor mirrors Agjust your exterior mirrors to give the bast view bahind «so that the side of tha vehicle is only just visible. Don't adjust the mirrors whila you're drving. Dot before you mova aff, or at any ima your vehica is stationary. Check when you get into your vahicie that they've not baen knocked out of position. Keap your extarior mirors clean, and before you move off, ensure they are claar of frost and condensation. Electric mirrors Many vebicles have door mirrors which can be adjusted electrically using switches inside the vehicle. Some of them have a heating lament to keep them claar of frost and condensation. Adjust your mirrors before you set out and nat while you're driving. Anti-dazzle mirrors The: interior mirror usually has an anti-clazzie position. When driving at night, you can usa this to pravant dazzla cr distraction by the lights of traffic behind you. You'll atl be able to see tha lights, but the dazzle will be greatly reduced.Using mirrors Using your driving mirrors reguiarly and sansibly is vital to good driving Leaming to judge tha speed and distance of vahicles behind you takes time, Try the folowing exercise whan your ehicle is stationary. © Compara tha different impressions you get when you view vehicles through the interice mirtor and tha exterior mirror. The vahicles may seem smaler in the exterior ior, Then lock aver your shoulder to gat tha real view. Also while you'ra stationary, look for blind spots. These are tha areas that your iors don't always show you, which are explained on page 67 Which mirror to use Your use of tha mimars should be linked to the manpeuire you intend to maka and the type of vehicle you're driving Normally you should always use tha interior mimrar frst, folowed by the exterior ones. Your use of tha aicerior minors will dapand on tha manoeuvre and the situation. For example, before tuming laft in slow-maving traffic, your nearside exterior mirror wil help you ta look for cyclists fitering an your left. When to use your mirrors You should always * use your mirrors in good time, that is, well bafora you ~ approach a hazard — Sow down, change lane or begin any manoeuvre * act sensibly on what you see + bogin tha MBM (page 70) routine early And always use your mirrors belora * moving off + signaling + changing direction/ane, turing loft, Tight of overtaking slowing down or stopping * opening your car door, This is one of tha few driving rules that is not subject to any exception or qualification, other than in an emargency. What's behind you? Ask yourself * how close is traffic behind yau? + how fast is it moving? what is it doing? * is the manoeuvre sale? It's also important to usa tha mirrors early enough to allow other road users time to react to any sional you nead to give. Use your mirrors to chack their reactionBlind spots blind spot is the area that cannot ba sean either when using normal forward vision or whan using the minors. The main blind spots ara + the area botwean what you see as you look forward and what you sae in your exterior mirror * the area obscured by the bodywork of the vehicle when you lock in your mirrors. Vehicles of different shapes have different blind spots. ‘You should be awara that some 4x43 have vary large blind spots - they can obscure groups of pedestrians, a motorcyclist or a small car. (Check your mircrs Exterior mirrors help reduoa bind spots, but remember that mirors wil nat show you everything behing you. Auxiary mirrors are available to mount on the surface of exterior minors. These give an even wider angie af vision and go some way to reducing blind spots, but won't anfiraly eliminate them. Evan though you have used your mirrors, always look round aver your right shoulder to check tha blind spot before you mows off (Check your bind spat 67ecking blind mo’ spots the Thera will ba occasions whan it will be necessary to check bind spots on the move, These bind spots will be to either side and should not require looking round, but rather a quick sidaways glance. Locking tight round to check biind spots on the mova is unnecessary and dangerous especialy when diving at high spaeds; in the time it tales you'll lose touch with what's happening in front. Rogular and sensible use of the mirrors will keep you up to date with what's happening behind. You wil, however, stil need to know when a glance inta the bind spots is needed. 68 Take a quick sideways glance * balora changing lanes © balora joining a motorway or dual carriageway from a slip road © belora manoeuvring in situations where tratic is marging from the loft ce right. Defensive driving — Recognise where ther divers" blind areas will be and avoid remaining in tham longer than necessary This is particularly important when overtaking larga vehiclesThe mirrors and hazards Abhazard is any situation which involves you in some risk or danger. Hazards may cause you to slow down oe change course. When approaching a hazard, you should use your mirrors and be prepared ta change speed anc/or drection. Hazards include © bends in the road junctions © padastrian crossings © road works « livestock on the road. Always check your mirrors in good time, and before you changa direction, to decida «© whather a signal is necassary * whather it's safe to change speed or direction. Keeping up to date Keap up to date with the position and spead of traffic behind you. Good drivers should always. know as much about the conditions behind as they know about the situation ahaad. Traffic positions change rapidly on some roads. Frequent glances in mirrors keep you up ta data with what's bahind. How fraquantly depends on road and trafic conditions. Driving on high-speed roads When driving on motorways or dual cariageways, chack your mirrors earlier than you would on ordinary roads. The higher speads are more dificult to judge and situations develop mora quickly.MSM routine Rogardlass of your criving experienca, you must make the Merars ~ Signal ~ Manceuvre routine an integral part of your driving. Ramember this routine + MIRRORS — check tha speed and position of traffic behind you * SIGNAL — consider whether a signal is necessary. If itis, signal your intention to change course or slow down clearly and in good time * MANOEUVRE - 3 manoauvre is any change of spaed or position This is broken down into P Position 8 - Spead L - Look Position - Your vehicle must always ba in the correct position for the manoeuvre. When a change of direction is required, move into position in good time, Speed — Ensure that the vohicla is travelling af the appropriate speed and in a suttabla gear to complete the manoeuvre safaly. 7O Look - The ‘look’ phase consists of four elements (LADA) * Looking — What can you sea? © Assassing - What are your options? * Deciding - Depending on what you sae. Acting — Either continue or wait Using MSM Always usa the MSM routine before © moving off * signaling © changing direction — tuming left or right — overtaking of changing lanes * slowing down or stopping. Never «signal without chacking mirrors first rely solely on mirrors when you're reversing. Keep looking around to walen for other road users «assume that, bacause you have signalled, you can carry aut the intanded manoeuvre safely: Check to be sure. Other road users might not ~ hava sean your signal — understand your intantion,@® miror = =@& signa ©) position © Spood (@® Look ASTARTING TO DRIVE This section covers Getting started Vehicle checks Starting the engine Moving off Braking Stopping in an emergency Skidding The parking brake Steering Changing gear Signalling Moving off at an angle @ Moving off on hills e@ooe 008 80800 0 “Controlling the parking brake and clutch This requires good timing, lf you release the parking brake too sacn, the vehicle wil roll back. Tha vehicla will stall i you hold tha parking bralee too long ‘you bring up the clutch too quickly or too far you don't use encugh accalaration Practise the steps until you've mastered the technique. Then practise moving off uphill without roling backwards; from behind a parkad vehicle and at an angle Tha mora you practise this manoeuvre, the more competent you'll ba at getting it night.Moving off downhill Tha routing is simplar than moving off uphill because the waight of the vehicle helps you to move away. Tha aim is to pravant the vehicle from roling forward down the hil whilst maving away. Tha most effective, and possibly simplest, mathod is as follows: Press the clutch pedal down fully. Engage tha appropriate gear for the severity of tha slope (this could be second gest) Apply the foatbraka Please the parking brake, keeping tha footbrake appliod, Check mirrors. Look round just before you move off to cover the blind spots. Signal if nacassary. * Only move away when you're sure it safe to do so. Look round again if necessary: Aslease the foolbrake and release the clutch pedal smoathly as tha vehicla starts te move, However, thera may be other methods that canbe employed. If they ensure that tha manoeuvre is carried out under control, they are equally acceptable. 104TRAFFIC SIGNS This section covers ® The purpose of traffic signs ® Signs giving warning @ Signs giving orders ® Signs giving directions and other information Waiting restrictions Road markings Traffic lights Traffic calming Lavel crossings eooodThe purpose of traffic signs ‘Signs ara an esseniial part of any traffic system. Thay tal you about tha rulas you must abay and war you sbaut the hazards you may meat on the road ahead, Signs can be in the form of words or symbols on panels, road markings, beacons, bolards or traffic lights This section deals with the various types of trafic signs and ther meaning. What are the basic rules whan it comes to recognising signs? You'll recognise traffic signs more easly if you understand some basic rules. The shane and colour of ihe main groups ere Circular signs — These: give orders. Bue crcles tell you what you MUST do while signs with red rings tall you what you MUST NOT co. ‘Triangular signs - Thase wan you of something, such es a junction. To do its job, a sign must giva its massage clearly and early enough for you to sea i, understand it and then act safely on it. Symbols Symbols are used as much as possible because they're +more easily recognised and understood + mainly standardised, particularly thoughout Europa. Rectangular signs — These inform and give drections. Other shapes — There are afew exceptions to these nies to give greater prominence to some signs.starting to drive Getting started Before you drive on busy roads and in trafic, you should master the basic techniquas of starting, moving aff and stopping. You must have full contral of your vohicla at all timas. This involves * a.good working knowladiga of the various controls: © being able to co-ordinate hand and foot controls togather. In addition you need to have an understanding of tha rules of the road * respect for the needs of other road users * a basic knowledga, to enable you to cchack your vahicle to make sure everything is working correctly and the vahicle is safe before salting out Starting to drive isn’t just 2 matter of starting the engina and driving off. 7Vehicle checks ‘You should first of all check your vehicle to make sura it's safe and ready for the road. Everyday checks Make a habit of chacking daily that © the windscreen, windows and mirrors are clean all lights (netuding baka lights and indicators) are working; replace any dsad bulbs immediately (i's a good idea to cary spare fuses and bulbs} the brakes are working; don't drive with faulty brakes Periodic checks Thesa checks are both for safety and good vehicle maintenance. Check and top up if necassary © engine ol water level in tha radiator or expanion tank © brake fluid level 74 batlary; top up with distiled water if necessary (some batterias are maintenance free and don't need topping up) windscreen and rear window washer bottles ‘You should also check tyres and maka sure they are * loga; they must have the correct tread depth and be free of dangerous cuts and datects at the right pressure. How oftan you maka the chacks depands ‘on how much you drive. Consult your vehicla owner's handbook. If you drive a lot, you may nead to do these every day: Basic maintenance Further information about basic maintenance can ba found in ‘Section 14 of this book. Regular servicing Have your vehicle regularly serviced. The ‘owner's handbook will tl you when servicing is recommended Having your vehicle serviced according to its maintanance schedule helps the engine work more efficiently, 50 saving fuel and reducing tha effect on the environment by cutting emissions.Cockpit drill Driving a vehicle unfamiliar Make these checks for the safety of Seven yourself, your passengers and olher read ‘Before you start your jouray, make sura users you know and understand the Every time you get into yaur vehicle, check” SoMrols; where thay are and how i they ware all doors are properly closed and the «, Size) width, fant and weight parking brake is on * handing; front, rear or four-wiheal drive brakes; whether ABS brakes are fitted. the driving seat is in the bast position, and you can see clearly in all directions and reach ALL the controls comfortably the head restraint is in the corect position the mirrors are clean and comecty adjusted you and your passengers have saat balls on check the parking brake again and that the gear lover is in neutral (if you're driving an automatic, that the gear lever isimPorN * you have enough fuel before starting your journey. 75Starting the engine After you've mada tha preliminary checks and you're settled comfortably in the driving saat, begin the dil for starting tha engine * Check the parking braka is on by trying to pul it on slightly further. Check that the gear lave is in neutral (or °P’ of ‘Nf driving an automatic) Pull the cholee out if your vehicle has ona. Most vehicles have an automatic choke. Siwitch an tha ignition by turning the kay. The ignition and ol pressure light, i fited, vill come on. Other warning lights should also come on. With a diesel engine you might hava to wait for a glow plug lamp to go out. Operate tha starter by turning tha kay further, or usa the separate starter switch, if one is fitted, Release the startar kay or swatch 23 soan as the engine begins running: otherwise the starter could be damaged. Do not operate tha starter if the anging is already running, ‘You might find it necessary to use the accelerator a littl as you operate tha starter. Tha amount wil dapand on the make and modal of your vehicls if the engine falls to start If the engine fails to start first tima © release the key or switch * wait a moment try again When the engine starts You may need to press the accelerator slightly to help the engine keep running, Tha engine should now be iding (ticking ower") Tha ignition and cil pressure warning lamps should go out whan the engina is running if either light stays on, switch off the engine and have tha fault checked. Never driva a vohicle with the oil pressure warming light showing - it could damage the anging. lf your vehicle has a manual choke, push it in as the engina warms up. Don't drive with the choke out any longer than necessary. This wastes fuel, causes wear to the engine and can be dangerous, especially with automatic transmission Mova off a5'soon as possible after starting the engine, allowing the engina to warm up while you are stationary wastes fual and causes pollution.Moving off With your laft foot, pegs the clutch pedal fully down and hold it there, Mave the gear lever into first gear. Ifit won't engage, mova the gaar lever to nautral than let out tha clutch and rapeat the frst two staps. You should prepara to move off only if you'l be abil to do 30 sataly, With your right foot, press the accelerator slightly and hold it steady © Slowly and smoothly, lat up the clutch padal until you hear tha engine noise change slightly. This changa means the clutch is af the biting point. With experiance, you'll ba able to fea tha biting point Hold the clutch steady in this position * Now make your find safaty checks, use your mirrors and look over your right shoulder to check the bind sp starting to drive Decide if @ signal is necessary. The timing of any signal is crucial, Avoid waiting unduly with the clutch at biting point. Ifit's safa to mowe off, be ready to release the parking beaka. Lock round again i necassary and keep an eye on your mirrors. When you'ra sure it's safa and conwenient move off, ralease the parking braka and at tha sama time, lat the clutch pedal come up a lita more. Tha vehicla will begin to move. Tight clutch control is readied, 50 keep the clutch pedal just above the biting point Gradual dapress the accalorator for mora speed and let the clutch come up smoothly, than take your Isft foot off the clutch pedal. Accelerating fiercely wastes fuel 7Biting point — Tha ‘biting point” is when tha clutch plates start to engaga. You must be abla to find this point confidently when you bring up the clutch pedal. Although you can press the pedal down quickly, you must not lat it coma up too fast. Practise finding the biting point until you become familie with it. Although this process is the same for all vahicles with manual geer boxes, there cant be sight variations in haw different vehicles foal, and sound, when at the biting paint. If you have to use a different vehicle on occasions while learning, take a fow minutes to peactise finding its biting point first, bafora driving on the roads. This advica also applies after you have passed your lest, whenever you have to drive an unfamiliar vehicle Practice makas perfect — Gotting these steps in tha right order i difficult at first. Choose a quiet level road to practise starting, moving off, and stopping. Don't «signal and move out regardless «sit with the signal showing when you can't move aut safely. Defensive driving * Check all round before moving aff. Signal if necassary * Don't move out into tha path of oncoming traffic. Don't rush, 7BBraking Safe and controlled braking is vital in good driving. Try to slow dawn gradually an smoothly. Anticipation If you anticipate proparly, you'll saldam need to brake fiercely Good anticipation will give you time to brake progressively ower a longer distance Late, harsh braking is a sign of poor anticipation and of reduoad safety margins. Braking and steering Braking shifts the balance of weight of tha