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DRIVING CODE Edited

The document outlines the essential qualities and responsibilities of a driver, emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude, discipline, and physical fitness for safe driving. It covers various aspects of driving, including defensive driving techniques, vehicle controls, safety measures, and hazard management, while also detailing the significance of road signs and different driving environments. Additionally, it provides guidelines for handling emergencies and adverse weather conditions to ensure road safety.

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Agyapong Nelson
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
52 views23 pages

DRIVING CODE Edited

The document outlines the essential qualities and responsibilities of a driver, emphasizing the importance of a positive attitude, discipline, and physical fitness for safe driving. It covers various aspects of driving, including defensive driving techniques, vehicle controls, safety measures, and hazard management, while also detailing the significance of road signs and different driving environments. Additionally, it provides guidelines for handling emergencies and adverse weather conditions to ensure road safety.

Uploaded by

Agyapong Nelson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DRIVERS ATTITUDE

THE DRIVER: Is someone who has the knowledge, skills and a positive attitude towards the vehicle. The
driver must be 18 years and above with a sound mind.

ATTITUDE: can be defined as a way of thinking about something or somebody’s behavior towards
something or somebody. Some attitudes are positive whiles others are negative.

Discipline: A disciplined person is law abiding. A discipline driver is the one who submits or subjects
himself/herself to the rules and regulations of the driving profession.

Neatness: they say in next to Godliness. Keeping oneself neat is very important in the driving
profession. It goes a long way to put confidence in your passengers and helps them to feel safe and
assured.

FITNESS TO DRIVE
As a driver, your overall physical and mental well-being is off major concern and for that matter you
driver has to be physically fit to drive defensively.

COMPONENTS OF PHYSICAL FITNESS

Physical appearance: Arm/hand being intact

No illness/sickness: that can cause sudden interruption of your driving. Example; epileptic patients,
severe pain in the neck etc.

Substance/drugs intake: alcohol or medicine

Eye sights: about 90% of decisions taken on the road by drivers are based on what they see.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING
Defensive driving is basically driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around
you and the actions of others. This definition is taken from the National Safety Council's Defensive Driving
Course
Is the type of driving whereby the driver employs excellent defensive attitudes on the road that
ensures the protection of lives and properties,himself/herself other road users the passengers on
board.

Defensive Attitudes/Behaviors

• Consideration
• Concentration
• Observation
• Anticipation
• Tolerance
• Patience
• Confident
• Knowledgeable
• Responsibility

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Defensive Weapons

COAT (Concentration, Observation, Anticipation and Tolerance)

INTRODUCTION OF THE VEHICLE

A car or vehicle is a tool or equipment, which runs on road. It has an engine and usually uses four
tyres or more. It is driven by one person who is referred to as a driver or an operator.

The car is also a useful device in the hands of a safe driver but very dangerous in the hands of the
reckless driver.

CONTROLS

STEERING: Is the act of directing the course of the vehicle by the use of the steering wheel.
➢ If you want to turn to any direction, you steer to that direction. It is very sensitive so it should
be handled carefully, it must also be held lightly but firm.

➢ The position of the hand should be on (i). 10 minutes to 2’oclock (ii). Or quarter to three
(15minutes to three)

THE HORN
This is used to alert or call for someone’s attention

When to Use the Horn

➢ The horn should be used when overtaking a vehicle.

➢ At blind location or areas such as curves bends, hilly areas etc.

➢ It is necessary to blow the horn as a warning at a place where it is difficult for you to see
portions of the road you are about to enter or turn on.

NB: Whenever you hear a siren, look into the mirror and make a head check as to the distance
and position of the vehicle that is blowing the siren.

SEAT BELT
It is very important for the driver and passenger to fasten their seat belts for safety.

NB: seat belts when fasten do not stop accidents from occurring, however it serves as the following
purposes should any accident occur.

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• It prevents the driver from hitting his chest or head against the steering wheel.

➢ It protects the use form hitting him/her against any part of the vehicle in case of an accident.
➢ It reduces the amount of seriousness of injuries that can occur in case of an accident.

NB: in case of an accident, passengers, without seat are likely to disturb the driver’s ability to
control the vehicles, so as a driver ensure that your passenger put on their seat belts.

