Vehicle Control & Handling Skills Flashcards

What is the correct procedure to teach students for negotiating a banked curve (superelevated road)?

Answer: Reduce speed before the curve entry and maintain steady throttle through it

Reducing speed before the curve and using steady throttle through it uses the bank to assist cornering while avoiding the speed-induced loss of traction.

When teaching space management, what does the CDT term 'zone control system' refer to?

Answer: Identifying and managing six zones of space around the vehicle to reduce hazard exposure

The zone control system identifies six spaces around the vehicle (front, rear, left, right, left-front, right-front) and teaches drivers to keep as many zones open as possible.

What is the correct technique for executing a three-point turn that a CDT instructor should demonstrate?

Answer: Signal, check traffic, turn sharply left across the road, reverse to the right curb, then pull forward

The three-point turn begins by pulling forward while turning sharply left, reversing toward the opposite curb, then driving forward in the new direction.

How should a CDT instructor explain the effect of load distribution on vehicle handling?

Answer: Improper load distribution alters weight over each axle, affecting traction, steering, and braking

Weight distribution directly influences how much traction each tire has, which in turn affects braking distances, steering response, and stability during cornering.

A student is practicing hill starts on a manual transmission vehicle and the car rolls back. What technique should the instructor teach to prevent rollback?

Answer: Apply the parking brake, bring the clutch to the friction point, add throttle, then release the parking brake

Using the parking brake to hold the vehicle while finding the clutch friction point and adding throttle allows a smooth hill start without rollback or stalling.

What is the primary hazard of 'target driving' on a straight road, where the student steers toward a fixed point far ahead?

Answer: It trains students to ignore nearby hazards in the immediate zone

While far-forward scanning is essential, fixating on a single target point can reduce awareness of hazards entering the immediate zone around the vehicle.

When teaching emergency evasive steering, why do instructors emphasize keeping thumbs on the outside of the steering wheel?

Answer: It prevents thumb injuries if the wheel kicks back during a sudden maneuver or curb strike

A sudden road irregularity or wheel impact can cause the steering wheel to spin forcefully; thumbs inside the spokes can be broken or dislocated.