vohicle forward and makes steering more dificult, Ifyou have to brake hard, try to do so when you're traveling in a straight line You should considlar the safaty and peaca of mind of averyone concemed, including your passangers © wear and tear on brakas, tyras and suspansion vohicles behind you whose brakes might ot be 2s powerful as yours Avoid braking on bends Braking on a bend can hava serious consequences. The weight of the vehicle is thrown outwards as well as forwards. The front tyre on the outside of the curve will be overJoadad and the vehicle could be thrown into @ savere skid, Road surface conditions can have a big effect in these situations. Watch for uneven, loase or slippery surfaces.Think ahead Think well ahead to avoid the need for harsh, uncontrolled braking. “You should newer criva too fast o¢ too close to tha vehicle in front. Other drivers might ba affected by your actions. ‘Always use your mirrors before braking and giva yourseff plenty of space. Consider © your own speed of reaction * the mechanical condition of your webicle —brakas, steering and suspension © the type, condition and pressure of your tyres the size and weight of your vahicle and its load the gradiant of the road whather the road has a camber or bend the weather and visibility © the road surfaoa. Is it rough, smooth, loose, wet, muddy, or covered with wet leaves, ice or snow? Five rules for good braking © Anficipate. Think and look wall ahead * Know your own limitations and those of your vehicle. + Take note of the stato of tha road and its surface. © Give yoursalf plenty of time and cistanca to brake prograssively © Avoid tha risk of skidding, rather than trying to control it 80 Defensive driving lf tha vehicla bahind is too close, slow clown gradually to increase your distance from the Vehicla ahead so tht you can avoid having to brake suddenly: Stopping The del for stopping is always the same, except in an emergency, You must learn it thoroughly from tha baginning The amount of pressure you nead to apply to tha footbrake depands on * your speed + how quickly you need to stop. To stop you should * use tha minors + acide whether you need to signal your intention to stop * signa if necessary (Check your mirars batore braking« take your foot off tha accelerator Tha engine wil slow down push down the bralee pacal lightly with {your right foot and then more firmly (see progressive beaking later in this section and on page 82) prass tha clutch padal right down with the left foot just bafora the vehicle stops This disangages the engin from the diving wheal and pravants stalling. Don't doit toa soon: the engine helps with braking * ease the pressure off tha footbrake just as the vehicle stops apply the parking brake put the gear levar into neutral take both feet off the pedals. Changing down before you stop - When stopping normally, you can stop in tha gear that you are in, yau don’t necassanly have to change down, However, your vehicle should always ba in the right gear for the: road spead and conditions. Brake after you have checked your minors. Progressive braking This is a safe driving technique, which * allows other drivers time to react prevents locked wheels prevents skidding ‘savas waar and tear on brakes, tyres and suspension * saves fuel is mora comfortable for your passengers. To brake progressively put light pressura on the brake at first gradually increase the pressure as. Tequired to stop the vehicle whan tha vahicle has almost stoped, ease off the pressure so that the vehicle stops smoothly. Thara should be lita or no pressure as the vehicle actually stops Practise - Choosa a particular paint at which you woud like to stop. Sae haw near to it you can gat it's better to stop short of the mark rather than overshoot it. You can always ease off the brakes and run forward @ bit more. Stopoing at the karb needs practice tao. Aim to stop reasonably close to the kerb without hitting it Both hands should be on the steering wheel. aStopping in an emergency Note This routine is not nacessarily correct if you have ABS brakas. Rater to your manufacturer's handbook. In normal conditions, a good driver should not need to brake really hard. Howaver, emergencies can happan — for instance, whan @ child runs into the road in front of you so you must knaw how to. stop quickly under control. Stopping in an emergency increases the risk of skidding. Remember, even whan stopping quickly, follow the rule of prograssive braking — pushing the braka pec harder as tha vehicle shows down. ‘A quick reaction is crucial in an emergency. ‘The sooner you start braking, the sooner ‘you will stop! Practise the following routine * Koap both hands on tha stearing wheel ‘You need as much contral as possible Avoid braking so hard that you lock any of the wheels, A skid sideways or @ wheel siding may causa serious loss of control Don't touch the clutch pedal until just before you stop. This helps with your braking and stabifly. Don't touch the parking brake, Most parking brakes work on the back wheels only. Extra braking here can cause skidding. Unless you're moving off again straight away, put the parking brake on and the gear laver into neutral Practise braking to judge tha comect pressure and ramiember to take into account road and weather conditions. If the road is dry you should apply firm pressure, but on a wet road or loose surface you should avoid using too much This means you'll need to reduce speed and increase your saparation distance fram the wehicle in frontWhen braking in an emergency © Don't signal - you need bath hands to control the steering. Don't make a special point of looking in the miror — you should know what's bahind anyway: Stop as quicidy and safaly as possible, keeping your vehicle under full contral. Look all round befoea: moving off again Defensive driving Try to avoid tha amergancy arising — Jook well ahead — waich for children playing — remember school times — Jook out for pedestrians — look for clues, such 2s reflections. * Always drive at such a speed that you can stop safoly in tha cistancs you can sa to be cleae. i i's nat clear, slow down. * Prepare for the unexpected. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) HFyour vehicle is fitted with ABS brakes, tha system activates automatically under conditions of harsh braking. ABS employs wheel-speed sensors to antidpate whan a wheel is about to lock under eqireme braking. Just before tha wheels begin to lock, the systam releases the brakes momentarily batora automatically reapplying them. This cycla is repeated savaral times a second to maximise braking performance, sanding a pulsing sensation through the brake pads, You may find this alitte disconcerting the fret time it occurs and you may be tempted to respond by relaying the pressure on the brake pedal However it is important that maximum prassure is maintained, ABS does not necessarily reduce your stopping distance but because the wheels ae prevented from locking you can continua to steer, something you would nat be able ta do if the wheels were locked Raducing the pressure or pumping the brake padal reduces tha affactivenass of the system. The pressure on the brake pedal must be maintained until the hazard is safely avoided. Knowing ABS wil help you stop safely should nat encourage you to dive less carefully, ABS cannot overcome tha laws of physics; its stil possible for one or more of tha tyres to skid becausa of + poor road contact * surface water * logsa road surface. ABS will enhance your sills, NOT replace them. Check the owner's manual for tha correct use of ABS on your particular vehicleSkidding Three important factors cause a skid. In order of importance, they are © the driver © the vehicle © the road conditions. Skids cont just happen. Thay're caused bya driver asking too much of the vehicle for the amount of grip the tyres have on the road at that time. A skid happens when you change spead or direction so suddanly that your tyres cannot keep their grp on the road, There's an increased risk of skidding as you © slow down © spesd up © tum a comer or round @ bend © dive uphill or downhil. Tho risk incraases on a slippery road surface. Skids caused by braking Harsh and uncontrolled braking is one of the chief causas of skidding. Brakes have their greatest stopping power when thay're nearly, but not quite, locked. The weight of the car is thrown forward, and tha heavier the braking tha more waight oes to tha front and the less there is on the reer wheels. The less the weight on tha rear wheels, the more likely they are to lock ‘Skidding on dry roads ~ Skids can happen con chy roads, even with good tyres, if you brake harshly. ‘Al the weight is thrown forward and it's impossible to keap tha vehicle straight. Ht bagins to swing and only has to touch something to be in danger of turning over. Anti-lock brakes ~ Anti-lock systems help you fo continue steering while braking, but on wet or slippery roads this will be less effective. The brakes are only 23 good 23 the tyre grip on the road. Do not assume that a car vith anti-lock brakes will stop in a shorter distance. Skids caused by steering These are caused by steering too sharply for the speed at which you are traveling.Skids caused by acceleration ‘Sudden or harsh aoceleration whilst cornering, particularly in tha lower gears, may cause the driving wheels to spin on the road surface. Unlass you ease off the accslorator very quickly, the vehicla could go into a skid because of the wheel-spin. Skids caused by braking and steering Hf you combine incorrect braking with incorrect steering, you'ta asking for trouble. You're bound to skid if your tyres are only just gripping whila you'ra cornering and you start braking. ‘You could also skid if you're braking when you start comaring. Don't expect your tyres to do the impossible. Tha answer is simpla: adjust your spead to the conditions and give yourself plenty of space. If the road is wat or icy, the amount of grip your tyres have is much less. Avoiding skids Thare’s no batter protection against skids than diving in a way that wall avoid them. Drivers causa skids, thay don't just happen. Taka tha following advice + On very slippery surfaces your stopping distance can be a3 much as TEN TIMES longer than on a dry road. Look out for signs of slippery roads. Any wat road, even in summer, is likely to ba slippery. 8a wary of rain, ice, packed snow, frost in shady placas, wet mud, loose surfacas and wet laaves. Diasel and of spilagas will aso make the road slippery,* IFyou suspect the road is sippery, keep ‘your speed down. Your brakes will not gel you out of trouble when your tyre grip is poor. Brakas ara far more likely to gat ‘you into trouble. Usa engine beaking. Change down in good tima but be very careful with the accelerator and clutch, parlicularty in vary slippery conditions. They can causa skids too! Koap your vehicle in goad condition — brakes that snatch or pull unevanly ara dangerous on sippery roads — an accelarator pedal linkage which is jarky can lead to wheel-spin. Anti-skid technology Electronic Stability control (ESG}, sometimes known as Electronic Stability Program (ESP), allows the vehicle to tum exactly vwhara the driver expacts and remain under control - providing the speed of tha vehicla is not too excessive for the situation. ESC cannot overcome tha laws of physics; if the driver is travelling too fast there is stil a riak of losing control, Drivers still hava a responsibilty to be able to pul up and stop in the distance they can sea to be clear and safe. The system comprises the functions of antilock braking system (ABS) and traction control system (TCS), and sims to peawentt a vahicle from skidding sideways. its key benafits ara * continued alartness, becoming active ‘when vehicla skidding is imminent datacting the risk of a skid at an early stage, even bafora braking comparing the driver's steering intention with actual travel direction (25 times per second) solactive braking intarvention so that the vahicla reacts as the driver intends, thus reducing angine power to restora vehicla stability, ESC is becoming more widely avafable in ren cars in the UK, but iti stil tha casa thal very lew smaler new cars have the system fitted. Dealing with skids lf your car is skidding there are @ number af things you should do. « Reloase the braka pacal fully. Drivers often instinctively do the opposite, keeping thair right foot hard down on the bralce pedal throughout the skid This makes matters worse, so keep olf the brakes. if you hava ABS brakes ‘you should folaw the manufacturer's instructions. Tum tha steering wheel in the same direction as the skid and ease off the accelerator at the sama time, particularly if tha sid is little more than a slight slide, This should bring the wheels into line again.Ifthe skid is more than a slight slide, ease right off tha accelerator and tum mara definitely into the skid, That is ~ if the rear of tha vahicle is going left, you shauld steer left to bring the front ‘wheels into line with tha back ~ ifthe rear of the vehicle is going right, steer to the right. Ba careful not to ‘overcorract with too much staering, ‘Too much movement of tha front \whaels wil lead to another skid in the apposite direction Ifthe front wheels are siding instead of, or as well as, the back wheels, release tha accelerator and don't try to steer until the wheels ragain some of tha grip. Too much power on a front-wheel drive vohicla can produce the same problem. Again, ease off the accelerator. Remember * Prevention is far batter than cure. * Adopt safe driving techniques which avoid the build-up to a skia, Adjust to the conditions and give yourself time to react safely a7The parking brake You should normally apply the parking brake whenever the vahicle is stationary. Apply the parking brake and put the gear lever into neutral when you're stopped at traffic lights or quauing behind ather vohiclas, unlass tha wait is likely to ba vary short. Your foot could easily slip off the footbrake example, your shoas ara wet or if ‘re bumped from bahind, You could then ba pushed into another vehicla or a padestrian, 88 Always leave a safe gap betwoan your vehicla and the vehicle in front whila queuing, especialy on a hil. This wil gve you foom to manoeuvre should the wehicle in front roll back. Always keep an eya on tha minors. The use of the parking braka is even more important in vehicles fitted with automatic transmission. Tha parking brake wil help avoid + the possibility of ‘creep’ + the vahicle surging forward if the accelerator is preased accidentally white in D (Drive.Steering When you are learning to dive, practise steering your vahicle (al low speed at first) whila keaping about 1 metre (3 feat) from the kerb, Lock well afead, nat just at the front of your vehicle, Kaap your movements steady and smooth. Never make a suddan or jarky action while steering starting to drive Steering with one hand When you can stesr 4 straight course with both hands on the steering wheel, try steering with only one hand Tha reason far practising steering with ona hand isn't so thal you can drive ke thal. H's because thare are times when you'll only have one hand tee for steering, far exampla, when you're changing gear or operating a control Stiflen your arm slightly to help you steer a straight course without puling tha wheal down or swerving. Practisa with each handChanging gear To dive safaly, you must combine tha skill cof knowing how to change gear with knowing when to change gear as well a3 which gear to selact. Thase ara skills which take time - and practice - to acquire The gear positions ‘You need to know tha variaus positions of the gear lever without having to look ciown. You can practise and gal to know the gear position with the clutch disengaged and the engine switched off, A light but firm touch should be all you need ta move from ane gear to another. Never forca tha gear lever. (On some gearboxes you might require slight pressure to overcome the sprung biss on the lever when you're changing gear First to second — You might need to put a litte pressure to tha left on the gear lever whan you change up from first to second gear. This is to prevent the laver slipping into fourth whila passing through neutral Down to first - You may need to put slight prassure to the left when you change down from third or second gear to frst Up too fifth — You will need to put pressure to the right when you change up to fifth gear. Don't force the gear laver — If you foal rasistance, don't foree the gear lever into any position. Don't - rush gear changes «© take your eyes off the road whan you change gear coast with the clutch pedal pressed in, or the gear laver in nautral hold tha gear lever longer than necessary. Changing up When to change up - You need to changa gear in order to match tha engine snesd and load to the spead of tha vehicle. This will vary with the vehicle you're driving and whether you're moving on the level, uphill or downhill. As a genaral rula, change up as the road speed increases. staning to the angina helps to dateemine whan to change up. You'll become more familize with this as you practise, and wil goon learn to recognise the appropriate level of sound at which to changa gear,To change up you should place your left hand on the gaar laver prass the clutch padal night down at the sama time as you ease off the accslerator pedal. Don't take your foot off the accelerator «move tha gear lever to tha newt highest position required let the dutch pedal come up smoothly and, al the same time, press the accelerator gradually. Put your left hand back on the steering wheel. Matching engine and road speed — Aelaasing the accelerator when changing up lets tha engine spaad drop to match the higher gear to give you a smooth gear change Judging when its time to. change up comes with experiance. Changing down When to change down - You'll need to change down to lower gear if you have slowed down and the gear youtre in doesn't provide enough power for diving at the lower spaad if you're going uphil in toa high a gear and your engine labours or struggles to give enough power to incraase the effect of the angina braking, for example, whan on a long downhill gradient. Driving in a high gear at low speed makes engine performance sluggish, and is bad driving practica Unless you intand to stop, you'll need to change to a lower gear onca you've slowed down As a ganerd rule, use tha brakes to reduce spead before changing down to tha most suitabla gear for the lower speed. In the early stages of laarning to drive, it may help you become familiar with the gearboe if you changa down through each of the gears in tum. Ba quidad by your instructor. 