Unit 3 - Drive in an Orderly Traffic System

back to top

Safe driving procedures are drills [psychomotor
actions] that take care of basic driving functions. In competent drivers these are developed as habits freeing the driver's conscious attention for other tasks.

3.1.1 Before vehicle is moved laterally, mirrors are checked and signals are used.

Mirrors should be used in conjunction with signals. This means mirrors are checked less than 5 seconds before the signals are activated and no more than 1 second after;

signals should operate for a minimum of 30 metres before commencing manoeuvre and remain on until manoeuvre is completed; and

signals must be turned off within at least three flashes of completing the manoeuvre.

3.1.2 Before vehicle enters any zone where something could cause the driver to slow or stop, mirrors are checked, speed is adjusted and appropriate gear changes are completed.

Mirrors should be used in conjunction with brakes. This means mirrors are checked less than 5 seconds before the brakes are applied and no more than 1 second after.

3.1.3 Before vehicle is turned at an intersection, mirrors are checked, signals are used, speed is adjusted and appropriate gear changes are completed.

Mirrors should be used in conjunction with signals. This means mirrors are checked less than 5 seconds before the signals are activated and no more than 1 second after;

signals should operate for a minimum of 30 metres before commencing manoeuvre and remain on until manoeuvre is completed; and

signals must be turned off within at least three flashes of completing the manoeuvre.

3.1.4 Before vehicle enters a curve, mirrors are used in conjunction with required braking and appropriate gear changes are completed.

Mirrors should be used in conjunction with brakes. This means mirrors are checked less than 5 seconds before the brakes are applied and no more than 1 second after.

Appropriate gear change means:

• Selecting the right gear for the road speed and could include skip changing.

Skip changing means:

• Not sequentially changing through the gear range.

3.1.5 Before overtaking, mirrors are checked, signals are used, speed is adjusted and appropriate gear changes are completed. After overtaking mirrors are checked and signals used.

Mirrors should be used in conjunction with signals.

This means:

• mirrors are checked less than 5 seconds before the signals are activated and no more than 1 second after.

Overtaking in this case applies to:

• Overtaking on the off side on a two-way section of road.

Appropriate gear change means:

• Selecting the right gear for the road speed and could include skip changing.

Skip changing means:

• Not sequentially changing through the gear range.

back to top

3.2.1 A route for the journey is selected.

Navigation at this level deals with identifying designated routes [including those nominated on a permit] and determining the one which is most appropriate. Navigation in this sense does not necessarily involve the use of maps, it may be based on experience.

3.2.2 Information signs, geographical and physical features are used in navigation.

Navigation at this level deals with navigation during a journey, bridge height weight and width are critical physical features, but it particularly applies in cases where a driver is not familiar with driving in the area. This criterion may be difficult to assess where the driver is familiar with the environment.

Often identifying and interpreting signs need to be done while moving in traffic, this should be considered in the assessment.

Literacy is not the key feature of this criterion, rather it is the interpretation of information.

3.2.3 Immediate desired route is matched to road signs and markings.

Navigation at this level deals with lane selection.

3.2.4 If a navigation error occurs the route is legally and safely adjusted.

Contingencies are required for legally and safely returning to a designated route.

Legally means:

• Any routes selected must approved for the operation of heavy combination vehicles.

back to top

Successful negotiation of the road and traffic system demands that the driver be able to apply road rules, perform driving procedures, navigate, identify and process information and make timely decisions. Competent drivers integrate these attributes into an efficient mental 'program' [cognitive schema].

Competent drivers have mental 'programs' for an extremely wide range of driving situations. It is not possible to list these here. This element looks at the performance of the driver in three environments, which are then further subdivided according to the information processing demands each would require of an experienced driver.
It should be noted that observation - a crucial attribute - is not covered in the performance criteria because it is a process and not an outcome - good driving infers good observation.

3.3.1 Complies with the road rules whilst driving in the road traffic system.

This criterion applies to all driving situations whether covered by other criteria or not.

3.3.2 A built up area with limited road user interactions is negotiated and timely responses made.

Timely means the driver:

• is able to respond and complete manoeuvres in a smooth and steady manner; or
• does not have to employ contingencies as a result of late planning or decision making.

Limited road user interaction means an environment where:

• driving requires judgements only in relation to road user movements from one direction at a time;
• accurate gap selection is not essential for a safe outcome;
• there is not a significant speed differential in traffic travelling in the driver's direction; or
• it is a real possibility that there will be a need for complex decisions about road obstructions, surface, radius or gradient.

The limiting factor in this performance criterion is the amount of information processing required of the driver and the complexity of decisions. Multi lane intersections controlled by traffic lights for example could fit into this category very early in the morning when there is little traffic about.

Locations include:

• all those that could normally be encountered by a heavy-combination vehicle in a built up area.

3.3.3 A built up area with significant road user interaction is negotiated and timely responses made.

Timely means the driver:

• is able to respond and complete manoeuvres in a smooth and steady manner; or
• does not have to employ contingencies as a result of late planning or decision making.

Significant road user interaction means an environment where:

• driving requires judgements in relation to road user movements from more than one direction at a time;
• accurate gap selection is critical for safe outcomes;
• there are significant speed differentials in traffic travelling in the driver's direction; or
• it is a real possibility that there will be a need for complex decisions about road obstructions, surface, radius or gradient.

The important factor in this performance criterion is the amount of information processing required of the driver and the complexity of decisions, not solely the number of other road users in the traffic system. A normally quiet road may at times require high levels of information processing and complex decisions.

Locations include:

• all those that could normally be encountered by a heavy-combination vehicle in a built up area.