INDICATOR SWITCH CONTROL

➢ Is located or attached to the left hand column or side of the steering wheel. It is used for
indicating the direction you want to turn to.

➢ For the sake of safety, it is advisable to use arm signals in addition to the indicator lights, the
reasons, being that the two convey your attention absolutely.

WIPER SWITCH
This is also attached to the right hand column side of the steering wheel and is used to regulate the
wiper blades on the windscreen in order to clean or clear it.

MIRROR
➢ There are interior as well as exterior mirror, most interior mirrors are flat in shape
whiles the exterior ones are convex in shape.

The driving mirror has three purposes:


➢ The mirror enables you to obtain views of the road behind
➢ It updates you on the changes in traffic situations, which can change rapidly and suddenly.
➢ The mirror enables you to observe the position distance and the speed of the vehicle
approaching from the rear (behind).

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When to use the mirrors
➢ Before you move off from a parked position on to the road
➢ When overtaking
➢ When parking
➢ When opening your door
➢ When changing lanes
➢ When turning left or right
➢ When slowing down
➢ When about to make a stop
➢ When driving on dual or multiple carriageway

PEDALS (DOWN FLOOR CONTROLS)

THE CLUTCH
This pedal is situated at the left foot side on the floor. It has three basic functions
For changing or selection gears
For reducing or slowing down and when stopping the vehicle completely.
For moving or taking off.

NB: for any of the above to be performed effectively you must and always press the clutch
pedal fully down with the left foot. But DO NOT forget to release it up gradually and gently.
This pedal is not sensitive like the brake and the accelerator pedals to be pressed gently down.
It is rather sensitive when releasing the pressure on it. Hence must be done gently or
gradually.

BRAKE:
This is situated between the accelerator and the clutch pedal (middle). And it is use to reduce the
speed and to stop the vehicle completely. It is also very sharp and so must be pressed gently. We
only use the right foot to control this pedals.

ACCELERATOR
This pedal is situated at the extreme right and it is used for speeding. It is very sensitive and must be
pressed gently. We only use the right foot to control this pedal also.

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GEARS

This gear is in a form of H shape. Changing of gears depends on the speed at which you are driving.
The higher the speed, the higher the gear and the lower the speed, the lower the gear.

HOW TO MOVE AND STOP A VEHICLE (Cockpit Drill)


➢ Adjust your seat
➢ Set the mirrors
➢ Fasten your seat belt
➢ Shift gear lever into neutral
➢ Start the engine
➢ Select the first gear
➢ Give obstruction signals (indicate to the intended direction)
➢ Release parking brake
➢ Look through the driving mirrors to check behind
➢ Smoothly release foot off the clutch pedal slowly, and at the same time pressing down
the accelerator pedal slowly to move the vehicle.

Procedure before stopping

• Look through your driving mirrors


➢ Give slowly down or stopping signals
➢ Release your foot from the accelerator
➢ Apply foot brake smoothly
➢ Press down the clutch pedal
➢ Apply parking brake
➢ Release foot off the foot brake
➢ Shift gear lever into neutral
➢ Release foot off the clutch pedal
➢ Switch off ignition

DAILY ROUTINE CHECKS


➢ Engine oil level
➢ Engine coolant level/radiator
➢ Power steering fluid level (A. T. F)
➢ Brake and clutch fluid level
➢ Wind screen washer fluid level
➢ Battery

REVERSING

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Reversing is one of the difficult maneuvers that any driver can undertake. There are however a
number of rules that can make reversing smooth and safe.

➢ Look all-round the vehicle before starting to reverse.


➢ Look in front of the vehicle and the rear as you begin to reverse
➢ Reverse slowly
➢ In case your rear view is blocked by either a parked vehicle or an object, seek assistance from
someone to watch your rear.
➢ Any person giving you assistance when reversing should stand by the side of the vehicle at the
rear and not directly behind the vehicle
➢ In case of any uncertainty, get out of the vehicle and inspect your rear and surroundings.
➢ Do not divide your attention by talking on a mobile phone while reversing
➢ Never rely on what you can see through the rear view mirror only, because it is difficult to see
small children and other hazards such as trolley, bicycle etc. Parked behind and within your
blind spot due to their height.