91‘When changing down, you might nead to © raisa the engine spaed to gel a smooth change, or * keep a light pressure on the footbrake to stop the vahicle gathering speed on a downhill slope To change down place yaur left hand on tha gaar laver prass the clutch padal right down and, at the same time, either kaap a litle prassure on the accelerator pedal or the footbrake, whichavar is aupropriata to the road and traffic conditions mowe tha gear lever to the most suitable lowar gear for the speed let the clutch pedal come up smoothly. Raturn ta the accalarator or continue braking as naoassary put your left hand back on the stearing wha How much pressure is needad on tha accelerator or footbralee whan changing down will depend on «the road and traffic conditions © the spaad of your vehicle at the time the clutch pedal is released. The sound af tha engine wall help you judge this. Finding the right gear To change gear, you nead to anticipate and assess the situation well in advance. Ask ‘yourse# if the gear you're in is correct far that particular situation. Overtaking - You should consider changing toa lower gear to ovartaka. A lower gear can give you the extra aoceleration to pass safely. Try to avoid changing gear while you're actualy overtaking. I's preferable to keep both hands on tha wheel during the manoeuvre. lower gear will give you extra engina fleibilty and therefore more vehicla contral. Going downhill — When descanding a staep hil a lower gear gives more angina braking and control, particularly on a bend. General rule — You should changa chown * to accalerate mora quickly * if your speed dropsSmooth gear changing ‘Smooth, easy gear changes are essential to good driving. Taka your time and think ahead, Assess the situation and act accordingly. Selective/block gear changing Missing out gears ~The flexibility of madim engines and the efficiency of braking systems and gearboxes often makes it unnecessary ta change into avery gear whan changing up and down the gearbox. Missing out gears at the appropriate time wil give you mare time to concentrata on the road ahead and allow you to keep both hands on the steering wheel for longer Changing down - As a general rule, itis praferable and safer to brake to the dasted speed and then change down into the appropriate gee. It might be necassary to maintain a light pressure on tha footbralce whilst changing down, Changing up — Thara are many occasions whan missing out gears whilst changing up is desirable; howaver don’t accelerate too farcaly or for toa long in the lower gears. This + uses much more fusl + could damage your angina * could cause wheel-spin and loss of control How many gears to miss out — it depends on the individual vehicle and the road and trafic conditions. Tha most common examples when changing down ara © fifth to third * fourth to second * third to frst. Tha most common examples when changing up are * frst to third + second to fourth third to fifthCoasting Coasting means that although the vehicle is moving, i's not being criven by the engine. This occurs either when the clutch pedal is held down or the gear lever is in the neutral position. ‘Any form of coasting is wrong becausa « it reduces the driver's control of the vahicle © you might have difficulty engaging a gear if something uneypacted happened © it would most cartainly lead to the vahicle gathering speed when traveling downhil. It would mean harcar beaking and it removes the assistance of angine braking in a low gear. Each me you change gaar you coast a litte; this is unavoidable, but it should ba kept toa minimum. if thera is only light pressure on tha accelerator padal when the vehicle is travaling at speed, the engine may not appear to be ‘diving’ the wehicls, This is known as traveling on the aver-run and should not be confused with coasting. There is no lass of control, bacause the vehicle is sill in gear and eithar engine braking or acceleration are available immediately. Slipping the clutch This is holding the clutch pedal partially down so that tha clutch is not fully engaged. This allows the engina to spin faster than if it was fully engaged and is often necessary when manoeuvring at slow speeds, Slipping the clutch to compansate for being in too high a gear at a low speed is bad driving practioa and should be avoided. It is not only bad driving tachnique, but can result in aycessive wear of the clutch. Judgement As you bacome mare proficient, you'll ba abla to judge exactly the gear you nad for the speed you intend and the manoeuvre you're planning.Signals are normally given by direction indicators and/or brake lights. Thara are occasions whan an arm signal can be helpful Its important that you use the correct signal Use signals * tolel others know what you intend to do * tahelp all other road users, including padastrians * in. good time and for ong enough to allow other road users to see tha signal and act upan it. ‘Signal in good time, particularly before * turing night or left + overtaking another moving vehicle + moving from one lane to another. starting to drive Signalling too soon can confuse rather than help - for example, when there are several sida roads wery close togather. Signalling too late can cause vehicles behind you to beaka hard or swerve. Watch out for situations which call for spacial timing in signaling. For axample, vwhan you signal to pull up on tha laft, make sure there isn’t a junction just before the place yau intend to stop. if you signal laft too soon, a driver waiting at that junction might think you intand to turn left. Delay signaling until you're in a position where your signal can't ba misunderstood.Unnecessary signals A signal might not be necessary where there is no ona to benefit from it, or whee the signal could confuse other road users. Consider whather a signal is necessary before * moving off * pulling up * passing stationary vehicles, whan you can postion early and maintain a steady coursa. Don't * signa carelessly * wave padostrians across the road « fal to check that tha signal is cancelled after your mavement is completed /misiead other road users. Always use the correct signal Arm signals Nowadays, arm signals are seldom used However, thara are occasions when you might need to use one, ‘Approaching zebra crossings — When yours is the leading vehicle, using an arm signal when slowing down or stopping can be helpful 6 This not only tells trafic behind you that you intend to stop, but also approaching traffic and waiting pedestrians, who can't sae your brake lights. Turning right — Use an arm signal when necessary © toemphasise a difficult right turn on a road carrying fast-moving traffic © totum right just after moving out to pass a stationary vehicla. Stopping — Usa tha ‘slowing dawn’ arm signal where any confusion to ather road users might be caused by a "left turn indicator signal Signalling with brake lights Brake in good time. If necessary, lightly prass tha brake pedal early or more than once, to show your brake lights to traffic behind you.If you're driving safely and anticipating correctly, you'll seldom need to use the hom, Only use it if you think other road users haven't seen you or cannot $66 you. Ona bind bend or narrow winding road, the horn might help pedestrians and other road users who cannot sea you coming. Warming others of your presence does nat religve you of the responsibilty to drive safely. Always drive with caution Don't sound your horn * toreprimand other drivers © aggressively ina built-up area between 11.20 pm and 7.00 am or while you'ra stationary at any time, unless a moving vehicla creates a danger. Flashing your headlights: Flashing the headights can be used in much the same way as the ham ta warm other road users that you're there. If you think a warning is necessary, flashing headlights can be particularly useful in situations where the horn might not be heard or at a time whan the horn should nat be used Avoid fashing your headlights to * instruct other drivers reprimand anather road user « intimidste a driver ahead Other drivers flashing the! headlights ‘Some drivers flash their headlights for a variaty of reasons, cluding inviting you to pass before them thanking you for your courtesy warming you of some fault with your vehicle telling you your headlights are dazzling them, When other drivers fash their headlights, don’t rely on what you think thay mean. Usa your own judgement; the signal might not mean what you think * might not be intended for you. Make sure you know their intention before you act on the signal. aMoving off at an angle Usa the same dri as for moving of straight ahead covered undar ‘Moving off’ [sae page 77), When making the routing safety checks and at the biting point ask yoursalf these questions: © At what angle should | mowa out? © How far will this take me into the road? Your dacision will depend on + how close you ara to tha vehicle or object in frant + how wide the vehicle ahasd is * oncoming traffic Your window pilar can obstruct your view ahead. Make sure there’s nothing in the: area hidden by this obstruction. Watch out for other vehicles behind and signal if necessary, than look ovar your right shoulder again release the parking beake as you easa the clutch pada up a little more. The vahicle will begin to move. Tight clutch control is needad, so keap tha clutch pada al or just above the biting point give yourself ima to complete tha amount of steering you naed to clear the vehicle in front release the clutch pedal smoathly when your vehicle is clear of the obstruction allow room for someone to opan a door, if you're steering around a vehicle * check your mirors move aut slowly, siraightan up, and be ready to brake; a pedestrian might stap out from the other side of the parked vehicle.Moving off on hills Moving off uphill ‘Your vehicle will want to roll back. To avoid this you must usa the acceleeator, clutch and parking brake tagathar. Much of the dill far moving off uphill is tha same as for moving off on the level. © With your Isft foot, press the clutch pedal down and hold it down, Mave tha gear lever into frst With your right foot, press the accelerator further than you would when starting on the level and hold it perfectly staachy. Tha amount wil depend on how steep tha hifi. Bring the clutch pedal up to the biting point, which wll be slightly higher than whan you're maving off an the level. Make your safety checks, use your mirrors and lock round over your right shoulder to check the bind spot. Decicla whethar you nead to signal your intention to mowe off Signal if necassary Lock round again if necassary. Lift the parking brake and release the button whila you press the accelerator ailitia moee. How much acceleration you need depends on the staspness of the hil. Let the clutch up a littla more, until you fae and hear tha angine trying to move tha vehicle. Roleasa tha parking brake smoothiy. Gradualy press the acoalerator as tha vohicle bagins to mova, and bring up the clutch padal smooth.Controlling the parking brake and clutch This requires good timing, lf you release the parking brake too sacn, the vehicle wil roll back. Tha vehicla will stall i you hold tha parking bralee too long ‘you bring up the clutch too quickly or too far you don't use encugh accalaration Practise the steps until you've mastered the technique. Then practise moving off uphill without roling backwards; from behind a parkad vehicle and at an angle Tha mora you practise this manoeuvre, the more competent you'll ba at getting it night.Moving off downhill Tha routing is simplar than moving off uphill because the waight of the vehicle helps you to move away. Tha aim is to pravant the vehicle from roling forward down the hil whilst maving away. Tha most effective, and possibly simplest, mathod is as follows: Press the clutch pedal down fully. Engage tha appropriate gear for the severity of tha slope (this could be second gest) Apply the foatbraka Please the parking brake, keeping tha footbrake appliod, Check mirrors. Look round just before you move off to cover the blind spots. Signal if nacassary. * Only move away when you're sure it safe to do so. Look round again if necessary: Aslease the foolbrake and release the clutch pedal smoathly as tha vehicla starts te move, However, thera may be other methods that canbe employed. If they ensure that tha manoeuvre is carried out under control, they are equally acceptable. 104TRAFFIC SIGNS This section covers ® The purpose of traffic signs ® Signs giving warning @ Signs giving orders ® Signs giving directions and other information Waiting restrictions Road markings Traffic lights Traffic calming Lavel crossings eooodThe purpose of traffic signs ‘Signs ara an esseniial part of any traffic system. Thay tal you about tha rulas you must abay and war you sbaut the hazards you may meat on the road ahead, Signs can be in the form of words or symbols on panels, road markings, beacons, bolards or traffic lights This section deals with the various types of trafic signs and ther meaning. What are the basic rules whan it comes to recognising signs? You'll recognise traffic signs more easly if you understand some basic rules. The shane and colour of ihe main groups ere Circular signs — These: give orders. Bue crcles tell you what you MUST do while signs with red rings tall you what you MUST NOT co. ‘Triangular signs - Thase wan you of something, such es a junction. To do its job, a sign must giva its massage clearly and early enough for you to sea i, understand it and then act safely on it. Symbols Symbols are used as much as possible because they're +more easily recognised and understood + mainly standardised, particularly thoughout Europa. Rectangular signs — These inform and give drections. Other shapes — There are afew exceptions to these nies to give greater prominence to some signs.Usually @ red triangle painting upwards, with a symbol or words on a white background, Thesa warm you of a hazard you might nat otherwise be able to recognise in tima, far exampla a band, hill or hump-back beidlgs The sign wil make clear what tha hazard is, You must decida what to do about i Narrowing roads - These tell you from which side the road is narrowing (sometimes both sides), and should wam you against overtaking until you hawe had 2 chance to assess the hazard Children and schools — Tha warning hare is: watch out for childran running out into the road, especially during schoo! arrival and leaving fimes. Look out for school crossing patrols. Low bridge sign — Even if your vehicle is low, watch out. An oncoming wehicle might Signs giving warning have to.usa the centre of the road to make use of any extra headroom there. Junctions - These tel you what type of junction is ahead: T-junction, crossroads, roundabout, staggated junction and so on. Tha priority through the junction is indicated ty the broader Ina. Sharp change of direction — Chavrons or roadside posts with reflectors may be usad vwshara the road changes direction sharply enough to create a hazard or to reinforca a bend warning sign where stronger emphasis is needed. Other hazards — If there's no special sign for a particular hazard, a genaral hazard warning sign is usad: a red triangle with an exclamation mark on a white background, it wil have a plata undaraath telling you what the hazard is, ag hidden dip,Signs giving orders Signs which give orders can be ‘Stop’ signs . neni Sa {hase tell you what Those are octagonal, with white lettering Jou aes on a red background, usually found at a * prohibitory signs; these tall you what junction with a Imited zone of vision. they you MUST NOT do, are always accompanied by a stop ine marked an the road. The line tels you haw far forward you should go before stopping Mandatory signs at the position fram which you look, assess Mostly circular signs with white symbols and decide if itis safa to procaad, and borders on a biva background, f ; examale pen a eeaenat What you MUST do at ‘Stop’ signs - © miné-roundabout . Stop ven if you can see the road ae Wait until ter the major road * turn left. until you can anter tha major without causing other drivers to change angi speed or direction. © “Stop - Children’ sign (lalipop} carried by school crossing patrol, This is circular with black lettering on a yellow background ‘Stop’ in white on a red background, often manualy controlled at roadworks “Stop’ and ‘Give Way’ signs appear at junctions and are vary important for everyone's guidance and safety:‘Give Way’ signs: ‘These consist of © a red triangla pointing downwards © black lettering on a white background. They ara always accompanied by road markings. However, some junctions only have the ‘give way’ lines. Thi is usually where there's relatively ltta trafic, "Give Way’ signs and/or road markings show you that traffic on the road you want to enter has priority. The double broken lines across tha road show you where to stop, if nacessary, to take your final look ‘What you must do at ‘Give Way’ signs © Give way to trafic already on the major road Dalgy entering tha major road until you can do so without causing any traffic already an the road to change speed of direction. As with the stop sign on the previous paga, this is the oniy sign that is a downwards- pointing triangle. This is to ensure that it can be recognised and abeyad, even iit is obscured, Prohibitory signs These tall you what you MUST NOT do. They ata easy to recognise by their circular shape and red border, The massage is ven by symbols, words or figures or @ combination of these. The exceptions are * No Entry sign (circular with white border and red background). * Bus Lane sign, Speed limit signs Ared circle with a number on a white background shows tha spesd limit Awhite cise with a black diagonal line cancels the previous speed limit, but you must nat exceed the national speed limit for the type of road you're on or tha vehicla you're driving. If you're driving a light van over 2 tonnes maximum laden waight, the rational speed limit for goods vehicles up to 7.5 tonnas maximum laden weight apples. A table showing the national speed limits