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Question

Difficulty: HardTraffic Calming and Road Surfaces

You are driving behind another vehicle on a road that has recently been resurfaced with loose chippings. What actions should you take to maintain vehicle control and avoid causing damage to other road users?

  1. A
    Drive closely behind the leading vehicle so your tyres stay within the tracks it clears through the stones
  2. Reduce your speed well before hazards, increase your following distance, and avoid abrupt steering or harsh brakingAnswer
  3. C
    Coast in neutral when turning to eliminate engine torque and prevent the wheels from breaking traction
  4. D
    Apply sharp, firm braking when entering bends to force the tyres through the loose stones to the firmer layer below

Answer

Reduce your speed well before hazards, increase your following distance, and avoid abrupt steering or harsh braking
When driving over loose chippings, the road surface provides significantly less grip because loose stones roll under the tyres like ball bearings. Drivers must reduce their speed well before reaching bends or hazards, make all steering and braking inputs smoothly and progressively, and leave a much greater separation distance from the vehicle in front. Keeping well back compensates for the extended stopping distance on loose surfaces and protects your vehicle from flying stones thrown up by tyres ahead.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Recognise the physical hazards of loose chippings on the road surface
Understanding that loose stones reduce tyre grip and act as airborne projectiles
Loose chippings roll under the tyres, drastically increasing braking distances and presenting a projectile danger to surrounding vehicles
2
Adjust speed and separation distance in response to the reduced grip
Lower vehicle speed and an increased following distance
Lower speed minimises stone throw and reduces the risk of skidding, while extra following distance prevents windscreen damage and allows for longer stopping distances
3
Apply smooth and progressive control inputs for steering, braking, and accelerating
Stable tyre contact without sudden weight transfers or wheel lock-up
Sudden or aggressive inputs easily exceed the limited friction available on loose surfaces, provoking a loss of control

Key Concept

Vehicle stability, skid prevention, and following distance adjustments on loose road surfaces
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Traffic Calming and Road Surfaces

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