To drive safely, it is important to manage the space around your vehicle. You do this by controlling your speed, the position of your vehicle in the lane and communicating on the road.
In order to manage your space effectively you should be aware of the different road conditions when driving. These can be broadly divided three categories;
1. Open Condition – This is occurs in large areas where the driver can gets a clear broad view of the road and surroundings and there are no restrictions or obstacles blocking the view. In these conditions, it is easy to adjust speed and change lanes.
2. Closed Conditions – In this case, there is limited space and the driver’s view is also restricted due to various obstructions such as trees, buildings and other vehicles blocking the view.
3. Changing Conditions - This occurs where there are changes in the speed limit, road surface conditions, the width of the lane, visibility influenced by the weather or the time of the day and the traffic flow.
All these are conditions that may be unpredictable or may need specific actions by the driver. In all the above-mentioned conditions, the driver has to maintain an appropriate space around the vehicle for safe driving. This is the space envelope.
To manage space
• Drive at the same speed as the vehicles around you in traffic.
• Maintain a safe following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.
Space Recovery
When you realize that there is insufficient space in front of the vehicle.
• Signal so that the vehicles around you know that you intend to slow down.
• Turn slowly to give yourself and other drivers more space to avoid problems.
• Be aware of the size and weight of oncoming vehicles, give then room to pass but do not reverse as this will affect the vehicles behind you.
• Ensure that you have sufficient space to get across or join a lane.
In order to manage your space effectively you should be aware of the different road conditions when driving. These can be broadly divided three categories;
1. Open Condition – This is occurs in large areas where the driver can gets a clear broad view of the road and surroundings and there are no restrictions or obstacles blocking the view. In these conditions, it is easy to adjust speed and change lanes.
2. Closed Conditions – In this case, there is limited space and the driver’s view is also restricted due to various obstructions such as trees, buildings and other vehicles blocking the view.
3. Changing Conditions - This occurs where there are changes in the speed limit, road surface conditions, the width of the lane, visibility influenced by the weather or the time of the day and the traffic flow.
All these are conditions that may be unpredictable or may need specific actions by the driver. In all the above-mentioned conditions, the driver has to maintain an appropriate space around the vehicle for safe driving. This is the space envelope.
To manage space
• Drive at the same speed as the vehicles around you in traffic.
• Maintain a safe following distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you.
Space Recovery
When you realize that there is insufficient space in front of the vehicle.
• Signal so that the vehicles around you know that you intend to slow down.
• Turn slowly to give yourself and other drivers more space to avoid problems.
• Be aware of the size and weight of oncoming vehicles, give then room to pass but do not reverse as this will affect the vehicles behind you.
• Ensure that you have sufficient space to get across or join a lane.