for all roads and vehiclas can ba found con page 40 in the Istast edition of Tha Highway Cade. Repeater signs are a small form of tha coriginal speed limit sign which are fitted to lamp pasts to remind you of the speed limit In areas where thera ara regularly spaced sitreat lights, you should assume that the 30 mph (48 kervh) speed limit normaly applies, unless thera are repeater signs showing a different speed kit.Signs giving directions and other information Thase help you find and folow the road you want. They can also direct you to the nearest ralway station, car park, or other facilty or attraction. The coiours of these signs vary with the type of road. For example + motorways — blue with white letters and border * primary routes, except motorways - grean with white latlars and border, routa numbers. shown in yellow + other routes — whita with black latters and black oe blue border. All these roads may also display tourist signs, which are brown with white letters and border. PARK STREET Be a ad Ce aia | CREE iP) Walsham ANBS (3) Penderton Nutfield A183 Signs giving directions on primary routes ‘Advance direction signs - You will see these before you reach the junction. They enable you to dacida which diraction to take and to prepare yoursel. Direction signs at the junction — These show you tha way to take as you reach the junction, Route confirmatory signs. — Fosttioned aftar the junction, these confirm which road you're on. Thasa signs also tall you distancas and plaoas on your route. If the routs number is in brackets, it maans that the road leads to that route. Information signs ~ Thase tell you whara to find parking places, telephones, camping sites, etc, or give information about such things as peshrdgh reads, rr 150 >) 107Signs for traffic diversions. In an emeegency, where itis neoassary to close a section of motorway or other main road to traffic, 2 temporary sign may advise drivees to follow a diversion route. This route guides traffic around the closed section, bringing it back onto the same road further along its length. To help crivers navigate tha route black symbols on yolow patches may ba permanently displayed on existing direction signs, including motorway signs. A trigger sign wil intially alert road users to the closure, then the symbol is shawn alongside tha route that drivers should follow. number of different symbols may be used, as in soma places there may ba more than one diversion operating. Tha range of symbols usad is shown below. Riders and drivers should follow signs baaring the appropriate symbol. These may ba displayed on saparate signs, or included on direction signs, giving the number of the road to folow. calWaiting restrictions These are indicated by signs and road markings. Yallow lines along the road parallel to the kerb indicate that restrictions are in foc. Small yellow plates may be mounted on posts of lamp pasts nearby. These give more procise details of the restriction that applies. If there are double yallow ines painted on the road but no plates nearby, there is na waiting at any time, Controlled parking zones — in controlled parking zones, tha timas of operation af the zone vill ba showm on the entry signs. Yellow lines show where waiting is prohibitad or rastrictad, but yallow plates are not normally provided in thase zones. White bay markings and upright signs indicate where parking is alowed. Clearways — Soma areas and main roads are dasignated as No Stopping zones or Cleanways. This means no stogping an the main camiageway at any fina, not even to pick up or set down passengers. On Urban Cleanvays thera is no stopping during tha haurs of operation except for as long as neoassary to set down or pick up passengers. Loading and unloading ‘Loading’ is dafined as when a vehicle stops brielly to load or unload goods which are 80 heavy or bulky that it isn't easy to camry them any distance and may involve more than one trip. Picking up items that can be carriad, like shopping, doesn't constitute loading. You may ba allowed to load and unload in places where waiting is reslricted. Yellow markings on the kerb show that loading and unloading is prohibited, The times when this Is prohibited are shown on the nearby upright signs. Thera may also be spacial bays marked by broken white lines and the words ‘Loading only’ marked on the road and upright signs. Red routes On many roads in London, Red Route signs and red road markings have bean introduced to replaca tha yellow-line restrictions (see paga 224).Road markings Markings on the road give information, orders or warnings. They can be used either with signs on posts or on their own. Their aclvantages are they can often ba ssen when other signs are hiddan by traffic they can give @ continuing massage as you drive along the road. ‘As a general rule, the more paint, the more important the message. *Give way’ lines — Double broken white lines across your half of the road show that traffic on the road you want to enter has priority, The lines show where you should stop, if necessary, to take your final look. Thasa may also be found on a roundabout whara traffic on tha roundabout is required to give way ta those joining. single broken line is normally found at the entrance to @ roundabout. This tells you that trafic coming from your immediate right has priority and you MUST give way. Single ‘Stop’ lines — A single continuous line across your half of tha road shows whara you MUST stop * at junctions vith ‘Stop’ signs + at junctions controlled by polioa or trafic lights + at vel crossings + at swing bridges or ferries. 110 Lines along the road Double white lines ‘The most important of these are double white lines and thay hawe rulas for © overtaking * parking Overtaking — When tha lina nearest you is continuous, you MUST NOT cross or straddle it except when tha road is clear and you want to «© onter of leave a side road or entrance on the opposite side of the road «pass a stationary vehicle pass a road maintenance wahicle, padal cycle or horse moving at 10 mph (16 krvh) or less If there is not room to leave adequata space whan passing, you should wait for a safe opportunity. Do not try to squeeze past. if there's a broken white line on your side and a continuous white line on the other, you may cross both Ings ta overtalce. Make sura you can complete tha manoauvra afore reaching a solid Ina on your sid. Arrows on the road often warn that thera’s a double white Ina coming up. Don't begin to overtake when you see them, Parking — Gn a road marked with double white lines you MUST NOT stop or park, even if one of tha ines is broken. You may, however, stop for a moment to pick up or drop off passengers or to load or unload goods.Hatch markings There are dangerous areas where it is necassary to separate the streams af traffic completely, such as a sharp bend or hump, ‘or where traffic turning right needs protection. Thase areas are painted with white chevrons or agonal stripes and the tarmac areas between them may also be a difarant colour, eg rad In addition, remember where the boundary lina is solid, clo nat enter exogpt in an emergency where the boundary line is broken, you should not drive on the markings unlass you Can sae that itis safa to do so. Single broken lines Watch out for placas where tha single broken line dawn tha centre of the road gets longer. This shows a hazard ahead. Lane dividers: ‘Short broken white lings are used on wide carlageways to divide them into lanes. You should keep between them unless you are overtaking or tuming right Lanes for specific types of vehicle Bus and cycle lanes ara shown by signs and road markings. In soma one-way straets these vehicles are permitted to travel against the normal flaw of traffic. Thasa ara known as contraflow lanas. Bus lanes - Oni vehicles shown an the sign may use tha lane during the times of ‘operation, which are also shown on the sign. Outside those periods all vehicles can use tha bus lang. Whara there are no times shown, the bus lane is in operation for 24 hours a day. Don't pari or drive in bus lanes when thay are in operation. Cycle lanes — Don't drive or park in @ cycle lane marked by a solid white line during the times of operation shown on the signs. Ifthe cycle lane is marked by @ broken ling, don't drive or park init unless itis: unavoidable. If you park in a cycle lane at any time you make it very dangerous for any cyclist who is using that lana. 1High-occupancy vehicle lanes - You MUST NOT chive in these lanes during their period of operation unless your vehicle contains tha minimum number of peapia indicated on the sign. Reflective studs These are red on the left-hand sida of the road white on the lana or cantre-of-road lines amber on the right-hand edge af the carriageway on dual cariageways and motorways green between the cariagaway and lay-bys, side roads and slip roads. At road works, fluorescant grean/yallaw studs may be used to halp idantify the lanes in operation. Box junction markings Yellow criss-cross lines mari a bose junction. Thair purpose is ta keap the junction clear by preventing traffic from stopping in the path of crossing traffic, You MUST NOT anter a box junction unless your exit road is clear. But you can enter tha box when you want to turn right and you're only prevented from doing so by oncoming traffic. if there's a vehicle already on the junction waiting to tum right, you're free to enter behind it and wait to turn right ~ providing that you won't block any oncoming traffic wanting to tum right. If there are a number of vehicles waiting to tum, i's unikely you'll ba able to proceed before the traffic signals chang, 112Words on the road Words on the road surface usually hava a clear maaning such as ‘Stop’, "Slow", ‘Keep Clear’. When thay show a part of tha road is reaervad for certain vahicles, for example, buses, taxis or ambulances, don't park there. Schools. Yellow zigzags are oftan marked on the road outside schao's, along with the words "School - Kaap Clear’. Do nat stop fevan to set down of pick up childken) or park there The markings are to make sura that divers who ara passing the area and children who are crossing the road have a clear, unrestricted viaw of the crossing area. Destination markings Near a busy junction, lanes sometimes have dastination markings or road numbers on the road surface These enable crivers to gat into the correct lane early, even if advance direction road signs ara obscured by large vehicles. 14aThesa tall you which lane to take for the direction you want. Where the road is wide enough, you may find one arrow pointing in each direction « ‘eft in the left-hand lana «straight ahead in the centre lane right in the right-hand lana. Soma arrows might be combinad, dapending an how busy the junction is. If the road is only wide enough for two lanes, arrows might have two directions combinad «straight ahead and loft in the left-hand lana «straight ahead and right in tha right-hand lana. 1414 Loft. and right-tum arrows ara placed ‘well before a junction to help you get into the correct lane in good tima. They don't indicata the exact point at which you should tum. I's especially important to remember this at right turns. Raised yollow lines may be painted across the carriageway at tha approach to * roundabouts * reduced speed limits when entering a vilaga * particular hazards. The purpose of these lines is to make rivers awara of their spead after a period cof driving at higher speads. Reduce your spead in good time.Traffic lights Traffic lights have three lights which changa ina set cycle + red + red and amber * green * amber + ted What the colours mean + Red - stop and wait at the stop ina, + Red and amber — stop and wait. Don't go unti grean shows. + Greon — go if the way is clear. + Amber — stop, unless — you've akeady crossed the line — you're so close ta it that pulling up might causa an incident. Approaching green traffic lights. Approach trafic ights as you would any other junction. Keep your speed davin. Don't speed up to ‘beat the ights’. Be ready to stop, especially if the lights have bean graen for some tima Green filter arrow A green arrow in a traffic light means you cazvfiter in the direction the arrow is pointing, even if tha main light is not showing green. Don't enter this lane uniess you want to go in the direction shown by the amrow. When turning left or right at traffic lights take spacial care and give way to pedastrians akeady crossing. Use the MSM and PSL routines as you approach the lights. Pay attention to lane markings and gat into the carract lang in good time. Ba prepared to stop.Advance stop lines ‘At soma traffic lights there are advance stop lines to allow cyclists to position thamsalves ahead of ather traffic. When the lights are amber or red you should stop at the first white ling and avoid encroaching an the markad area, which is reserved for cyclists only. Howevar, if you hava crossed the first white lina at the time that the signal changes to red, you must stop at the second white line even if you are in the marked area. Allow the cyclists tima and space ta mave off whan the lights change {a green. In some areas there are bus advance areas, these should be treated in tha sama way as those provided for cycists. Special traffic lights ‘These are often used to control traffic where low-tlying aircraft pass over the road, or at swing or lfing bridges, or other special sites such as fire stations. Thay may either be + normal trafic lights (red, amber and green) — follow the normal rules double red flashing lights — stop when the red lights are flashing. 116 If traffic lights fail if the traffic lights fal, proceed with caution. Treat the situation as you would an unmarked junction, School crossing warning Two amber lights flashing alternately warn traffic of a school crossing paint ahead at soma busy locations, Keep your speed down and praceed with great careTraffic calming Traffic calming measures are used to encourage people to drive at a lower speed than they might otherwise do. They ara used in particularly sensitive araas where its considarad that a raductian in spaed would benefit tha immadiata community Various features can be provided to slow down the speed of trafic, such as * road humps © road narrowings, central islands and chicanes © miné-roundabouts 20 mph zones: Some trafic-calmed areas are indicated only by 8 20 mph (22 knvh} speed iit sign. This speed limit sign, in addition to achising the maximum speed limit, also indicates that thera may be trafic calming features. within the signed zone and thesa may not be individually signed. You should drive at a steady spoad within the speed limit, and avoid frequent acoolration and deceleration within thasa areas. Road humps These may be round or flat topped humps laid across the cariageway. Thay may be used on roads where thara isa speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) oF less. In some areas tha humps ara in the form of ‘cushions’ which only cover part of the lane and ara designed so that larger vehicles, espacially buses, can straddle them. If road humps ar cushions are pravided utside 20 mph (32 kmh) zones, there wil normally be «warming signs at the baginning of tha section of road where the hump or serias of humps are instaled triangle and edge line markings at each hump. 7Road narrowings Roars may be narrowed by the use of “build outs' on ona or both sides of the road. If these are provided outside 20 mph (82 kevh) zonas, thara will normally ba * warning signs indicating on which side of the road tha narrowing occurs * give vay road markings on one side of the road, accompanied by signs advising priority for encaming wehicles. IF these are on your side of tha road, you MUST shvays give way to drivers approaching from the ather direction. 