3.3.4 A rural area with limited road user interaction or road variation is negotiated and timely responses made.

Timely means the driver:

• is able to respond and complete manoeuvres in a smooth and steady manner; or
• does not have to employ contingencies as a result of late planning or decision making.

Limited road user interaction or road variation means an environment where:

• driving requires judgements in relation to road user movements from only one direction at a time;
• accurate gap selection is not essential for a safe outcome;
• there is not a significant speed differential in traffic travelling in the same direction; or
• there will still be a real possibility that there will be a need for complex decisions about road obstructions, surface, radius or gradient.

The limiting factor in this performance criterion is the amount of information processing required of the driver and the complexity of decisions, not the number of other road users in the area or the type of road system.

Locations include:

• All those that could normally be encountered by a heavy-combination vehicle in a rural area.

3.3.5 A rural area with significant road user interaction and reasonable probability of road variation is negotiated and timely responses made.

Timely means the driver:

• is able to respond and complete manoeuvres in a smooth and steady manner; or
• does not have to employ contingencies as a result of late planning or decision making.

Significant road user interaction and reasonable probability of road variation means an environment where:

• driving requires judgements in relation to road user movements from more than one direction at a time;
• accurate gap selection is critical for safe outcomes;
• there are significant speed differentials in traffic travelling in the driver's direction; or
• it is a real possibility that there will be a need for complex decisions about road obstructions, surface, radius or gradient.

The important factor in this performance criterion is the amount of information processing required of the driver and the complexity of decisions, not the number of other road users in the traffic system. A normally quiet rural road may at times require high levels of information processing and complex decisions.

Locations include:

• All those that could normally be encountered by a heavy-combination vehicle in a rural area.

3.3.6 Special driving situations are negotiated and timely responses made.

Special driving situations include:

• highways requiring long distance driving;
• remote driving on sealed and unsealed roads; or
• road works.

Timely means the driver:

• is able to respond and complete manoeuvres in a smooth and steady manner; or
• does not have to employ contingencies as a result of late planning or decision making.

back to top

The criteria in this element have been documented to expand the previous element. Each criterion nominates driving tasks and events that warrant special attention because they are either non-routine or they require very accurate judgement. >

3.4.1 Driving manoeuvres in traffic are completed in a legal and timely manner.

Driving manoeuvres include:

• entering/leaving traffic stream from parked position or truck bay;
• lane changing;
• merging;
• entering or leaving multi lane roads; or
• overtaking.

Timely means the driver:

• is able to respond and complete manoeuvres in a smooth and steady manner; or
• does not have to employ contingencies as a result of late planning or decision making.

3.4.2 Special events are responded to in a legal and timely manner.

Special events could include:

• emergency vehicles;
• obstructions;
• road works;
• significant changes in road surface;
• bridges; or
• animals.

Timely means the driver:

• is able to respond and complete manoeuvres in a smooth and steady manner; or
• does not have to employ contingencies as a result of late planning or decision making.

3.4.3 Pedestrians are responded to in a legal and timely manner.

Pedestrians may be:

• between or near parked vehicles;
• on footpath;
• on median strip;
• on road way; or
• at crossings.

Timely means the driver:

• is able to respond and complete manoeuvres in a smooth and steady manner; or
• does not have to employ contingencies as a result of late planning or decision making.

3.4.4 Low speed vehicles are responded to in a legal and timely manner.

Low speed vehicle could include:

• cyclists;
• skateboarders/roller bladers;
• mopeds;
• powered wheelchairs; and
• tractors or other plant machinery.

Timely means the driver:

• is able to respond and complete manoeuvres in a smooth and steady manner; or
• does not have to employ contingencies as a result of late planning or decision making.

back to top

Competent drivers can interact and co-operate with
other drivers to assist traffic flow. Their actions do not surprise other drivers or cause other drivers unnecessary inconvenience.

3.5.1 Driver's actions do not cause alterations in normal driving behaviour of other road users.

Normal driving behaviour means:

• Other drivers and road users [complying with road rules] should not have to brake, accelerate, change direction or otherwise change their behaviour significantly to accommodate this driver's actions.

Situations could involve:

• selecting gaps in traffic on an intersecting road;
• moving into the traffic stream;
• merging;
• changing lanes; and
• overtaking.

3.5.2 Co-operation with other road users is shown.

Situations requiring co-operation would include merging, lane changing, vehicles entering traffic [especially in busy conditions], assisting others when they have 'got it wrong' [e.g.. Attempting a U-turn without sufficient room], waiting for pedestrian stragglers on crossings.

3.5.3 When responding to situations that may require adjusting speed, brakes and accelerator are regulated early and smoothly.

This performance criterion is essentially a smooth driving and conservation measure for fuel and brakes.

Situations could include:

• traffic lights in the distance turn red;
• hills and curves; and
• approach to slower moving traffic.

back to top

3.6.1 Speed is adjusted so that stopping distance is within limit of clear visibility.

3.6.2 Headlights are used effectively.

• Headlights must be dipped within 200 metres of approaching vehicles or immediately the headlights of the approaching vehicle are dipped or when driving a minimum of 200 metres behind another vehicle.
• At night drivers should use high and low beams to their advantage while avoiding unnecessary discomfort to other road users.
• Headlights should be dipped at crests of hills, intersections and before corners to assist in detecting other road users.
• In poor light conditions during the day, lights should be turned on to make the vehicle more conspicuous.

3.6.3 At night when responding to glare, speed, position and mirrors are adjusted and eyes are directed to the appropriate zone.

Appropriate zone is to the left of the road.

3.6.4 For night driving, vehicle is prepared for driving in darkness, windscreen clean, lights operating and correctly adjusted.

back to top