TYRE BURST (EMERGENGIES)


If your tyre blows out, do not slam the brakes. Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, steer straight
ahead, and slow gradually to a stop.
A skid occurs when there isn’t enough friction between tire and road. This can happen when driving in wet
or icy conditions, stopping suddenly, or entering a turn at a high speed.
If you get into a rear wheel skid, do not brake suddenly. Turn your steering wheel in the direction of
the skid. As the vehicle begins to straighten out, straighten the front wheels also.
If your accelerator pedal jams brake gradually to a stop, leaving the vehicle in gear.
If a vehicle approaches on the wrong side of the road, the driver may be asleep, drowsy, inattentive, ill
or drunk. Warn him/her with your horn, by tapping it and pull to the right as far as possible.

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ROAD SIGNS

Road signs are signs or symbols that communicate messages to the driver on the road.

Types
There are three major types and one minor

Minor also known as temporal/ miscellaneous


The minor road signs are also known as the temporary road sign. They are usually for road
maintenance and accidents scenes.

Major

The major road signs include:


WARNING
REGULATORY (Prohibitory and mandatory)( what to do and what not to do)
INFORMATORY

How to identify road signs


We can identify road signs by these features

Warning

Shape:

Triangular

Color: RED

Symbol: Black

Regulatory

Shape:

Circular
Color: Red
Symbol: Black with most being cancelled or cross cancelled

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Informatory

Shape:

Rectangular

Color: Green/blue background

Symbol: lettering

HAZARD MANAGEMENT

Hazard:
Is any situation on the road that requires a motorist or pedal cyclist to change speed,
direction or stop in order to retain control of the vehicle to avoid a possible crash on the
road.

Types
Hazards can be classified into three categories

Moving hazard
These are other road users;
➢ Pedestrians
➢ Cyclist
➢ Animals etc.

Moving hazards are dangerous as they can cross your path of travel and either cause a crash
or make your lose control of the vehicle.

Static hazard
These are those that are stationary

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➢ Bends
➢ Traffic light
➢ Roundabout
➢ Bridges
➢ Rail level
➢ Junctions
➢ Pedestrians crossing

Changing hazards
They are natural occurrences

➢ Bad weather
➢ Wind
➢ Blinding sunrays
➢ Fog
➢ Heavy rainfall

Things that creates hazards

➢ A parked vehicle
➢ Road crash scenes
➢ Slow moving vehicles
➢ Confused driver
➢ Driver in a hurry
➢ Dozing driver
➢ Narrow bridges
➢ Work zones
➢ Bumps

Where to look for hazards

➢ Junctions
➢ Intersections
➢ Cross roads
➢ Traffic lights
➢ At roundabouts
➢ Hospitals
➢ Shopping malls
➢ Market places

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Why You Have To Look For Hazards
➢ To enable you identify early what the other road user is about to do.
➢ To enable you avoid road crash
➢ To avoid emergencies

TO AVOID A ROAD CRASH – A MOTORIST MUST OBSERVE THE FF:


S-search
I-identify
P-predict
D-decide
E-execute

WEATHER CONDITIONS
Fog, rain, sunshine are examples of weather condition that may make driving very unfavorable
Bad weather can affect driving by reducing visibility and traction, either of which can lead to loss of
control.

How to minimize the effects of these conditions

Plan to see and be seen in bad weather


In rainy or foggy weather, keep windshield windows and headlights clean
If you are on a trip, it is necessary to stop occasionally to wipe off your headlights.

Limited visibility
A heavy rain can prevent vision so much that you cannot even see the edges of the roadway.
If you must pull off the road to wait for rainstorm to minimize, it is best to pull to a rest area.
If this is possible pull off the road as far as you can. Turn your headlights off and turn on your
emergency flashers to alert other drivers.

Driving in fog
Most drivers know the dangers of driving in fog but, they do not know what safety measures to take.
➢ Reduce the speed and turn on your low beam headlights and emergency flashers.
➢ Avoid sudden stop. If you must stop, steer off into the shoulder if possible.
➢ A major cause of accident in fog is over driving visibility. i.e driving too fast for the condition.
➢ Emergency flashers can help to increase visibility.
➢ Always use windshield wipers in fog conditions and remember that the problem of driving in
fog become greater at night.

