Mission Heights - 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 or slowing down.
• 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.
• Hand Position - Move your hands and make big turns when needed. Don't drop your hands when slowing down. Don't twist your hands.
• Turning Bays and Flush Medians - You must use them and not interfere with traffic flow. Merge in and out when needed, and if safe just move through them. Be confident using them. Always indicate and check your blindspot.
• Stopping Distance - Stay further behind trucks and buses. Have a buffer zone around you. Have enough room to move around the vehicle in front of you.
• Following Distance - Double your following distance when behind trucks and buses. Have a buffer zone around you.
• 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.
• Give Way Signs / Gap Selection - Be Slow enough to give way. Don't stop for no reason. Be ready to move while waiting. Follow the give way rule not what other drivers tell you to do.
• Right Turns - Find the center of the road before turning, don't rush and don't cut the corners to turn.
• Left Turns - Check the bus / cycle lane before turning, the left blindspot and angle the car with the road. Be slow before turning and you must see 100meters on both sides.
• Merging / Lane Changing / Turning Bays - Must indicate and always check blindspots. Don't move suddenly or brake for no reason. Indicate till all 4 wheels are in the other lane. Must make it obvious that you are checking your blindspot.
• Sharp Corners / Curved Roads / Blind Corners - Keep left and roll around. Cover your brake but don't brake hard. Find the center of the road and keep on your side. If you can't see around the corner, an oncoming vehicle can't see you.
• 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.
• Narrow Roads - Indicate to pass parked cars, check blind spots and avoid bottlenecks.
• Keep Clear Zones - Avoid stopping on them. Look ahead. Don't stop across pedestrian crossings, block streets or entrances to car parks.
• Right Turns - Find the center of the road before turning, don't rush and don't cut the corners to turn.
• Left Turns - Check the bus / cycle lane before turning, the left blindspot and angle the car with the road. Be slow before turning and you must see 100meters on both sides.