NSW Log Book 17. Driving In Adverse Conditions

NSW Log Book 17. Driving In Adverse Conditions

Learning Content

Gain experience driving in adverse conditions such as wet weather, fog, snow and ice

Learning Content

Review use of windscreen wipers and demisters

Give extra attention to road surface conditions

Increase following distance from three seconds to four or more

Reduced visibility

Reduced tyre grip requires smoother acceleration, braking and cornering

Increased oberservation of pedestrians required

Increased crash avoidance space required to respond to hazards so set up earlier

Reduce speed to repond to the changing conditions

Facts and Tips
A common crash for provisional drivers is to leave the road on a curve. This can occur in wet weather when tyre grip is reduced. Take extra care when driving on wet roads

NSW Log Book 16. Driving At Night

NSW Log Book 16. Driving At Night

Learning Goal

Gain experience driving at night.

Learning Content
Using the headlights

Using high beam

Use of driving/fog lights

Vision restrictions at night

Avoiding headlight glare from another vehicles, use of anti glare mirror adjustment

Reducing speed when vision is reduced

Facts and Tips
Night driving is a high risk time for provisional driver crashes. Gaining experience now will reduce the risk of a crash in the future.
Fog lights may only be used in situations with limited vision { fog, rain, smoke} . You must turn fog lights off once conditions improve.

NSW Log Book 14. Decision Making

NSW Log Book 14. Decision Making

Learning Goal

Make safe decisions when joining or crossing traffic, lane changing or proceeding at traffic lights

Learning Content

Left turn decisions

Right turn decisions

Turn across path decisions

Lane change decisions

Check for traffic when moving off from traffic lights

Facts and Tips
Poor decisions at intersections are a leading cause of crashes, especially for provisional drivers. Gaining as much experience as possible with this skill can reduce the risk of future crashes.
A safe gap is one in which you do not cause other drivers to slow down or move to avoid you. When you are crossing traffic you should clear its path with plenty of time to spare –  at least three seconds.
Before you start, refresh your knowledge of give way and merging rules.

 

 

NSW Log Book 13. Road Positioning

NSW Log Book 13. Road Positioning

Learning Goal

Maintain crash avoidance space to the sides of the vehicle by selecting appro[riate road positions

Learning Content

Buffering at least one metre from oncoming traffic and parked vehicles

Move to the left on crest and curves

Avoid driving in the blindspots of other drivers

Facts and Tips
Buffering means to create space to the sides of the vehicle by using the available space to the sides of the vehicle to move away from hazards.

NSW Log Book 12. Speed Management

NSW Log Book 12. Speed Management

Learning Goal

Maintain crash avoidance space to the front of the vehicle  by managing the vehicle speed

Learning Content

Set and maintain a three second gap from the vehicle ahead

Increase gap and reduce speed in poor conditions

Keep about a car lenght from the vehicle in front when stopped behind it

Reduce speed when vision is limited { crests and curves}

Reduce speed when it is not possible to create space { buffer} from parked or oncoming vehicles

Maintain traffic flow

Facts and Tips
Maintaining space from the vehicle in front reduces the risk of rear end crashes which is the most common cras for provisionsl drivers

NSW Log Book. Low Risk Driving

NSW Log Book. Low Risk Driving

Low risk driving is consciously choosing to apply driving behaviours that can significantly reduce the risk of crashing.

Learning Goals.

Speed management

Road positioning

Decision making

Responding to hazards

Where To Go
At this stage it is important to include a wide variety of learning environments. Remember however, that as new skills are taught it may be better to begin in a quieter environment and then increase traffic volume as confidence grows. Try to:
– Use a wide range of environments
– Continue to use back streets as many hazards are still present {eg small children}
– If you haven’t done so already, start to venture into some unfamiliar environments.

 

NSW Log Book 11. Changing Lanes

NSW Log Book 11. Changing Lanes

Learning Goal
Safely and legally change lanes, merge, diverge and overtake other vehicles.

Learning Content

Meaning of lane lines: safe and legal places to change lanes and overtake.

Selecting a safe gap to change lanes.

Lane changing procedure
– Check mirrors
– Signal intention
– Check blindspot
– Steer

Merging

Overtaking vehicles { same procedure as lane change but judgement of oncoming traffic required.}

Reduce speed to respond to the changing conditions.

Facts and Tips
Supervising drivers will need to assist with gap selection when lane changing or merging.
Learners may begin to steer the car whilst they are checking their blindspot. Supervising drivers will need to watch for this behavior.
Initial overtaking should be practised by overtaking stationary vehicles in quiet streets. Passing slow moving vehicles in the left lane can be used to illustrate the distance required to overtake.

NSW Log Book 10. Complex Traffic

NSW Log Book 10. Complex Traffic

Leaarning Goal.
Safely and legally drive in medium high density, complex traffic situations.

Learning Content.

Using lanes including meanings of lane markings and types of lanes { bus lanes, transit lanes etc}

Intersection observation including mirror checks and intersecting traffic.

Complex intersections including marked turn lanes.

Multi-lane roundabouts.

Complex traffic lights with turn arrows { can include bus lights etc}

Other road rules { lane markings, edge lines, advisory signs etc }

School zones, pedestrian and children’s crossing.

Facts and Tips
Review the Road Users Handbook about sharing the road with pedestrians, motorcycles and heavy vehicles.

Remember to gradually progress to more complex traffic situations. Avoid higher speed complex situations at this stage, for example motorways.

Supervising drivers may still need to assist with gap selection when joining or crossing traffic.

Pull over to the side of the road in a safe location and discuss various situations and rules before they are encountered.

Return to a quieter area if traffic becomes too heavy to cope with.

Before you start driving in complex traffic refresh your knowledge of give way and turning rules.

NSW Log Book 9. Parking

NSW Log Book 9. Parking

Learning Goal.

Park the vehicle safely and legally.

Learning Content.

Reverse parallel parking.

Angle parking {45, 60 and 90 degrees}:
– Front to kerb
– Rear to kerb

Observation during manoeuvres {blindspots and block outs}

Positioning the vehicle:
– Distance from the kerb
– Distance from other vehicles

Legal requirements for parking.

Facts and Tips
In the driving test you will randomly allocated either; a three point turn, a reverse parallel park, a 45, 60 or 90 degree, front or rear to kerb angle park, so you will need to learn and practice each one.

You should aim to complete your manoeuvres in less than five direction changes.

Practice in quiet areas until you become more confident with your abiilty to position the car accurately.

When rejoining the fraffic you must:
-Check your mirrors
-Signal for at least five seconds
– Check your blindspots before sterring.

 

 

NSW Log Book 8. Simple Traffic

NSW Log Book 8. Simple Traffic

Learning Goal.
Safely and legally drive in low to medium density, simple traffic situations.

Learning Content.

Stop, Give Way signs and T intersection rules.

Intersection observation and including mirror checks and intersecting trafiic.

Correct road position for approach and exit turns at intersections .

Signalling for a turn.

Single lane roundabouts.

Simple traffic lights {No turn arrows}.

Other road rules {lane markings, edge lines,advisory signs etc}

Maintain a three second following distance behind other vehicles.

Facts and tips
Review the Road Users Handbook about sharing the road with pedestrians, motorcycles and heavy vehicles.
Begin now with simple, quiet intersections { single lane, light traffic} and gradually progress to busier more complex ones.
Choose roads with few pedestrians about.
Begin to include single lane roundabouts in your driving.
Supervising drivers may still need to assist with gap selection when joining or crossing traffic.
Pull over to the side of the road and discuss various situations and rules before they are encountered.
If practical, you must indicate left when leaving a roundabout.