The road and its uses


The road is a way or any length of a highway which the public can travel from one point to another.

➢ Road users
➢ Motorist

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➢ Cyclist (Pedal cyclist)
➢ Passengers
➢ Animals
➢ Cart pushers

Types of carriageways

There are three types of carriageways

➢ Single carriageway
➢ Dual carriageway
➢ Multiple lane carriageway

MOTORWAY
Motorways are speed test roads and if not specified there is no speed limit

Uses

➢ They are purposefully built to satisfy a situation


o CERTAIN CATRGORY OF VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE MOTOR WAY
➢ Bicycles
➢ Earth moving equipment - i.e tractors, bulldozers,
➢ Unqualified drivers are not permitted on the motorway i.e learners

➢ Old dilapidated vehicles are not allowed to be on the motorway

NB: their presence on the motorway impedes smooth running of traffic


Animals are not allowed on motorway.

How to travel on the motorway


Drivers are advised to always drive in the slip lane on entering the motorway
Concentrate on the driving
The acceleration lane is for overtaking

URBAN DRIVNG
When one is driving in the urban, one is being controlled by three main agencies
➢ Police
➢ School patrol
➢ The traffic light
Your speed should not exceed 30-50km.

NB: priority should always be given to the police. Thus, the instruction of the police should be
followed even when the traffic light are in operation

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CITY DRIVING
You should be able to meet and deal with oncoming traffic safety especially, where there are
obstruction such as parked cars, and where you have to move into the path on oncoming traffic.In
built up areas such Makola and Nima (in Accra)etc. look out for doors opening,children running
out,pedestrians stepping out between parked cars or from buses,vehicles pulling out without
warning.

HIGHWAY DRIVNG
It is combination of motorway driving and urban city driving. Example Accra-Kumasi or Accra-Cape
Coast is considered a highway.
In cities or towns the driving changes whiles out of city or town the driving turns to be motorway.

DRIVING ON FEDER ROADS

This type of road is gradually fading off.

They are mostly in the remote areas of countryside. They connect one village to the other until it
finally joins a major highway. They are normally not tarred, dusty and narrow as such on markings.
Bridges on this type of road are narrow with occasional bushy edges.
Driving on such a road calls for patience

Its narrow nature makes overtaking very difficult. It is therefore advisable not to overtake on such
roads until the vehicle ahead decides to stop in a safe place for you.

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ROAD ACCIDENT

An accident is a sudden occurrence that brings bad consequences. It can be described as minor or
major.
In minor accidents the consequences is not disastrous but in major accidents casualties are involved.

MAJOR CAUSES OF ACCIDNETS


➢ Road conditions
➢ Weather conditions
➢ Mechanical faults
➢ Human errors

Road condition
➢ Rough and corrugated (pot holes)
➢ Slippery surface
➢ Sharp curves etc.

Weather conditions
➢ A heavy rainfall
➢ Fog

Mechanical faults
➢ Tyre burst
➢ Steering failure
➢ Brake failure
➢ Acceleration jams etc.

Human errors

This contributes to about 80% of road accidents in our country Ghana

Poor calculations resulting to poor judgments is one of the major factors of human error.

Poor knowledge about the language of the road and recklessness are also major causes.

Causes of road accident


➢ Refusing to signal when pulling out from a road or entering from side of the road.
➢ Refusing to select the right lane at the right time
➢ When speed is too fast for the poor condition of the road
➢ When parking is unsafe or illegal places (no parking places)
➢ When given wrong signal
➢ When driving under the influence of drug or alcohol
➢ Belated observation (lack of concentration)
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➢ When you change lane suddenly
➢ Hard braking especially on wet or slippery roads can be dangerous
➢ When speeding without reasoning (unnecessary speeding)
➢ Competing with other cars or racing with other vehicles
➢ Tiredness

ACCIDENT PROCEDURE

Minor accident
When an accident occurs, the following must be adhered to
➢ Stop the vehicle, put the hazard lights on to inform other road users of the dangers
ahead
➢ Place the reflective triangle about 45-50 meters in front and behind to inform or warn
other road users
➢ With a chalk or any object, mark the position of the four tyres of your car, and that of
the other car.
➢ Remove the two vehicles as they may be causing obstruction to other road users.
➢ Report to the police and then to your insurance company.