118 If priority is not given in either direction, then all drivers should ensure that they can pass through the narrowing vithout endangering ohiclas approaching from tha other direction. You should nat accelerate as you approach the narrowing, but be prapared to slow down or give way to approaching traffic, Hold back and allow cyclists and motarcyclists roam to pass through; don't try to squeeze through at the sama time Mini-roundabouts Mini-roundabouts are offen used as part of traffic-calming schemas to break up a long road into shorter sections and allows trafic to join fram minor roads. Methods of dealing with mini-roundabouts are given on page 182traffic signs At alovel crossing, the road crosses railway lines. Aperoach and cross with care. Never + chive onto tha crossing unless tha road is lear on the ather sida, or drive over i ‘nose to tail’ + stop on or just aiter the crossing * park close to the crossing. Mast crossings have full or haff barriers, soma crossings have na gates or barriers, Ifyou stop at a leval crossing and your wit is likely to be mora than a few minutes, consider switching off your engine as this cari save fuel and cut down on pollution Railway talephonas — If thera is a telaphone you MUST use it to contact the signal or ta obtain permission to cross i + Griving a large or slow-moving vehicle one with limited ground claarance + heeding animals amember to talephone tha signal operator again once you're clear of the crossing. Crossings with lights - A steady amber light followed by twin flashing red lights wam of an approaching train. An audible alarm to warn pedestrians wil also sound once tha lights show. You MUST obey the lights’ signais Don't mave onto the crossing after tha lights show zigzag round half barriers stop on tha crossing i! the amiber ight o audible alarm starts ta operate ~ keep going if you're already on the crossing Ifthe train goes by and the red fights continus to fash, or the audible alarm changes tone, you MUST wait because another train is approaching. Crossings without lights - At crossings with no lights, stop when the gates or barriers bagin tOpen crossings: The sign in the shape of the cross shown in the illustration below is used at af level crossings without eithar gates or barnes. Crossings with lights - Automatic open level crossings have flashing road traffic signals and aucibla warnings simi to those on crossings with barriers. Crossings without lights — At an open crossing with no gates, barriars, attendant oF traffic signals, thera will be a ‘Give Way" sign. Lock both ways, listen and male sure theee’s no train coming before you eros. User-operated crossings Thesa crossings are normally private and should be used by authorised users and invited quasts only Crossings with signals - Soma crossings with gates or bamiers have Stop’ signs and small red and green lights. Do not cross whan the rad light is on bacause this means thal a train fs approaching. Cress only when the graen light is on. If you are crossing with a vehicle open the gates or barriars on both sides of the crossing check the green light is stil or and cross promptly close the gates or barriers when you're clear of the crossing. Crossings without signals — Some crossings have gates but no signals, At these crossings, stop, look both ways and listen and make sure that no train is approaching. If there's a ralhway telephone you MUST contact the signal operator ta make sure its safa to cross. Open tha gates on both sides of the crossing and check again that no train is coming before crossing promptly. Once you've clearad tha crossing closa both gates and, if there's a telaphone, inform the signal operator. Always giva way to trains — they can't stop easily.Incidents or breakdowns if your vehicle breaks down, or you're involvad in an incident on the crossing get everyone out of the vahicle and clear of the crossing if there’ a ralway telephone, use it immediately to inform the signal operator: follow any instructions youre given if there's time before a train arrives, mave tha vehicla clear of the crossing ‘You may ba able to do this by putting it in first gear and then using the starter motor. Baware of tha angina starting suddenly if the alarm sounds, or tha amber light comes on, get clear of the crossing at ‘once - the train will not be able to stop. Crossings for Trams (LRTs) Look for traffic signs which show where trams cross t Treat them in the same way as normal ralway crossings.ON THE ROAD This section covers © Awareness and anticipation Road positioning Bends Stopping distance Separation distance Overtaking Obstructions Pedestrian crossings Driving on hills Tunnels Trams or Light Rapid Transport (LRT) SystemsAwareness and anticipation In any trafic situation there are some things thal are obviously gaing to happen, as well as some things that might happen. ‘To anficipate is to take action when you expect something will or might happen. ‘You can anticipate what might happen by making early usa of the available information on the road. Ask yourself + What am | likaly to find? + What are other road! users trying to do? * Shou | spead up or shaw down? * Do! nged to stop? Changing conditions Traffic conditions changa constantly and you need to- * check and re-chack what's going on around you * ba alert all the time to changes in conditions, and think ahead. ‘The dagree ta which you need to anticipate varias according to thosa conditions. Difficult conditions You'l find it more dificult to decide what might happan whan ‘the light or the weather is poor * the traffic is heavy + the route is unfamiliar. Types of road Similarly, typas of road will affect how much you can anticipate. It easior in light traffic to anticipate what other drivers might do. It is more dificult on a busy singla carriageway, dual carriageway or motorway, where their options are graater. Driving ahead gad the road ahead to anticipata what might happan. You naed ta ba alert and observant at all times Assess the movernent of all ather road usees, including pedestrians, along the whole stratch of road on which you're travelling.Take in as much as possible of the react You should keep your eyes maving and © be able to observa the middle distance and far distance, as well as the area immediately in front © glance frequontly in the mirror to ssa what's happening in the area you've just passed © scan the area in your view. Observation if you're @ new driver, you'll land to give most of your attention to controling the vahicla, Practise reading the road. You don’t hava to be driving to do this. You can also do it-as @ passenger in a car or bus. Look cut for © other vehiclas and pedestrians © signals given by other drivers + road signs and markings the type and condition of the road surface large vehicles which sometimes naed extra spaca to manceunre, ag at roundabouts and other junctions movements of wehiclas wal ahaad of you, as well as those immadtately in front side roads or hills ahead. The building line may show these buses signaling to move out from bus stops. Clues Look out for clues to help you to act safaly and sensibly on what you sea. Watch smallar details in built-up areas ‘where traffic conditions changa rapidly. Observe the actions and reactions of other road users. Reflections in shop windows can often give important information where vision is restricted or when reversing into a parking space, 124pedestrian approaching a zebr: might step out into the read sconer than you think Taka care approaching parkad vehicles, especialy if someon is in tha diving seat Watch out for a driver stopping to sat dam or pick up a passanger. You may find they move off without warning or without cchacking in the mirrors or looking around, When following a bus, watch for passengers standing up inside: the bus wil probably stop shortly. Be aware — obsarving Is not just sacing How much you can ssa depends on how wel you can sae. ‘Your eyesight can change without you being aware of it. Have regular eyesight chacks, on the road Your ears can also warn of what's happening around you. At works entrances and schools you shoutd expect an increase in pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. Watch for vehicles picking up and setting down at school times ~ busas a3 well a3 cars. Sahoo! buses wil also bs picking up and setting down passengers where thare may nat be normal Bu stops. 125Emergency vehicles Look and listen for emergency vehicles. As well as tha normal emergency sarvicas ~ polica, fre and ambulance — certain others such as coastguard, bamb disposal, mountain rescue and the blood bansfusion sarvice may usa blue flashing lights. The police may aso use red flashing lights. Doctors on call may use green flashing lights. You should try to keep out of the way of any emergency vahicle. Chack where they are coming fram: behind {mirrors}, ahead of, more importantly, across your path Don't panic. Watch for the path of tha emergency vehicle and taka any reasonable — and jegal — action possible to try to help it get through. They will not expect you to break tha law, only make a reasonable and safe attempt to help clear the way for them so that they can do the reat Look well ahead and choose a sensible place to pul into the side of the road, but do nat endanger yourself or other road Users or risk damage ta your car. Try to avoid stopping bafora tha brow of a hill, a bend or a narrow section of road where tha emergency vehicle may have dificulty getting through, but don’t put yoursalf in a position whare you would ba brealding the lw, for example by crossing a red traffic light or using @ bus lane during its hours of operation © break the speed limit to get out of tha way risk damaging your tyres, wheels or staring by bumping up kerbs. Emergency vehicles are normally traveling quickly and itis important to clear their path to allow them to do so. However ambulances may naed ta traval slowly even if they have blue lights flashing becausa of treating a patient inside. In this case itis important for them to hava a smooth rida, so don't drive in a manner that would cause the ambulance to brake or swerve sharply. Driving in busy areas: When diving in busy areas, you should be especially alert to all tha possible hazards already mentioned. You should also be particularly aware of your speed and alvays drive at a speed appropriate ta the conditions Tha speed limit is the absoluta maximum and does nat always mean that it is safe for you to dive at that speed. Far exampla, in a narrow residantial street with cars parked on ether sida, you may nead to reduce your speed considerably.Road positioning ‘You should normaly keep to the leit whan diving in Great Britain. However, keap clear of parked vehicles, leaving rocm for + doors opening * vehicles moving of * children running out. Don't * drive too close to the kerb, particularly in streats crowded with pedestrians weave in and aut between parked vohicles. Is unnacessary and confusing to other drivers. When necessary, ease avar to the left to * help the flow of traffic * lata faster vehicle overtake. The correct position - You should always be in the corract position for the route you're going to take. + Kegp to the left if you're going straight ahead or tuming left + Keap as close to the centre of the rad as is safe whan you're turing right. ‘Your position is important not only for ssafaty, but also to alow the free flaw of trafic. A badly-positioned wehicle can hold up traffic in either direction, Keep to the centre of the saad F you are turning right One-way streets — Position your vehicle according to whethar you intend to go ahead, tum lefl, or tum right, To tum left, keep to the left-hand lane, To tum right, keep to the right-hand lana, provided there are no obstructions or parked vehicles on the right-hand side of the road you are in. To go ahead, ba guided by the road markings. lf thera is no specific lane for ahead select the most apprapriata lang, normally the left, in good time. Follow the road markings and get into tha correct lane as scan as possible and stay in this lane. Watch for crivers who may change lanas suddenly. Traffic in ona-way streets often flows trealy Watch out for vehicles coming past on either sida of you. 127Lane discipline You should always follow lana markings, which are there for two reasons. © Thay maka the best possible usa of red space. © Thay guide the traffic. Kosping to the lane markings is vital. Position yourself in good time — if you find you're in the wrong lang, don’t try to change by cutting across other drivers at the last moment. Cary an in your lane and find another way back to your route. Changing lanas.— Position your vehicle according to your roule. Aways check your mirrors and, if necessary, take a quick sideways glance to be sure that you won't force another road user to changa course of speed. When its safe to do 80, signal in good time and when leer, mova aut + Never weave from lane ta lane + Never straddle two lanes. + Never change lanes af the last minute. + Always stay in tha middle of your lana until you naed to change, In heavy and slow-moving traffic — Don't © change lanes suddenly * keep changing tanes «straddle lanes or lane markings © weave in and out © obstruct ‘Keep Clear’ markings. Check for these in congested, slow-moving tratic, eg at exits, for emergency vehicles. Allow for © padestrians crossing cyclists moving up tha nearside larga vehicles neading to stractdla lanas balora turning « motorcyclists fitering © doors apaning Driving ahead - Keep to the left-hand lane wharaver possible, Don't use the right-hand lane just because you'ta travelling at speed. On 2 carriagaway with four or more lanes, don't use the lanes an the right unlass signs co markings allow you to do 90. Peak time ‘tidal flow’ systams might permit or forbid use of thass lanes, dapanding on tha tima af day. Bus and cycle lanes - Thase are separate lanes shawn by signs and road markings. Do not enter thasa lanes uniess permitted by the signs, You will find more information on lane discipline under Section ‘41, which cowers driving cn matonways.Approaching a road nection Lock well ahead for signs and markings. If you have two lanes in your direction and + you intend to turn lef, stay in tha left- hand lana + you intend to go straight ahaad, stay in the left-hand lane unlass otherwise indicated * you intend to turn right, move to the right-hand lane in good time. Don't try to gain an advantage by using an incorrect lane. Trying to changa back to the proper lane at or near the junction is 3 risky business. on the road Hf you have thre Isnes in your direction and you intand to tum loft, stay in the left-hand lana * go straight ahead, take the left-hand lane (unless thera are left fir signe} or the middie lana, or ba guided by road markings tum right, take tha right-hand lane Slip read — Scma junctions also hava a sip road. Get into the left-hand lane in good tima before entering the slip road. You'll be able to stow down to turn left without halding up other trafic.Bends Dealing effectively and safely with bends demands that you lool: wel ahead and try to asseas accurately how savere the band is and at whal spead you need to be traveling to nagotiate it under contra You should exercise sound judgement and a defansive approach. Whera vision is restricted, ba prepared to meat * oncoming vahicles * obstructions such as broken-dovin or slow-moving vehicles * padestrians waking on your side of the road You should usa the footbraka to control your sneed on approach choose the right gear for the road sneed usa the accelerator carafuly steer to hold the corract ine through the bancPositioning bends Right-hand bend Left-hand bend Keep to the laft to improve your view of the ‘eae thw ira vin s road, but don't lat a clear view tempt you to joiltptiach, enter tha band at too great @ spaced, Don't mave to the centre of tha road to improve your viaw round the bend. This could put you feo close to oncoming traffic and a vehicle coming the othar way might be taking tha band wide, 134Speed That spead will dapend on the Judging the corract mad spaad as you = type and condition of the road approach bends and comers takas practioa © * ‘stiarpness of the bend andl seperienica. camber of tha road The correct speed is the ona which takes * Wslblity your vehicle around the bend under full * weather conditions, contral with the greatest eafaty for you, Camber - The camber of a road is tha angla at which the road normally slopes away from tha cantre to help drainage. your passangars and other road usars. Adverse camber - Here the road slopes downwards towards the outside of the comer and tha forces acting on your vahicis ‘could cause if to leave the road mare easily than on a normal comer. Banking - On a faw bends, such as some motorway slip roads, the outward fora may ba partly counteracted by banking. This is ‘where the road slopes upwards towards the outside of the bend.Adjusting your speed Don't go into a band too fast. if nacassary reduce speed before you enter tha bend, ‘You can reduce your spoad by taking your foot off the acoalerator and © allowing tha road speed to fall; or by © using the footbrake progressively and, if necessary, changing to a lower gear, ‘Your spaad should be at its lowast before you begin to turn Braking on a bend — Avoid beaking on a bend. This can maka your vehicle unstable Tha sharper tha bend, the more drastic tha effects of braking and the mora Bkely the vahicle is to skid. Hany braking is necassary, brake before the bend.Acceleration Don't confuss ‘using the accalarator’ with ‘accelerating’, which means going faster Whee dealing with bands ‘using the accelerator’ means using it just enough to driva the vehicla around the bend. The correct sneed at a comer or bend vill depend on @ number of things, including * how sharp itis whether theea is other trafic about. There are na hard and fast rules, and you wil hava to juciga * the correct position ** the propar spaed for the comer or band ‘ the gear most suitable for that spaed Tha secret of dealing with bends is to make sure that your speed is at its lowest before you start the turn you use the accelerator so that tha angine is doing just enough work to drive the vehicle round tha bend without going faster. Tao much acoaleration can cause tha wheels to lose their grip and skid, resulting in tha vehicle swinging off course. This is particularly true on rear-wheel drive vahicles, Only increase your speed after you have straightened 2s you leave the bend. Gears - Make sura you selact the carect gear before you enter the band, You naad both hands on tha steering wheel as you're turning.Steering Evary vahicle ‘handles’ cifferentiy. It's vary important that you get to know haw the vohicle you are driving behaves when you're steering round a bend ‘Some vehicles ‘understeer’. They respond less than you would expect in relation to the amount of steering you use Others ‘overstecr’. Thay respond more than you would expact in relation to the amount of steering you use. To ba abl ta negotiate a bend, corner or junction safaly, you must be able to judge how much steering to use. Load - Any changa in the oantra of gravity or weight the vehicla is carrying will afact its handling on bends, compared with whan it's lightly loaded. This. changa may be caused by * extra passengers * heavy objects in tha boot + objects on the roaf rack Tyre pressures — incorrect tyre pressures can also affect steering. Low pressura produces a heavier feel, and can causa the tyras to overheat. Low pressura and excess pressure can affect road holding and tyre wear Excess pressure can affect road holding on bends and increases the risk of skidding.Negotiating the bend Look ahead - Look wall ahead for any indications, such as road signs, warnings and road markings, which wil tel you * the type of bend * the direction tha road takes + how sharp the bend is + whother the bend Is one of a series. ‘Assess the situation - Ask yourself how dangerous does it som? Remember, the ward SLOW is usually painted on tha road for a good reason ara there likely to be obstructions on the band? For example, slow-moving vehicles or parked cars ara thera likely to ba pedestrians on your side of tha road? Is there a footpath? what's the camber lke? Remambar that ora right-hand bend an adverse camber could make your vehicle vear to the left. Look wel ahaad - ifs too late to find out in the mikdia of the band when your brakes can't help you. ‘Always crive so you can stop safely vaithin the limit of your vision. Take extra care where your view is rasticted. Approach with care — As you approach, follow tha MSM/PSL routine. Bafora you reach the band take up the best approach position for the type of bend * adjust your speed, if necessary, and selact the most suitable gear. Entering the bend — As you anter the bend, pprass the accelarator just enough ta keep the wheels gripping «the vehicle under full control After you begin to turn — Avoid braking, excapt in