Safety margins

• When in a contraflow system, remember to choose an appropriate lane in good time
• When the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) light comes on whilst driving, it means the system has activated
• If you approach a road hump whilst driving, check your mirror and slow down
• Your control can be reduced when travelling long distances in neutral (also known as coasting)
• Hearing less tyre noise would suggest you're driving on an icy road
• When driving on an open road in dry weather, you should keep a two second time gap between you and the vehicle in front
• You're following other vehicles in fog and have your dipped headlights on, you can also keep distance from the vehicle in front to ensure safety
• You're driving a vehicle with anti lock brakes (ABS), when in an emergency, apply the breaks rapidly and firmly
• When driving in freezing weather, ensure that the windows of your vehicle are clear of ice and snow
• You can avoid wheelspin whilst driving on an icy road by driving at a slow speed on the highest gear possible
• Anti locks brakes (ABS) may be ineffective on loose, wet, or icy surfaces
• When overtaking a motorcyclist on a windy day you should pass widely and give them space
• You have just gone through water, you can make sure your brakes are working by going slowly and gently applying brakes
• You should brake promptly and firmly whilst using anti lock brakes (ABS) in an emergency
• When you're driving along a country road and see this sign, you should test your brakes after dealing with the hazard
• When you're driving along a country road and see this sign, you should test your brakes after dealing with the hazard

  
• Your vehicle is most likely to be affected by side winds on open stretches of road
• If you're following a vehicle on a wet road with a safe distance between you two and a driver overtakes and pulls into the gap between you, you should slowly move back and regain a safe distance
• If you're driving on a wet motorway and vehicles are throwing up surface spray you should use dipped headlights
• The main benefit of driving a four wheeled vehicle is that you get improved grip on the road
• When you park a car facing downhill, you should turn the steering wheel towards the kerb
• Stopping distance can increase ten times on icy condition
• You should take extra care when passing a cyclists whilst driving in windy conditions
• Tyre grip will be affected when the road surface becomes soft in very hot weather
• If you're driving on a wet road and the steering feels light, it means the tyres are losing grip
• Using a higher gear than normal can help you move off a snowy surface
• Skidding is usually the driver's error, but it can also be caused by the road surface
• You're driving in freezing conditions and about to turn into a sharp bend, you should slow down gently to avoid skidding
• You can use your vehicle's engine to break by changing to a lower gear
• You should keep well left as you approach this right hand bend to improve your view of the road

  
• Your overall stopping distance will increase in rainy conditions
• When going down a steep hill, select a low gear and use brakes carefully to control your speed
• When driving in snowy conditions you should brake gently in plenty of time
• You're travelling on a motorway, you can lower the risk of a collision if a vehicle is closely behind you by increasing your distance from the vehicle in front
• When driving in foggy weather, you should go slower and warn wherever you're going to that the journey will be longer than usual