Major accident
In case of major accident follow the following procedures
1. Inform other road users by fixing the reflective warning triangle
2. Be very careful when handling accident victims
3. Bring all accident victims together
4. Arrange them in order of seriousness.
5. Should there be any help consider those whose condition are more serious.
6. Arrange for an ambulance to convey victims to the nearest hospitals.
7. The driver should report to the police and then to the insurance company.

FIRST AID
The term First Aid was adopted for the first time in England in the year 1870, by the Saint
John Ambulance Association (S.J.A.A).
First aid is the initial temporary care given to the ill or victims of an accident before the
arrival of a doctor.
Aims

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➢ Promoting a save environment
➢ Saving lives
➢ Preventing injury or illness from becoming worse.
➢ Helping promote recovery

Qualities of a first aid provider


The first aid provider must be
➢ Courageous
➢ Calm and confident
➢ Intelligent
➢ Able to solicit help from bystanders

NB: the first aid provider is not a medical doctor and as such does not qualify to
administer drugs. It is therefore advisable that the driver takes a passenger who
complains of any ailment to the nearest hospital. Take his or her particulars and
report to the station manager on arrival and if possible report to the family.
First Aid Kits
Bandage safety pins
Blades plaster
Gauze surgical disposable gloves
Scissors carbolic soap
NB: never include any drug in your kit. However any first aid box designed for the
family can contain drugs that are the family drugs.
What To Do when you approach a scene of an accident or emergency follow this

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DRABC
D – check for Danger
R – check Response
A – clear and open Airways
B – check Breathing
C – check for circulation

D – check for danger


To you – only proceed if it is safe to do so
To others – make sure no one else gets hurts
To the casualty, check response

R – Check response
➢ Is the casualty conscious?
➢ Generally shake the person and ask can you hear me?
➢ If the person is unconscious, he/she should be turned on the side.

A – clear and open the airways


➢ Check the nose and the mouth and remove any foreign objects such as sand, weeds etc
➢ Place one hand on the forehead
➢ Place another hand under the chin
➢ Gently tilt the head back.

B – check Breathing
➢ To check for breathing
➢ To check for breathing, apply look and feel
➢ Look at the chest and stomach if it is rising and falling
➢ Listen from the warm air from the nose with your cheek
➢ If no breathing give him air by applying artificial respiration

C – check for Circulation


Check for circulation by placing the three middle fingers on the carotid artery
NB: never do this on anybody who is breathing else your will rather stop the heart.

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FIRE FIGTHING
A fire in motor vehicle generally involves petrol and electrical fault and is therefore likely to
increase rapidly and intensity.
Causes of fire in a vehicle
➢ Worn out tyres
➢ Excessive heat in the engine due to the failure of the radiator fan or oil level of the
engine oil
➢ Leakages of fuel out of the fuel pipes
➢ Hanging wires that normally touches the road surface is a good recipe for fire ignition
➢ Exposed electrical wires that may get into contact with each other i.e P+N (positive +
negative)

Classes of fire and extinguishers


✓ Solid fire: caused by paper, wood, clothes etc.

Extinguisher used: water extinguisher, Co2


✓ Liquid fire: caused by petrol, L.P.G, kerosene

Extinguisher used: dry powder and Co2


✓ Electric fire: wires.

Extinguisher used: dry powder and Co2


Operation of fire extinguisher (PASS)
P – Pull the safety pin/locker
A – Aim at the base of the fire
S – Squeeze the trigger or strike
S – sweep all the flame
NB: as a driver any time you smell the scent of fuel excessively or any burning do not
take it for granted.
What to do
➢ Stop the car and park at a safe place
➢ Inform all occupants to come out of the vehicle including their valuables.
➢ With a spanner or a pair of pliers remove the battery terminal that is the source of the
fire
➢ If the fire is fully developed, use the fire extinguisher
➢ Be careful anytime you are about to open the bonnet of the car, because the wider
you open bonnetthe more the air blows into the engine compartment and the more
the fire grows.