an emargency. AAs you round the bend — Kaep watching for hazards as the road unfolds and your vow improves Stopping on a bend — Avoid stopping an abend, except in an emergency. IF you have to stop, do 80 where following trafic can see you. This is especially important on left-hand bends, where vision can be mare limited. If you can, stop clear of a continuous centre lina and give clear vaening of any obstruction to other trafic. Use hazard warning fights and, if you have one, an advanca warning triangle (or any other permitted warming deviog, see page 286) A series of bends — Double and muttipla bends are almost always signed, Taka nata of © road signs © double white lines «arrows waming you to move to tha lat.For example, if the second bend followed closely after the frst and you haven't taken otic of the road sign or markings, you could find yourself speeding up when you should be slowing down. This can result in hasty replanning and loss of control On a winding road, usa your gears sensialy and selact the appropriate gear for the speed, This wil enable you to driva at a sala speed while keeping the right amount of load on the engine and the right amount of grip on the road. Bonds in serias often swing in alternate diractions. As soon as you have negotiated ona, you have to prepare for the next. Look well ahead for changes in the camiber of the road, which could affect your control. At night — On unfamiliar roads, tha lights of ‘oncoming traffic may help you to plan ahead, However, negotiating bends at night has its own hazards. Drive with extra cara * Be prepared for hazards around tha band * Be prepared to be allected by the lights of oncoming traffic, especially on right- hand bends. Don’t be taken by surprisa + Dip your headlights in advance tor oncoming tralfic approacting the bend, espacially on laft-hand bands. Drive defensively — Alvways bs on the lookout for other vehicles creating dangerous situations. Stay well clear of trouble, such as + a vohicla overtaking too close to a bend a vehicle approaching a bend toa fast oncoming vehicles straddling the centre ines oncoming vehicles skidding in bad weather a vehicle wailing to turn into 2 ccnoaalad entranceStopping distance Thisis the distance your vehicle travels * from the moment you redlise you must brake * totha momant the vehicle stops. ‘You need to leave enough space batween you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely fit slows dav or stops suddenly To do this, you must be able ta judge your overall stopping distance. Practise judging distanca while you're walking. Pick out something ahead and sae how far away itis. Ona good stride roughly equals a metre (or yard). Chack your estimata and try it out with other objects Stopping distance depends on © haw fast you're going whathar you're travelling on the level, uphill oF downhill the weather and the state of tha road the typa and age of your vehicle, normally older vehicles need a langer stopping distance the condition of your brakes and tyres your ability as a driver, especially your reaction times when applying the brakes. Stopping distance divides into © thinking distances © braking distance.Thinking distance This depends how quickly you react. i takes well over half a second for most people to react. If you're trad or unwell, it will take longer. you're driving at 20 mph (22 krnvh), you'll travel about 6 metres (20 fact) bafora your brakes even bagin to act; + at 30 mph (48 krvh), 9 metres (20 feat) * at 40 mph (64 krvh), 12 matres (40 feet) and 50 on. Braking distance This depends greatly on your sped and tha size and weight of your vehicle [thas even more ellect on the overall stopping distance. AL 20 mph, (22 kwh) good brakes wil stop your vehicle in about 6 matres (20 feet) on a dry road. At 40 mph (64 krivh], twica the spoad, they will taka 24 metres (80 feat) to stop - that's FOUR timas the cistance. You need to allow much mora time and room to brake in bad weather. On wat roads allow double the normal stopping distanea and tan times whara the roads aro icy. Also your tyres won't grip the road surface 50 wall * om loose road surfaces «if thara is any diesel spilt on the road. In thesa conditions alow much mora tima and room to brakeSeparation distance Fer to0 many road traffic incidents ara caused by crivars getting too ciosa to the vohicla in front It essential that every driver is able to judge a safe separation distance in all road, traffic and weather conditions. The safety of you and your passengers depends on it! How far should you keep fram the vehicle in front? Idsaly, you should be no closer than the overall stopping distanoa that corresponds to your spead, In heavy, slow-moving urban traffic that might not be practicabla, without wasting valuable road space. However, even then the gap should never ba lass than your thinking distanoa, and much more if tha road is wet and slippery. reasonable rule to apply in good dry conditions is @ gap of ona matra for each mph of your speed. For example, at 55 mph (86 kmh) a gap of 85 metres would be agpropriate. In bad conditions leava at least double tha distance, ‘A useful technique for judging ona matre par mpit is to use the ‘lwo-second rule’. The two-second rule In good dry condfions an alert driver, who is driving a vehicle with frst class tyres and brakes, neads ta be al least two seconds behind the vehicle in front. In bad conditions, double the safety gap to at least four seconds or evan mare. How to measure — Choosa an obvious stationary refarance pant ahead, such as a bridge, a tree or 3 road sign. When the vahicla ahead passes the object say to yourself, ‘only a foal breaks the twwo- second rula’. H you reach the object before you finish saying it, you're to0 clasa, Multiple collisions often happan because the drivers invoWved were driving too close and were unable to brake in time. You can avoid such incidents by locking well ahead and keeping yaur distance. Give yoursalf time to react. Defensive driving ~ When a vehicle behind is driving too close to you, ease off very gradually and increase tha gap between you and the vehiicl in front. This wall giva you more time to react if the driver ahead should slow down or stop suddenlyOvertaking Because overtaking can pul you on collision courss with traffic from the oppeeite direction, i's one of the major causes of road trafic incidents. Overtaking at the wrong time or in the wrong place is extremely dangerous. t's vital to choose your time and place caraluly. Before overtaking you must be certain you can ratumn to your sida of the road sataly without gatting in the way of * vahicles coming towards you © vahicles you're overtaking. Overtaking a moving vehicle Don't — overtake unless i's nacassary. For example, don’t rush to get past samiona only to tum aff shortly afterwards. Ask yoursaf if it's really necessary. If you decide itis, you naed to find a suitable placa. You MUST NOT overtake whare to do so would cause you to break tha lav, Details are shown in The Highway Code. In addition, some places are naver suitable. For exampla, DON'T overtake if your view ahead is blockad if other drivers might not ba abe to a9 yOu if thare’s too litt room «if the road narrows if you're approaching a junction if there's “aad ground!’ - a dip in the road which might hide an oncoming vahicle, Judging speed and distance The speed of the vehicle you're overtaking is very Important. When you're closing up behind a moving vehicle, it wil cover quite a distance before you can actually pass it and probably much more than you thinl. Ht could taka you quita a long time to overtake. For example, if you're doing 30 mph (48 knvhj, it could take a quarter of a mie (400 m) just to catch up with a vehicle 200 yards (180 mr) ahead which is traveling at as litte as 15 mph (24 km/h. On the other hand, if you're travelling at 85 mph (88.5 knvhl and an oncoming vohicla is doing the same, you're actually approaching each othar st 110 mph (177 km/h or 50 metres per second. Overtaking takas tima. The smaller tha differance between your speed and the spead of the vehicle you'ra overtaking, tha longer tha stretch of clear road you'l need. 144Defensive driving Never accelerate when someone is overtaking you. Be prepared to ease af if necessary, to help tham pass you. Overtaking large vehicles lf you are considering overtaking, you nead to keep well back to ansure that you © pot tha bast view of the road ahead * allow tha ckiver of the large vahicle to se2 you in thair mirrors. Remamber, if you can't 596 their mirrors, thay can't see you, Be especially aware thal left-hand dive lores hava differant blind spots to right-hand drive vehicles. Leave a good space while waiting to overtake. If anothar car fils tha gap, drop back again, IF you're thinking of overtaking, note whether the vehicle you intand to overtake is loaded or unloadad. The speed of large vehiclas varies greatty whan they're going up and down hills. A loaded vehicle might crawl slowly uphill and then pick up speed surprisingly quicidy on the dowinhil run Always ramembar these possible changes in spead when you're thinking of overtaking. Avoid driving alongside large vehicles, you may be in its blind spot and tha driver may rot be able to 538 you. Overtaking slow-moving vehicles There are savaral types of slow-moving vehicla which you may encounter on tha roads. Thasa inclida farm machinery, tractors, road works vahicles, refuse collection vahicles, etc. Mast wil have flashing amber beacons. Tractors and farm machinery will oftan pull in to tha loft whan itis safe, or if there is space to do 30, to lat a quaue of traffic pass. Howaver, they ara not always able todo 50. 142It can ba frustrating to be travelling bahind a slow-moving vehicle, but be patient. Wait unti the road ahead is cormpletely clear of oncoming traffic and you are sure itis both safa and legal to overtake. Remember alsa that thera may be workers in the road, for example, around road works vehicles or refuse collection trucks. Don't oweetake on the approach to bends, before the brow of a hill or where there are dips in the road ahead which could hide an oncoming vehicle. In rural areas, thera may also be hidden entrances to farm propertias from which vehicles may suddanly emerge. Only overtake if your viaw of the road ahead is completely clear and unobstructad, and you ara sure there's no oncoming traffic. Also check behind, to make sure no other vohicle is trying to overtake at the samie time. Leave plenty of room when overtaking and allow plenty of time for your manoeuvre. Some vahicles, especially those towing farm machinary, may be wider or longer than expected, Overtaking on a hill Uphill - Give yourssif tima and room to return to your side of the road well before the brow of the hil. Your zone of vision will get shorter 2s you approach the brow of the hil. Don't forget that oncoming vehicles wil ba traveling faster and could be on top oof you wery quickly. Downhill - Its mara ciffcutt to slow down whan going dowmhil. |f you overtake gong downhil, you may find yourself traveling faster than you intandad. Be careful not to lose control of your vehicla, Overtaking on long hills — On some long hills, double white lines divide the road so that there are two lanas for trafic going uphill, but only one downhill. Hf the fing is broken on the downhill side, this means you can overtake going downhill if it's safa to do so. Overtaking on three-lane roads Some roads are divided into three lanes, where the middle lana can be used for ‘overtaking in either direction. These roads can be particularly dangarous. Batore overtaking, you must make sure the road is clear far enough ahead. If in doubl, wait. Some thres-lane roads have double white lines marked on the road to allow vehicles traveling uphill to overtake Before overtaking Many danger spots are marked with double white Ings along the road. Look out for grows warning you to move over to the left as you are approaching thase areas Junction signs and hatch markings in the midde of tha road are warnings not to overtake, Ba ready to hold back in case trafic is waiting to tum right or slowing to tum leftWatch the vehicle in front - Before overtaking, decide what the driver in front is likely to do by watching both tham and the road ahead for a whila. Thay might © decide to overtake © continue to drive at the speed of the vahicle ahead of them « intend to tum off soon * hava seen somathing shead which you haven't. Vehicles turning right - Research has shown that most overtaking incidents are caused by the avartaking drivar hitting a vahicla which is turing right. To avoid this type of collision you should © consciously chack the indicators of tha vahicle you are about to overtake assume that @ wehicle that is slowing down is about to tum. Following through — Never automatically follow an overtaking vehicle without being able to sea for yourself that the way is clear. The wahicle in front obscures your view and hides you from the view of oncoming traffic. Always make your own decisions about overtaking based nat only on what you see but also on what you know. Be patient, if in doubt, hold back. There Tight not be enough time for both of you to overtake at once. Defensive driving Keap well back from any vehicle which is too close to tha vehicle in front and swinging in and out. Ba patient, in case they do something hasty. Steps to overtaking To overtake, you might have to use some cr all of thasa steps saveral times before the right moment arrves. For example, if someone averlakas you just as you're about to overtake you'll need to start al over again. Mirrors — Always check in your mirrors to assess the speed and position of trafic bahind. Position — Be near anough to the wehicle ahead to overtake smoothly when you're ready, but not so close that you can't gat @ good viaw of the road ahead. Speed — Be fast enough to keap up with the vehicle in front and with enough rasarve power to pass it briskly. ‘You might need to changa dawn to gat extra acceleration when you're ready’ to start overtakingLook - Assess the whole situation ‘* the state of the road what the driver ahead is doing or might ba about to do * any hazards the speed and position of oncoming vehicles spead difference betwean you and oncoming vehicles. Mirrors - Check your mirrors again to reassess tha situation. Check especially for motorcyclists as they approach vary quickly and may have been hidden from view previously. Be aware of, and check, any blind spots by taking & quick sideways glance if necessary betore deciding to pull out to owertake. Never bagin fo overtake if another vehicle is overtaking you or is about ta do so. Overtake only when you are sura its safe todo so. Signal — Always give a signal. This helps + drivers behind + the driver you are overtaking + Grivees coming towards you. Manoeuvre - Make a final check in front and behind. If its safe, pull cut on a smooth easy fing, than + overtake as quickly as you can + check your mirrors ta sea that you're lear of the vehicls you've overtaken + move back to the lett again on a smoath, eaay lina, but avoid cutting in. Allow plenty of room — When overtaking cyciisls, motorcycists or horse riders, give them plenty of room ~ move out as far as you would if you were overtaking a cat Nevar attempt to overtake them just bafora you turn left or f you would hava to stop or slow down soon after. I they’ look over thair shoulder it auld mean that they Intend to pull out, tum right or change diraction, give them time and space to do so. Overtaking on the left ‘You should never overtake on the left unless * the vehicle in front is signaling to turn right, and you can safely overtake on the left. Take cara if thera is a road to the left; oncoming traffic turning right inta it may be hidden bby the vehicle you're overtaking traffic is moving stowly in quauas, and vohiclas in the lana on your right are moving more siowly than you are.Passing on the left In addition, you ean go past on the inside of slower traffic when * you're ina one-way sbeet (but not a dual carriageway) where vahicles ara allowed to pass on eithar side you're in the correct lane to turn laft at a junction. Overtaking on dual carrlageways Overtake only if you'ta sure you can da s0 safely. You should normally stay in the left-hand lane and only usa the right-hand lane for overtaking or tuming right, If you use the right-hand lana for overtaking, you should move back to the left-hand lana as s00n as it i safa to do so. Plan wall ahead and use the appropriate parts of the MSMVPSL routine, Far exampla M = Mirrors — Look in your mirors to -assass the speed and position of following trafic. On a high-speed dual camlageway, start tha mirror chacks much earliar. P - Position - Xeap well back from the vehicle you're going to avertaka. You shouid change lanes gradually without any sudden movement. S - Speed — Make sura you have enough speed in rasarve to overtake briskly ‘without breaking any speed limits, L = Look - Look ahead and assess © the condition of the road what the vehicle ahead is doing any hazards. M- Minors — Check your mirrors again to reassess the situation, chacking especialy for motoreycists as thay can approach vary quickiy. Don't bagin to overtake if anathar vehicla is abaut to overtake you. 5 - Signal — Always give a signal, even when there's no one bahind, This can halp tha driver you're overtaking and other drivers furthar ahead. M - Manoeuvre ~ Make a final check ahead, bahind and to the side. [fits safe, change lanas gradually on a smooth easy line Overtake briskly, then chack your mirrors again. Maka sure you're well clear of tha vehicle you've overtaken bafora maving back to the left. Don’t cut in. Overtaking on the left — You must not overtake on the left unless traffic is moving slowly in queues, and the queus on your right is moving more siowdy than you. Nevar move to a lane on your left to owertake. Defensive driving Ba considerate. Don't block wahiclas traveling faster than you which might want to overtake, even if they are breaking tha spoad limit.Obstructions The secrat of daaling with any obstruction lies in Joking and planning well ahead, combined with early and sensible usa of the MSM/PSL rutin Tha dacision to wait or go on will dapend on + the typa and width of road * whether the obstruction is on — your side of tha road — the other sids of tha road — bath sides of tha road * whether there is approaching traffic * the room available 4s a general nu, ifthe obstruction is on your side of the road, approaching traffic wil have priority, Don't assume that you have priority # the ‘obstruction is on tha other side of the roacl. Always ba prepared to give way. Procedure Lock well ahead to identify the obstruction in good tima before using the routine. M- Check your mirrors to assess the spead and position of follawing traffic. S - Signal if necessary. P— Decide on your position. Avoid keeping too far in to the leit so that you have to stor past the obstruction af the last minute; @ gradual change of course is raquired. If you have to stop and wait, kaep wall back from tha cstruction in @ position thal not only keeps your zone of vision open but also doesn’t impede tha approaching traffic. S— Adiust your snsed as necessary. This will depend cn tha situation, but aim to reguiate your speed to take a smooth and steady coursa without stopping L- Finally, look and assess the situation before you decida whether it's: # necessary to wait * safe to proceed. 