Roadcraft - The Police Driver's Handbook by The Police Foundation, The Police Foundation -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Copyright Page Acknowledgements Foreword Contents Preface to the new edition About Roadcraft Chapter 1 Becoming a better driver

Becoming a better driver What makes a good driver?

Competences for police drivers

Your vulnerability as a driver

What are the commonest causes of collisions? Who is most likely to be involved in a collision? Critical learning from experience Develop awareness of your personal vulnerability

Human factor risks for police drivers

Distraction due to multi-tasking Driving stress Operational stressors Time pressure and the purpose of your journey ‘Noble cause’ risk-taking ‘Red mist’

How we learn

Training, practice and feedback Overconfidence after training Self-assessment will help you continually improve Be honest

Check your understanding

Chapter 2 The system of car control

The need for a system of car control

Integrating a range of competences

What is the system of car control?

How the system works The importance of information Mirrors and signals

The system of car control

Information Position Speed Gear Acceleration

Use the system flexibly

Applying the system to a left-hand turn Applying the system to a right-hand turn Applying the system to a roundabout Re-applying the system to leave the roundabout Applying the system to a potential hazard

Overlapping braking and gear changing in specific circumstances

Brake/gear overlap – an example Incorrect use of brake/gear overlap

Check your understanding

Chapter 3 Information, observation and anticipation

Processing complex information

Improving your information processing Tips to improve information processing

Why observation and anticipation are essential for better driving

What is a hazard?

Planning

Anticipate hazards Prioritise hazards Decide what to do

Improving your observation

Scanning the environment Looking but not seeing Peripheral vision Zones of visibility Your choice of speed Keep your distance

Human factors that affect observation and anticipation

Alertness Tiredness Other physiological factors

Check your understanding

Chapter 4 Anticipating hazards in the driving environment

Night driving

You Your vehicle Your lights Following other vehicles at night Information from other vehicles’ lights Dazzle Reflective studs and markings Cat’s eyes Other ways to improve observation at night

Weather conditions

Using lights in bad weather Using auxiliary controls and instruments in bad weather Observing when visibility is low Micro climates

Road surface

Road surface irregularities The road surface in winter Driving through water

Road signs and markings Local road knowledge Making observation links Check your understanding

Chapter 5 Acceleration, using gears, braking and steering

Developing competence at controlling your vehicle

The tyre grip trade-off Vehicle balance and tyre grip Technology to help keep control of the vehicle

Using the accelerator

Retarders Acceleration and vehicle balance Acceleration and balance on different types of vehicle Developing your competence at using the accelerator Acceleration sense Using the accelerator on bends Key points Fuel/power source affects acceleration and engine braking

Using the gears

Moving off from stationary Accurate use of the gears Key points

Automatic transmission

Automatic transmission modes Using the features of automatic systems Developing your competence at using automatic systems Road conditions

Slowing down and stopping

Releasing the accelerator – engine braking Using the brakes Normal braking (tapered braking) Braking, tyre grip and balance The safe stopping distance rule Overall safe stopping distance The two-second rule Braking for corners and bends Braking as you approach a hazard Emergency braking Using the parking brake

Steering

Steering technique Seat position How to hold the steering wheel Pull–push Rotational steering Key points

Check your understanding

Chapter 6 Manoeuvring at low speeds

Developing your competence at low-speed manoeuvring Using the system

Observation Planning Steering

Reversing in a confined space

Manoeuvring with a guide

Parking Check your understanding

Chapter 7 Maintaining vehicle stability

Controlling your vehicle’s stability

Attitudes to vehicle safety technology

Avoiding skidding

How does a skid happen? How to minimise the risk of skidding

Recognising the cause of a skid

Cause: driving too fast for the circumstances Cause: harsh acceleration Cause: excessive or sudden braking Cause: coarse steering Understeer and oversteer How active safety systems work Anti-lock braking systems Traction control systems Electronic stability programmes Key points

Correcting a skid in a vehicle without active safety features Aquaplaning Check your understanding

Chapter 8 Driver’s signals

Developing your competence at using signals

The purpose of signals Key points Interpreting signals given by others

The range of signals

Using the indicators Cancelling indicator signals Using hazard warning lights Using brake lights Using the horn Flashing your headlights Arm signals Using courtesy signals Responding to other people’s signals

Check your understanding

Chapter 9 Positioning

Developing competence at positioning your vehicle Safety position on the approach to hazards

Roadside hazards Improving the view into nearside road junctions Following position Position for turning Position at crossroads Position for stopping behind other vehicles

Check your understanding

Chapter 10 Cornering

Developing your competence at cornering Using the system to corner safely

Key principles for safe cornering

Cornering forces Vehicle characteristics

Roadworthiness Vehicle specification Understeer and oversteer

Camber and superelevation

Summary of factors affecting cornering

The system of car control and the limit point

How to use the limit point to help you corner The double apex bend

How to use the system for cornering

Information Position Speed Gear Acceleration

Check your understanding

Chapter 11 Overtaking

Developing your competence at overtaking safely

The hazards of overtaking Key safety points Stationary vehicles Moving vehicles

How to overtake Where you are able to overtake immediately

Information

Where other hazards require you to follow before you can safely overtake

Following position Overtaking position Overtaking Overtaking vehicles in a line of traffic Summary

Special hazards you must consider before overtaking

The range of hazards The vehicle in front Cyclists The vehicles behind Road layout and conditions The road surface Overtaking on a single carriageway Overtaking on bends Single carriageway roads marked with three lanes Overtaking on multi-lane carriageways

Helping other road users to overtake Check your understanding

Chapter 12 Driving on motorways and multi-lane carriageways

Driving on multi-lane carriageways

Human factors in motorway driving

Joining the motorway

Layout of the carriageway Use the system Overtaking

Motorway junctions

Using the hard shoulder

Leaving the motorway Bad weather conditions on fast-moving roads

Fog Rain Snow, sleet and ice High winds Bright sun

Other hazards

Debris Lane closures

Additional hazards on fast-moving multi-lane carriageways Check your understanding

Chapter 13 Emergency response

What is an emergency response? Risk assessment Responding to an emergency

Use of emergency warning equipment Speed limits Approaching traffic light-controlled junctions Approaching traffic light-controlled pedestrian crossings Contravening keep left/right signs Positioning to see and be seen Approaching and passing vehicles Interpreting other drivers’ signals Stationary vehicles at or near an incident Responding on multi-lane roads Approaching roundabouts Passing on the nearside of other vehicles Vehicles responding in convoy Vulnerable road users

Check your understanding

Appendices

Are you fit to drive?

I AM SAFE checklist

Is your vehicle fit to drive?

Roadworthiness/pre-driving checklist POWDER checklist Inside the vehicle checklist Testing the brakes

Goals for Driver Education

Bibliography Index

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