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LICENSING
The law demands that before one engages in any profession one needs to have some form of
documents, so it is in the driving profession
Driving License: this is the basic and official documents that permit one to drive.
Road worthy Certificate: the law mandates the DVLA to ensure that all vehicles plying our
roads are roadworthy. All vehicles have to undergo through inspection check like
- Light testing with beam setters - steering control checks
- Brake testing - seats and body condition checks

Certificate of road worthiness is then issued. This is a form of driving documents


Loading documents
The law demands that before loads are carried from one place to the other the driver needs
to have documents covering the load. Example waybill, invoice or any written permits issued
by an authorized person.
Load
It is a parcel or substance that is to be conveyed from one place to the other on board a
vehicle, bicycle, motor or human heads.

VEHICLE COMPONENTS
Frame/Chassis: Supports the vehicle as a whole.
Engine: is a power plant, which generates its own power in propelling the vehicle.
Shock absorbers: receivesthe shock on the surface of the road from being transmitted to the
occupants of the vehicle.
Body: it serves as a shelter for the occupants. It beautifies the vehicle.
Starter: is an electrical device, which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy in
turning the fly wheel.
Starter motor: is to rotate the engine at a certain minimum speed in order for the engine to
commence running.
Gear box: helps the driver to select the speed of the vehicle according to the road surface.
Power Train: Carries power from the engine to the road wheels.
Vehicle Accessories: This includes radio, air-conditions, lights, wipers etc.
Servicing Of Vehicle
Vehicles must be serviced according to manufacturing specifications. However, for general
purposes, it is recommended that servicing should be done after the vehicle has covered a

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distance of 5000km or 3000miles or six months depending on which ever is first. If the
vehicle is town driven example taxi, mini bus or trotro.
Oil to be used
S A E (society of automobile engineers)
S A E 40 for petrol cars and S A E 50 for diesel cars

TYRE CARE
Tyres can make a difference in the performance of your vehicle for it is not the steering
systems that drive the vehicle. On the contrary it is the tyres that drives the vehicle.
Takecare of the tyres so that the tyre also takes care of you.
CORRECT PRESSURE
➢ Tyres must be inflated according to manufacturer`s specification(written on the tyre
side wall)
➢ Tyre inflated according to specification grips the surface of the road and ensures
uniform wear.
➢ Correct pressure leads to fuel economy
➢ Check pressure at least once every month
➢ Make sure you check tyre pressure when the tyre is cold
➢ Check pressure before making any long journeys
➢ Tyres on your vehicle and any trailer must be in good condition.
➢ Check for excessive heat when you stop for abreak

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BEFORE YOU MOVE A VEHICLE, LOOK OUT FOR SIGNS OF
I. Wear
II. Damage
III. Cuts
IV. Exposed cords

WITH RECOMMENDED PRESSURE TYRES


I. Will last long
II. Less likely to fail
III. Use less fuel

WRONG PRESSURE LEADS TO THE FOLLOWING


➢ It makes the vehicle unsafe to drive
➢ Its results in a needlessly high fuel consumption
➢ Its shortens the life span of the tyre
➢ It causes uneven wear

COMMON DRIVING TERMINOLOGIES


General driving involves the daily activities that the driver has to perform whiles on the road.
The driver should always drive in such a way that he/she will be able to stop within the limit
of his/her vision.
M – take a look at the Mirror
S – signal
M – maneuver
Check to assess the speed and of vehicles behind clearly and in good time
P-position
S-speed
L-limit

Blowing: upon hearing the blowing of a siren give way to traffic. Before you do check the
following.
P – the Position of approaching traffic
L - Look right for any road user or obstruction
S – pull to the right for Safety
Methods of communication
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Drivers of motor vehicles use signaling devices to send most messages.( Horns, Indicators,
Lights and the Headlights)
Four common messages
Intension: I plan to turn left or right. I am turning here, I am strong and I want to pass.
Please move over, I want to back up.
Warnings: there is trouble ahead in my lane. I m
ust stop suddenly. There is trouble or danger in your lane. Your lights are blinding me.
Presence: I am over here. Notice me. Do you see me? I am parked.
Feedback: I see you. I get the message. Thanks for helping me.