147Obstructions on hills Thasa need special care. Give yoursedf an extra safety margin and brake earier than normal, when necessary: IF you're travaling downhill and the obstruction is on tha athee side of the road, don't take your pricvity for granted. if i's sale, ba prepared ta let ather trafic, especialy heavy vehicles, coming uphill hava a clear run. Your consideration will be appreciated. Roadworks Thasa areas cbviously make the usabla width of road much narrower, and can either be controlled by temporary trafic lights or workers with stop/go boards. Obey all ights and signs and stow down, especialy whera thare are workers who may ba walking around on the road nearby Mora information on negotiating roadworks. areas and contraflaw systems can be found in saction 14 Defensive driving Don't follow through bahind the vehicle in front without being able to sea for yourself that the way is clear ahead. Koap a safe distanca from the obstruction and the approaching traffic. Where space is Imited, raduce speed and take: extra, care. The smallar the gap, the lower your speed naads to be.Pedestrian crossings People on foot hava certain rights of way at pedestrian crossings, but are safe only if drivers folow the rulas and do the right thing The driver and crossings ‘Some nukes and advica apply to all types of ‘crossing. © You must not park — ona crossing; this blocks the way for padastrians — within tha area marked by zigzag lines; this cbstructs both tha pedestrian’s view of approaching vehicles and an approaching driver's view of the crossing + You must not overtake — the moving motor vehicle naarest a crossing — the leading vehicle which has stopped to give way to a pedestrian + Even ff thera ara no zigzag lines, nawer overtake just before a crossing. + Give yourself more fime to stop if the road is wet or icy. + Keep crossings clear whan quauaing in ‘rallic, stopping befora the crassing if you can sea that you won't be abla to clear it You should take avira care where tha view of either sida of a crossing is blocked by queueing traffic. Pedastrians may be crossing between these vehicles, incoractly thinking they have stopped ta allow pedestrians to cross. Always allow pedestrians plenty of time to cross, espacialy f thay are elderly or disabled, and do not harass tham by revving your engina or edging forward. Watch out for pedestrians who try to rush across at the lest minuta. ‘Also on all signal controlled crossings you should * give way to anyone stil on the crossing evan if the signal for vehicles has changed to green + proceed with endrema caution if the signals are not working. In addition there are extra rules for different types of crossingZebra crossings are identified by flashing yallow beacons an both sides of the road and black and white stripes on the crossing. They also have white zigzag markings on both sides of the crossing and a. give way line about a matre from the crossing, which marks the placa for drivers to stop when nacassary. Where padestrians are waiting on the pavement at a zebra crossing and obviously want to cross, slawe down and stop to lat them crass. You should stop if you can do so safely, especialy ifanyoneis waiting on tha pavement with a pram or pushchair « fchildren or the eldlarty ata hesitating to cross bacause of heavy trafic. a aware aso of pedestrians approaching the crossing who may suddenty start to mova onto the crossing, be ready to stop for them, You must give way to anyone who © isakeady crossing * has stepped onte the crossing. Don't wave peopla across. There could be another vehicle coming in the other direction and you can't be sure what other drivers might do.Pelican crossings These are light-controlled crossings where the podestrian uses push-button controls to control the traffic, They have no rad-and- amber before tha green. instead thay have a flashing amber light, which means you must giva way to pedestrians on the crossing but i i's clear you can go on. The crossing area is shown by studs and a stop lina marks the place for drivers to stop whan itis necessary. Polcan crossings may be «straight — a pelican crossing which goos straight across tha road is one crossing, evan if there is a central refuga. You must wait for people coming from the other side of tha refuge. «staggered — if tha crossings on each sida of the cantral refuge are not in line, the crossings ara separate. Puffin crossings Thase are user-friendly inteligent crossings where electronic devices automatically detect whan pedestrians ae an the crossing and delay the green light until the pedastrians have reached a position of sataty. Unnecessary delays in traffic flow are reduced because electronic davices automaticaly detect when pedestrians ara ‘on the crossing ifthe pedestrians cross quiclly, the padastrian phase is shortaned. ifthe pedestrians have crossad the road bafore the phase starts it will automatically be cancelled. Tha light sequence at these crossings is the sama as at traffic ights. Toucan crossings Thase are shared by pedastrians and cyclists. Cycists ara permitted to cycle across Tha light sequence at these crossings is the sama as at traffic ights. Equestrian crossings Thase are for horse ridars and may be alongside those for pedestrians and cyclists. They have wider crossing areas, pavement barriers and either one or two sats af controls, one being set at a higher position. 151Watch out for these patrols and cbey their signals ‘At particularly dangerous locations, two amber lights flashing alternately give advance werning of the crossing point. Don't overtake when you're approaching a achool crossing and always kaep your spead down so you're ready to slow down oF stop, if necessary. 152 Always look well ahead to identify padastrian crossings early: Look for tha flgshing yellow beacons, traffic lights, zigzag markings, etc. Use the MSM routine and keep your spaed down Braka lights cannot be saen by tha Padastrians at tha crossings o¢ oncoming trafic, so if you're the leading vehicle you should consider using an arm signal when you're slowing or stopping.Driving on hills You need to understand how driving uphill Look for signs — You'l see warning signs and downhill can affect your control of the telling you how steap tha upward slape vehicle. is. The figures maasura the gracfent in © Going uphil, your engine has to use percentage terms: 259 (1:4) means for more pawer to pull tha vehicle up the hill, °¥8ry four feet along (harizonta) the road rises. cna foot (vertical * Going downhill, your enging is helpad by tho weight of tha vehicb, The higher the percentage or the lower the second figure, the steepar the hill In each case, the effect on the controls is dlifforent from driving cn the level You may see another rectangular sign telling you tha length of the hill and further information. Going uphill When going uphill * you'll find it more difficult to maintain or increase spaed. The engine has to work harder to make the vehicle go faster * your brakes will slow the wehicls down quicker ‘you might nead to change to a ower gear to maintain your speed. If you release the accolerator or daclutch (push | Watch out for slow-moving heavy vehicles. the clutch padal down), your speed will 6 drop more quicidy than it would on the level, Changing to a lower gear should be O dona without hesitation, so you don’t lose too much spead © remember to apply the parking brake bafore you release tha footbrake whan stopping, otharwisa you might roll back,‘Assoss the hill - if the hil is very steep, think ahead and consider changing toa lowar gear. If you do need to change gear, make sure you do 50 in good time. Don't stay in high gear to try to keap your speed up. Your vahicle wil climb batter in a low ger. Separation distance — Keap wel back from the vehicle ahaadl Ifyou don’t hold back and the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops, you may have to brake harshly. * Holding back may enable you to keep going gently while the vahicle ahead regains speed. This is not only safer, but it-can also help to avoid congastion. Overtaking - it's sometimes more difficult to overtake uphill. You'll find oncoming traffic is travelling at a grealer speed and is less able to slow down or stop quickty if necessary. On 3 dual cariageway, overtaking Is easier because there's no danger from oncoming traffic. Here you should keap a lookout for others following behind you wha can overtake with easa. Don’t block their progress. Going downhill When gaing downtill you'll find it more difficult to slow dawn and the brakes have less affact its harder for the engine to hold the vohicla back. In higher gears it won't do soal all the vehicle runs faster if you declutch (dutch coasting) avoid braking on a band got into a lowar gear in good time, particularly f there's a bend ahead usa the correct combination of lower gear and careful use of the foatbrake to keap control of yaur speed. Note Avoid the danger of increasing spaed caused by coasting, either out of gaar or with tha clutch pedal depressed Look for signs — Tha steep hill (downwards) warning sign wll give you the gradiant of the downward slope.‘You might also see a rectangular sign advising usa of a low gear. Always cbey these signs. The staepar the hill the lower the gear. Assess the hill - Uso the sign to halp you think ahead. if the route is unfamiliar, or a bend limits your view of the road, change down bafora you bagin ta dascand. Chang smoothly and without hesitation. Separation distance — Ahvays keep the correct separation distanea from the wehicle ahead HFyou don't hold back and the wehicle ahead suddenly slows down or stops, you'll have to brake wery hard. The ctivar behind wil gat very little warming. you hold back, you'll have time to reduoa your sneed more gently. Adjust your speed ~ On stegp hils, you’l normally need to reduce speed. Change down toa lower gear to give yoursall mare braking power and cantral By selecting a lower gear, you should ba abla to avod using your brakes too much. Excessive braking on hills can result in ‘brake fade’ and loss of control. Brake fade is a loss of braking power caused by the heat generstad by continuous use af the brakes Lock for ‘escape lanes" which are dasignad to stop runaway vahicles. Overtaking — It's only safe to overtake downhill where there are no bends or junctions * your view of the road ahead is clear. ‘You should be absolutely certain that you can overtake without causing oncoming trafic to slow down or changa course. Famember that the vahicle you'ra ‘overtaking may build up speed, and you'll find it mora difficult to slow down for oncoming traffic. They'll find it mora difficult to get out of your way. Lock aut for road markings, especially continuous white lines along the cantre of the road,Hills in towns Take particular care in towns where tha elderly and the very young are crossing at Junctions on his. Traffic speeds ara generally lower and vohiclas closar together. As a result your zone of vision wil oftan be that much poorer. Pay attention to the type of vehicle ahead of you and your distanoa fram that vahicle ‘You'l find traffic ights, school crossing patrols and pedestrian crossings ara sometimes situated on a hill. Where this is the casa it adds to the importance of using your mirrors recognising the sort of vahicle ahead leaving a suitable gap when you stop using your parking brake effectively making sure you're in the right gear for the situation. You'l be doing these things in towns already, but on hills they have additional importance,When approaching a tunnal switch on your dipped headlights do not wear sunglasses observe the road signs and signals keep an appropriate distanoa from the vehicle in front switch on your radio and tune in to the indicated frequency. Many tunnels, particularly the longer ones in Europe, ae equipped with radio transmitters so that drivers can ba warned of any incidents, congestion ar roadworks When driving through the tunnel, your sisbilty will be suddenly reduced. Ba prapared for this change in conditions and make sure that you drive so that you can stop within the distanos you can see to be clear, increasing the distance between you and the car in front if necessary. Hf the tunnel is congestad + switch on your waming lights * keep your distance, even if you ara moving slowly. If you hava to stop, leave at least a five-matre gap between you and tha vehicle in front if possible, istan out for messages on the radio follow any instructions given by tunnel officials or variable messape signs. For action to take in the avent of a breakdown or incident, see page 303.Trams or LRT LAT (Light Rapid Transil) systems, or ‘Metros’ are baing intradkiced in many large towns and cities to provide a more efficiant and ervironmantally-irianally form of public transport. Tram systems are common throughout Europe and there are plans to introduce them fo more cits in tha UK Trams may operate completely saparataly from other traffic or they may run on roads open to other trafic. As they run on rails, they are fixed in the raute they follow and cannot manoeuvre around other road users. The vehicles may run singly or as multiple units, and may be up to 60 metres (about 200 feet) long. The area occupiad by a tram is marked by paving ce markings on the road surface This ‘swept path’ must always be kept clear. Anticipate wel ahead and never stop on oF across tha tracks or markings. Take eqira cara when you first encounter trams until you're accustomed to dealing wath the different traffic system, Crossing points Deal with these in exactly the same way 23 normal railvaay crossings. ‘Also bear in mind tha sneed and ailont approach af trams. systems Reserved areas Drivers must not enter ‘teservad areas’ for the trams, which are markad with white line markings, a different type of surlaca, or both. The resarved areas are usually one-way, but may sometimes be two-way. Hazards The steal rails can ba slippery whether it's wet or dry. Try to avoid diving on the rails and take extra care when braking or tuming con them, to avoid the risk of skidding. Take cara also where * the tracks run close to the kerb to pick up oF set down passengers * the lines mave from one side of the road to the other. ‘Tram stops Where a tram stops al a platform, either in the miidla or at the side of the road, follow the raute shown by road signs and markings. if there is no passing lana signed, \wait behind the tram untl it mowes off At stops without platforms, do not drive botween a tram and the left-hand kerb \when a tram has stopped to pick up or set dawn passengers,Warning signs/signals Obey all waming signs or signals controlling trafic. Where there ara no signals, aways gwe way to trams. Diamond-shaped signs or white light signals ge instructions to tram drivers only. Do * watch out for additional pedestrian crossings where passengers wil be getting on and off the trams. You must stop for them make allowance for other road users who may nat be familiar with tram systems * be especialy aware of the problems of cyciists, motorcydiists and moped riders. Thair narrow tyres can put tham at risk whan thay come into contact with the rails Don't tty to race a tram where there isn't enough road space for both vehicles sida by side; remamber the end af the vehicle swings out on bands © overtake at tram stops drive betwean platforms at tramway stations. Folow the direction signs park 0 that your vehicle obstructs the trams or wauld force other drivers to do so. Remember that a tram can’t steer round an obstruction. 