ABC Manukau Lesson Notes

Key Points:

• Center Mirror Usage - Check the center mirror every 10-15 seconds on a straight road. Check the mirror before braking. 
• Blindspot Checks / Shoulder Checks -  You must check your left blindspot when moving to the left and right blindspot when moving to the right. Turn your head 90 degrees to the left or right. Don't twist your body, keep your chin up and look next to you.
• More Scanning / Searching Ahead - Activity search for potential hazards, try to see 100 meters on each side. Move your chin and move your head. Check all intersections. Don't lean forward while moving forward.
• Foot Position - Use only one foot when driving, push with your toes. Keep your heel on the ground.
• Following Distance - Double your following distance when behind trucks and buses. Have a buffer zone around you.
• Merging - Must make it obvious that you are checking your blindspot, indicate for 3 seconds.
• Gap Selection - You must take the first available gap when safe. Be ready before.
• Left Turns - Check the bus / cycle lane before turning, the left blindspot and angle the car with the road. Stay in your lane.
• Right Turns - Find the center before turning, don't rush and don't cut the corners to turn.
• Hand Position - Move your hands and make big turns when needed. Don't drop your hands when slowing down.
• Roundabouts - Must give way to cars on your right. Angle the car to the left and look for cover vehicles on your left. Alway indicate left before exiting.
• Car Park / Parking Bays - When leaving the carpark keep left and and stay on your side of the road. Indicate and check your blindspots before moving in or out.
• Lane Changing / Turning Bays - Must indicate and always check blindspots. Don't move suddenly. Indicate till all 4 wheels are in the other lane.
• 3 Point Turn - You must indicate right and check your right blindspot on the 3rd turn. Use the space around you.
• U Turn - keep left and recheck your right blindspot.
• Parallel Parking - Check and recheck your right blindspot. Indicate left before stopping and use the space behind you.
• Parking Curb-side - You must indicate and check your blindspot before braking. Vehicle must be under 30cm from the curb. Must be 6 meters from an intersection.
• Vehicle Position - Keep left reasonable, more left then right. You can drive over empty bus stops.