VEHICLE INSTRUMENTATION
In order to be able to operate your vehicle safely, you must know the functions and locations
of all the interior mechanisms of your car.
Speedometer: it shows you speed in miles per hour or kilometers per hour. A needle bar
moves from left to right as speed increases and from right to left when the speed decreases.
Engine tachometer: it indicates the working speed of the engine in revolutions per minute.
Odometer: it measures the total distance that the vehicle has travelled since it was
manufactured. The distance is measured in either miles or kilometers.
Fuel content gauge: this indicates the level of fuel in the fuel tank when the starter switch is
on. The letter F and E indicates full and empty tank respectively.
Oil pressure gauge: it is an indication whether the oil pump is functioning normal.
Vehicle temperature: It indicates the temperature system of the engine or vehicle as a whole
(the letter C and H represents hot and cool)

USEFUL SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS


The driver even though has not been trained as a mechanic, he needs to have a fair idea of
the vehicle he is driving and as such needs to have some useful equipment and tools that
he/she can rely on in times of emergencies. These equipment includes
• Fire extinguisher
• First aid box
• Spare tyre
• Warning triangle
• Wheel spanner
• Set of spanners
• Jack

21
Spare tyre: it is a requirement by law to carry a spare tyre in your vehicle at all times. The
spare tyre should be in good order and same rim size as that of the vehicle.
Jack: it is an instrument that is used to lift the vehicle in case the vehicle develops a tyre
problem
Wheel spanner: it is used to loosen the nuts when there is the need to remove the tyre.
Set of spanners: this is to help the driver fix minor damages on the vehicle
Warning triangle: this is used to inform or warn other road users of the damage ahead. It is
normally places about 45-50 metres in front and behind the accident scene or site.

DRIVER AND VEHICLE LICENSEING AUTHORITY (DVLA)

N.R.S.C: The National Road Safety Commission is a state institution where they see to the
safety of the people nationwide.
Then to D.V.L.A
The Police: they happen to be the only security agency that enforces the laws on roads with
the driver.
The DVLA has a primary responsibility to ensure the road worthiness of vehicles and good
driving standards. Under the functions of vehicle inspection and registration, the authority
performs the following activities.
• New registration
• Change of ownership
• Conversion (private to commercial)
• Vehicle lay off
• Road worthiness
• Accident reports

TERM AND MEANINGS

Blind Sport: An area which is not seen by motorist in the mirror, (The interior or exterior
mirror) though they are properly adjusted.

Braking distance: The distance traveled by the vehicle from the time the motorist applies
the brakes until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.

Coasting: To move forward, in a vehicle without using the engine, usually downhill or
constantly depressing the clutch down whiles on top speed.
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Dual Carriageway: Is an example of a one way street consisting of two parallel roads which
allows vehicular movement in one direction on both sides. It is normally divided by a central
island.

Hand Shoulder: The area on the edge of a main roads.

Intersection: Is the meeting point between two or more roads.

Level Crossing: A place where a railway crossesthe road.

Pelican Crossing: It is traffic lights where you will see a person in a walking posture
embossed on the light. Where it is green, it means the pedestrian has the right way.

Toucan Crossing: There are traffic lights with a person and bicycle embossed respectively.
Such lights are called toucan crossing.

Tail Gate: This is when you follow a vehicle too closely while driving. (This is known in
the local parlance as bumper to bumper)

Two-Second Rule: A test to enable you determines your following distance while driving. It
demands locating a fixed object ahead of you and counting two seconds immediately the rare
of the lead vehicle passes the object. If you reach the object before you finish the count of
two, then you are driving too close to the lead vehicle. This ideal for dry surface. And Four
Second Rule which follows the same theory is ideal for wet surface.

Friction Point: Slightly decreasing the pressure on the clutch pedal to let it come back
as far as half of it. (Locally known as half clutch)

COAT : Concentration Observation Anticipation and Tolerance.

A.T.F. : Automatic Transmission Fluid.

A.B.S. : Anti-Locking Brake System.

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