159JUNCTIONS This section covers ° ° o ° e Approaching a junction The junction routine Turning Emerging Lanes at junctions Types of junction Junctions on hills Junctions on dual carriageways RoundaboutsApproaching a junction A junctions a point where two or more roads mest. Junctions are hazards where thera is a greater risk of an incident occurring. Treat tham with great cara, no matter how aasy thay look. Advance Information Look for information about the junction ahead, and tha lavel of difficulty, such as. * the type of junction the amount of traffic waming signs road markings direction signs ‘Giva way’ and ‘Stop’ signs traffic lights a breait in the line of buildings. changes in road surface, Options at Junctions How you approach a junction depends on what you intend to do. You might want to * cross a major road going ahead jon a major road by turing right o left leave a major road by turning right or Jaft into a minor road stay on a major road and pass the junction. A major road is one with priority over another af a junction Priority Usually, road signs and markings indicate priority. Whara no priority is shown at a junction, take extra care, 161The junction routine ‘At every junction usa the MSNVPSL routine, M— check in your mifrors to assass the speed and position of vehicles bahind. S— signal cloarly and in good time M— manoauvra - use PSL. P— position your vehicle correctly and in good time. Early positioning lets ather road usars know what you are going todo. S— adjust your spoad as nacessary L— look for other traffic when you reach a point fram which you can sae Assess the situation # Decide to go or wait * Act accordingly. Ifthe road has lane markings Use the correct lane for the direction you intend to take, and move into it as soon as you can Defensive driving — Take axtra cara if your path crossas or joins the path of othar road users. Check your mirces, particularly for cyclists and motorcyclists. when turing at junctions. They can approach very quicidy from behind and are less easy to see than a larger vehicle,Turning Turning left Use the MSMPSL routine on appmach Road position - Your road position should be well to tha laft, the naarside of your vohicle about 1 metre (3 fact) from the karb. Speed on approach — Lefl turns into minor roads are often sharpar than right tums. Make sure you + slow down sufficiently + select the correct gear or you could swing wide of the comer and finish up on tha wrong side of the road. Other vehicles -- Watch out for vehicles: + stopping to park, or parked, just before a left-hand junction * parked just around the corner * approaching in the side road. Pedestrians and cyclists — You should give Way to pedestrians already crossing when you turn — they have priority keep a special lookout for cyclists coming up an your laft take spacial care when crossing a cycle track, bus or cycle lane hold back and allow a cyclist to clear the junction bafora you tur, don't overtalee and then cut in on them. Avoid steering too early or too sharply: @ rear wheel might mount the kerb. After the tum — «I's safe to do so, spoad up as you leave the junction. * Check in your mirrors so you know what's following you on the naw road, + Make sure your signal has cancelled.Turning right Use the MSM/PBL routine on approach, Road position © Mowe into position early when turning Tight, It helps other drivers. Position yourself as close to the centra of the road as is safe, so that vehicles can pass on your laft if there's room, Take into account ary parked vohiclas of obstructions on the right-hand side of the road Ina one-way straet move to the right- hand sida of the rad whan appropriate. Speed of approach © Adjust your spoad as necassary. © Approach at a safe speed Oncoming traffic Watch out for oncoming traffic, especially motorcycles and bicycles which are less easily seen. © Walch particularly for vehicles overtaking oncoming trafic. © Stop before you tum if you have any doubt about being abla to cross safely. Emerging vehicles © Watch for vehicles waiting to amerge from the minor road Pedestrians © Give way to padastrians ateady crossing the minor road. Thay hava priority. Obstructions + Look carefully for anything that coulki pravent you entering the minor road safely and leava you exposad on tha wrong side of the road, risking a serous incident, * You MUST NOT cross to the other side of the cantra line until you ate sure you can enter the minor road safaly Turning Check your mirrors for overtaking traffic: cone final fima befoea you tum. Don't * cut tha comer * accelerate fiercely. Your engine should be just pulling as you tum. Missed turn Ifyou miss a turing, don’t cause a problem by stopping suddenly. Go past the junction and tum round st the next opportunity.Emerging “Emarging’ is when a vehicle leaves a minar road to join, cross of turn into 2 major road. ‘You'll have to judge tha speed and cistanca of any traffic on the road you intend to join or cross, and only emerga whan its safe to do so, This neads cara and sometimes patience as wel. Assess the junction. Check road signs and markings and use the MSM/PSL routing. ‘Give Way’ sign or lines — A ‘Give Way’ sign and ines across tha road means that you must give way to traffic which is aleacly on the road you intend to entar: you can emerge without causing drivers or ridees on that road ta alter speed or course, you can do so withaut stopping. Otherwise, you must stop. ‘Stop’ sign — You must always stop at a Stop’ sign, no matter what traffic is lke on the road you intend to entar. Mave aff only when + you have a clear view «you're sure ifs safe. Junctions without signs or road markings Treat these with great care. Don't assume you have priority at an unmarked junction. MSM/PSL routine M— Look in your mirrors to assess what's bahind, S — Signal left or right, as appropriate, in good time, M— Manoeuvre - use PSL. P— When turing loft, keap wall to the left, about 1 matre (3 feel) fram the kerb. ‘When turning right, position yourself in good tima a5 closa to tha centre of the road as is sale. In a one-way streat move to tha right-hand side of the road. S — Reduce spaed. Ba prepared to stap; you must give way to trafic on a major road L— Look in all directions at the earliest point from which you can see clearly Keep looking as you stow down or stop, if necessary, until you're sure i's safe to enter tha major toad.Other traffic Bands and his could maka it more clificult to see traffic coming towards you Ifthe vehicle approaching from your right is signaling to tum loft into your read, wait unti you're sure the vehicle is turning and nat just pulling up on the left beyond your road Motorcyclists are espacially vulnerabla at junctions. Look out for tham * coming from behind as you approach the junction ‘ travaling along the road you are joining, they can be vary difficult to see. When to go You have to decide when to wait and when its safa to go. That decision depends largely on your zona of vision. Your zone of vision is what you can see from your vehicle. Itis determined by © buildings and hedges bands in tha road or contours in the land © moving and parkad vehicles available light and the weather. As you approach a junction, your zane of vision on to the other road usually improves. Tha last few feet are critical. You can only decide whather to wait or go on when you have put yourself in a position whara you can see clearly.Watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists, powerad wheelchars/mobifly scooters and pedestrians as thay are not always easy to see. Sometimes parked vehicles interfare with your zone of vision so that you hava to inch carefully forward to sae mora, lf another vohicle of @ pedestrian Is not in your zona of vision, you're not usually in theirs. Locking means that you need to assess the situation, dacida whether it's safe and act accordingly. An aporoaching vehicle, particularly a bus or lorry, can easily mask another moving vahicle which may be avarlaking. Watch out particularly for motoreyclists whan emerging, thay can ba especially difficult to sae being smaller than othar vohicles but approaching just as fast. They ca very easily be masked by another vohicle, aspecialy i they are overtaking After merging — + Speed up to a safo speed for the road and conditions as soon as possibio. Usa your minors to check tha speed and position of traffic behind. + Make sure your indicator is cancalled. Koop a safe distance from the vahicle in front Don't attempt to overtake until you've had time to assess the new road. When turning right, aven though thara might be litte trafic approaching from the right, don't ba tempted fa mave out and drive down the centra of the road hoping to fit into.a gap in the traffic. If tha road arrows, oF if there are junctions or bollards, you wil have nowhara to go. Defensive driving — When turing left or Tight into @ major road, it takes tima to completa the steering manoauvre safely ‘You need to accurately assass the speed of approaching trafic. If in doubt, wait! 187Lanes at junctions When you appeoach a junction * do so in the comct lane for the direction you intend ta take; dan’t switch lanes to gain acvantage © look well ahead and watch for trafic and direction signs * look aut for signals from vehicles about to change lanes * look aut for vehicles suddenly changing lanes without signaling, Articulated or long vehicles - Stay clear of large vehicles at junctions. They nead much mora room than smaller vehicles and may take up a position that seams incorract to you, They often swing aut to the right before ‘tuming left, and to the left before turing right. Be ready for them to stop if their way is blocked. Passing minor roads Look out for road signs indicating minoe roads, aven if you're not turing off Watch out for emerging vehicles. Thair view is often obscured at junctions. A vehicle might pull ut in front of you lf this happens, and you're not sure that the driver has seen you, slow down. Ba prepared to stop. Be tolerant and don't harass the other iriver by sounding your horn aggrassivaly or driving too ciosa Overtaking Don't overtake af, or when approaching, a junction. A left-hand signal from the vehicle in front is not an indication for you to paul out and pass. The road surface Always watch aut for slippery surlacas or loosa chippings. Avoid beaking whila you're turing. Ftan ahead, beake befor tha junction. Defensive driving Adjust your overall speed when passing ai series of minor roads s0 you can stop within tha distance you can see to be cigar.There are five main types of junction * Tjunetions * YJunetions, © Staggered junctions * Crossroads * Roundabouts. Each type of junction can have many variations. What you intand to do at tha junction datermines haw you aporoach each type. This is where a minor road joins a major road. Normally the toad going straight ahead, along the top of the ‘T', has priority. junctio The minor road will either have « Stop’ sign and road markings «Give Way’ sign and road markings © 'giva way" Ines only * no road sign or markings If you're emerging from the minor road, follow the procedure on pages 165-167. Driving on the major road if you want to go straight ahead « take note of any road signs and markings © watch oul for vehicles emerging to turn left or right * avoid overtaking any vehicle an tha approach to a junction Defensive driving — Adjust your overal spead when passing a series of sida roads on the left. Watch out for vehicles emieeaing onto the major road.Hatch markings - On busior roads the major road is often split belora and after the junction, with a tum-right filer lane protected by white diagonal hatch markings (or chevron) surrounded by a broken or an unbrokan white ina. Join and leave tha major road at thesa junetions exactly a3 you would a dual cariageway. ‘Areas of hatch markings painted on the road soparata streams of traffic protect traffic waiting to turn right Where tha boundary ling is salid, do nat enter axcapt in an amergancy. \Wheea tha boundary line is broken, you should not dive on these markings unéess you can soa i's safe to do so. Junctions on bends ~ Look well ahead for traffic signs and road markings which indicate priority Thasa junctions naed extra care, especially whan turing right from a major road which bands fo the left, because «your fad of vision might ba lirited «traffic might be approaching at speed from your lat + you'll need time to manoouvra safaly Your position before you tum must not endanger either oncoming traffic or yourself. Wait until there's @ gap in the trafic and act positively. Unmarked junctions - Never assuma priority aver anathar road if there are no road signs or markings. What's cbvigus to you might nat be obvious to chrivers on the ther road. Watch carefully for vehicles approaching the junction on the ather road © weating at the junction © emerging from the junction ta join or cross your path. Any vahicla crossing «might assume priority and expect you 10 give way «might not assume priority, but might have misjudged your spead or not sean you. Such a vehicle creates a hazard. You should respond in a safa and sensible manner. Anlicipate and adjust your speed accordingly ta avoid a collision.Y-Junctions ‘junctions can be decaptiva bacausa they often call for Fttle change in direction, Normally tha road going straight shead has. priority and jaining roads have either ‘Give Way’ or ‘Stop’ sions. However, there are many exceptions. Watch out for oncoming vehicles positioned incorrectly. Tha drivers might have misjudged tha junction. Going straight ahead on the major road — + Look wall ahead for road signs and markings. + Watch out for vahicles emerging to tum. left or right + You must not overtalee whan approaching any junction hy Emerging from a minor road - if the angle ‘of appraach to the major road is very sharp and from the right, the view to your laf might ba restricted. If you position your vehicle towards the major road at 2 right angle 3s you approach tha ‘Stop’ or ‘Give way’ lines, you wall improve your view. This is especially important if your vehicle has no rear side windows a van for example. 171These are junctions where roads join from both the right and tha laft so that the path fram one side road to the other will ba staggered, Driving on the major road — Lock well ahead for road signs and markings. Usa MSMPSL. Adjust your speed 3s necessary and prepara to stop, especially if your view is limited or if another dkver's view of you might be Imited Watch for vehicles «emerging from either minor road to tum left or right * on the major road tuming into a minor road on the left or right driving across the main road fram ‘ona minor road into tha other. 172 Emerging — When emerging from a minor Toad to crass tha major road and anter the cather minar road, watch out for trafic approaching fram both directions Turning left then right - Whan its safe to emerge, drive to the cantre of tha major road opposite the minor road you intend to enter and check the traffic again before entering the minor road If you're travelling only @ shart distance from ‘one minor road to another one almost opposita, taka axira care and make sure the gap in traffic is wide enough in both directions. Look, assass, then decide. Eithar po if it’s ‘safe, or wail.Crossroads Crossroads are often road traffic incident blackspats, so take extra care, especially on roads camying fast-moving traffic. Incidents often involve vehicles turning right. Tha procedure when turning at crossroads is much tha same as at any othar junction You'll naed to assess the crossroads on approach, so lock well ahead and check for road signs and markings which might indicate priority. Driving on the major road — Watch for road signs and markings Watch for emarging traffic. Be especially careful of vehicles trying to cut across, using gaps in the traffic. Thay may misjudge your sueed. Adjust your speed approaching crossroads. Turning right - Getting your position and speed correct is vital. Look out for trafic on the road you're joining, as walls on tha road you're leaving Check your mirrors before starting to tur, espacially if you've had to waltTuring right when an oncoming vehicle is also turing right — ‘When two vehicles approaching fram oppesita directions both want to turn right there are two methods that can be used. Either method is acceptable, but will usually ba determined by © the layout of the crossroads © what course the other driver dacides to take © road markings. Turning offside to offside — The actvantage of this method is that both can 868 oncoming traffic. In congested traffic conditions, laave a space for approaching traffic to turn right. 174 ‘Turning nearside to nearside - This method is lass safe because the view cof oncoming vehiclas is not clear. Watch out for oncoming traffic hidden by larger vehicles, Motorcyclists and cyclists are particularly vulnerable as they would be hidden by any type of vehicle. Be ready to stop for oncoming vehicles. Police control or road markings sometimes make this methad compulsory. Defensive driving — Try and get eye contact with the driver of the approaching vehicle to determine which ‘coursa is best. Your speed should allow you to stop if the other driver cuts across your pathApproaching on a minor road — If you approach the crossroads on one of the minor roads and want to tum onto the major road, as long as the minor road ‘opposite is clear, you should treat it as if you are emerging from a T-junction. you want to turn onto the major road, and another vehicle is approaching the crossroads from tha minoe road opposite, then + Fyou are tuming left or going straight on, you should procead with extra caution and make sure no vehicle from tha opposite direction is going to cross your path * Ifyou are tuming right and the ather vehicle is going ahead or turing left, you should normally walt for the other vehicle to clear the junction before you maka your tum, bacause you would otherwise ba cutting across their path + fyou are tuming right and the other vehicla is turning right, you should try to make eye contact with the other driver to establish who should proceed as neither of you have priority. Unmarked crossroads Treat unmarked crossroads with extrema caution since neither road has priority. Never assume you have peiority if thera ae no signs or markings. Drivers approaching an other roads might also assume thay have priority, and an incident could resut Proceed only when you're sure it's safe to do so Remember LADA - you must Lock, Assess and Decide, before you Act Taka extra care whan your view is restricted (by vehicles, walls, hedges, etc} 175Junctions on hills Junctions on hills ‘You may need to take extra care when negotiating junctions on hil Downhill junctions — * Getting into tha corect position af a sale speed is essential when you're approaching a downhill juncticn. Make early use of mirrors, signals, brakes, gears and stasring ta gat into position. Usa the junction routina MSM/PSL. Choose a point with 2 goed all round ‘view batore you look, assess, and decide ‘to go or wait if necessary. Oncoming trafic vill be cimbing mora sloviy. if you need to cross their path, don't move from your "laok’ position unfil your way is clear Don't block oncoming traffic and cause a hold-up. 176 Uphill junctions — Judge your position and speed accurately whan climbing towards a junction, Your position is particularly important to drivers following you. «© IFyou intend to tum right, kaep as close to the centre as is safe. Ifyou stop in the wrong pasition you could force drivers behind to stop unnecessarily. Joining a hill at a junction — It's ralstively easy to judiga the spaod of vahiclas coming uphill Turing left at a T junction into a road where youll be driving uphill is reasonably easy. You don't have to crass traffic and it's easier to judge the flaw of trafic coming uphill Turing right at a Tunction inte a road whara you'll be driving uphill is more dificult. You have to cross fast-moving traffic coming downhill. At tha same time, you have to ft into the flaw of trafic coming up fram the left without blocking tham.