Start learningStart the free mini-test
Home / Workbook / Driver safety & stopping distance
Free Workbook · 8 lessons

Driver safety, visibility & stopping distance

Use seat belts correctly, choose lights without dazzling, respond to tunnel smoke, keep a safe gap and read authorised officer signals.

Visual comparisons, memory cards and a fixed 20-question English test with five choices
Decision overview

Space before braking is part of the stop

01
RecognisePerception and reaction
InterpretThe vehicle is still moving

Reaction distance depends on speed and reaction time.

02
RecogniseBraking begins
InterpretGrip and braking capability determine the next distance

Wet roads, worn tyres, slope and load can increase it.

03
RecogniseComplete stop
InterpretReaction distance + braking distance

Study examples are estimates, not guaranteed real-world distances.

Part 1

Seat belts: the rule and the limited exceptions

Every occupant must use the seat belt provided for their seat. Pregnancy does not remove this duty; the lap section should sit low across the pelvis.

Seat belt required

Drivers, front and rear passengers, and pregnant occupants.

Limited exemptions

Reversing driver, qualifying taxi situation, justified emergency duty, or a valid official medical exemption.

Not an exemption

A short trip, low speed, rear-seat travel or personal preference.

Part 2

See, be seen and never dazzle

SituationCorrect light decisionAvoid
🦺Dusk to dawnUse dipped headlights; use main-beam headlights only when permitted.Sidelights alone.
💡Visibility below about 200 mUse the required driving lights in rain, fog, snow or smoke.Waiting until visibility is almost zero.
🌫️Another road user or sufficient lightingDip main-beam headlights in time.Dazzling others.
⏱️TunnelUse dipped headlights and obey displayed instructions.Main-beam headlights or sidelights alone.
Part 3

Smoke in a tunnel: secure, leave and escape

1🅿️ Stop safely

Move near the side or wall without blocking emergency access.

2🔑 Secure the car

Engine off; follow local instructions about leaving the key.

3🚶 Leave now

Take occupants out—do not wait inside the vehicle.

4🚪 Use the exit

Follow illuminated emergency-exit signs on foot.

Part 4

A safe gap buys reaction time

Normal conditions2 seconds

Increase the gap in rain, fog, darkness, ice, heavy traffic or when towing.

50 mApproximate study gap at 100 km/h
60 mApproximate study gap at 120 km/h
1 secCommon attentive-driver reaction-time approximation
Part 5

Reaction + braking = total stopping distance

👀 Reaction distance+🛑 Braking distance=🏁 Stopping distance
SpeedReaction · approx.Dry braking · approx.Dry total · memory value
🦺50 km/h15 m12.5 m≈ 30 m
💡70 km/h21 m24.5 m≈ 45 m
🌫️90 km/h27 m40.5 m≈ 70 m
⏱️110 km/h33 m60.5 m≈ 95 m
🛑120 km/h36 m72 m≈ 108 m
Part 6

Authorised officer signals override everything else

SignalMeaningVisual cue
🦺Arm raised verticallyStop for road users approaching the officer.✋ STOP
💡Arm(s) extended horizontallyStop when approaching the officer’s front or back; parallel flow may proceed safely.↔️ ARM LINE
🌫️Arm moved up and downSlow down.⬇️ SLOW
⏱️Rotating arm movementSpeed up / clear the area as directed.🔄 MOVE
🛑Red torch or light directed at youStop.🔴 STOP
👮WhistleAttention signal—look for the officer’s instruction.📣 LOOK
Part 7

Trams and people who may signal traffic

SituationCorrect approachDo not assume
🦺Tram conflictNormally give way, subject to an officer, traffic light and applicable signs.That one slogan overrides every signal.
💡Passing a tramThe usual side depends on the rail/road layout and safety; protect boarding passengers.That passing is always permitted.
🌫️Uncontrolled crossingDo not overtake a vehicle stopped for pedestrians or cyclists.That clear tram rails make it safe.
⏱️School crossing supervisor or group leaderObey authorised stop indications within their legal role.That every signaller has full police powers.
🛑Whistle from an officerLook immediately for the accompanying instruction.That the whistle alone tells you a direction.
Exam memory

Belt · 200 · dip · exit · 2 seconds · stop

✓Belt on

Pregnancy is not a general exemption.

200Visibility

About 200 m is the lighting trigger.

💡Dip in time

Never dazzle another road user.

🚪Tunnel escape

Engine off; leave on foot.

2sFollowing gap

Minimum memory rule in normal conditions.

✋Officer first

Officer signals override all other controls.

Continue to the next topic
Fixed assessment

20-question chapter test

Every question has five fixed answer choices.

1. Who must normally wear a seat belt?
2. Which situation can create a limited seat-belt exemption?
3. What is required for a medical seat-belt exemption?
4. When must vehicle lighting be used under the poor-visibility rule?
5. Which lights should be used in a tunnel?
6. When may main-beam headlights be used?
7. What should you do first when smoke makes a tunnel unsafe?
8. Why may emergency guidance tell you to leave the key in a tunnel vehicle?
9. What does the two-second rule measure?
10. What approximate gap does the speed-divided-by-two memory aid give at 120 km/h?
11. What is reaction distance?
12. At 90 km/h, what reaction distance does the one-second study approximation give?
13. What is total stopping distance?
14. How does a wet road affect braking distance?
15. What approximate dry stopping-distance memory value is used at 50 km/h?
16. What approximate dry stopping-distance memory value is used at 90 km/h?
17. What does an officer’s vertically raised arm mean?
18. With an officer’s arm or arms extended horizontally, who must stop?
19. What does a red light or torch directed at you by an authorised officer mean?
20. Which instruction has priority?

0/20 answered · Select an answer for immediate feedback.