Safety margins
61 questions
What this topic tests
How much room and time you need, and how the weather changes it. These questions are largely about multipliers, and the multipliers are worth learning as a set rather than one at a time.
- Two seconds in the dry. Double it to four in the wet. Up to ten times the distance on ice.
- Skids come from the driver, not the weather. The weather only lowers the point at which harsh steering or braking breaks the grip.
- Coasting — in neutral or with the clutch down — removes engine braking and control just when you need both.
- Anti-lock brakes: press quickly and firmly and hold. They do not shorten your stopping distance on a loose surface.
- After water, dry the brakes with light pressure before you rely on them.
The mark people lose: Answering the fog questions with a distance. In fog you do not get a multiplier — you slow to a speed at which you can stop within the distance you can actually see.
- After riding through shallow flood water, you notice your motorcycle's brakes are not working properly. What would be the best way to dry them out?
- How can you avoid wheelspin when you're driving on an icy road?
- How can you use your vehicle's engine as a brake?
- How much can stopping distances increase in icy conditions?
- How should you use anti-lock brakes when you need to stop in an emergency?
- In which conditions will your overall stopping distance increase?
- On what type of road surface may anti-lock brakes be ineffective?
- Sometimes when you're riding in heavy rain your tyres cannot displace the water fast enough. When this happens, water builds up between your tyres and the road - known as aquaplaning. What should you do to keep control when this happens?
- What can cause your motorcycle's tyres to lose their grip on the road surface and skid?
- What can result when you travel for long distances in neutral (known as coasting)?
- What can you do to be seen more easily when you're riding at night?
- What does it mean if the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) indicator light comes on briefly while you’re driving?
- What does the saying 'only a fool breaks the two-second rule' refer to?
- What lights should you use if you're riding at night on a busy main road?
- What lights should you use when you're driving on a wet motorway and vehicles are throwing up surface spray?
- What requires extra care when you're driving or riding in windy conditions?
- What should a motorcyclist avoid at a mini-roundabout?
- What should you do before starting a journey in foggy weather?
- What should you do before starting a journey in the snow?
- What should you do if you have to ride in foggy weather?
- What should you do if you ride through shallow flood water?
- What should you do to help stay safe when you're riding in fog?
- What should you do to keep warm when you're riding in extremely cold conditions?
- What should you do to make yourself more visible when riding at night?
- What should you do when you park a car facing downhill?
- What should you do when you're driving in snowy conditions?
- What should you do when you're overtaking a motorcyclist on a windy day?
- What should you do when you're using a contraflow system?
- What should you test when you've just ridden through shallow flood water?
- What will be affected if the road surface becomes soft in very hot weather?
- What will help you to move off on a snowy surface?
- What would suggest you're driving on an icy road?
- What's the main benefit of driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle?
- What's the main cause of skidding?
- What's the safest way to stop when the road is wet?
- When are motorcyclists allowed to use high-intensity rear fog lights?
- When must you use your headlights?
- When will your overall stopping distance be increased?
- When will your overall stopping distance increase?
- Where is your vehicle most likely to be affected by side winds?
- Which road surface is most likely to reduce the stability of your motorcycle?
- Why should you keep well to the left as you approach a right-hand bend?
- Why should you ride with dipped headlights on in the daytime?
- Why should you take care when riding over this marked area?
- You’re riding in heavy rain. Why should you try to avoid this marked area?
- You’ve just gone through flood water. What should you do to make sure your brakes are working properly?
- You're about to go down a steep hill. What should you do to control the speed of your vehicle?
- You're about to start a journey in freezing weather. What part of your vehicle should you clear of ice and snow?
- You're driving a vehicle that has an anti-lock braking system (ABS). How should you apply the footbrake when you need to stop in an emergency?
- You're driving along a country road. You see this sign. What should you do after dealing safely with the hazard?
- You're driving along a wet road. How can you tell if your vehicle’s tyres are losing their grip on the surface?
- You're driving in a built-up area that has traffic-calming measures. What should you do when you approach a road hump?
- You're driving in freezing conditions. What should you do as you approach a sharp bend?
- You're driving on an open road in dry weather. What distance should you keep from the vehicle in front?
- You're following a vehicle on a wet road. You stay a safe distance behind it. What should you do if a driver overtakes you and pulls into the gap you've left?
- You're following other vehicles in fog. You have your headlights on dipped beam. What else can you do to reduce the chances of being in a collision?
- You're riding in heavy rain. Your rear wheel skids as you accelerate. What must you do to regain control?
- You're riding in town at night. The roads are wet after rain. How will the reflections from wet surfaces affect your safety?
- You're riding on an exposed stretch of motorway and there’s a strong side wind. When should you anticipate the effect of the wind?
- You're riding past queuing traffic. Why should you be more cautious when you approach this road marking?
- You're travelling on the motorway. How can you lower the risk of a collision when the vehicle behind is following too closely?