Hills: Step 1

Unit Three Subject 8 - Hills: Step 1 - Introduction

Unit 3 - Basic Skills:
Home page

1 - Show/Tell:
1. Overview

2 - Drivers Eyesight:
1. Introduction
2. Eye checks
3. Eyesight problems
4. Project

3 - Cockpit Drill:
1. Introduction
2. The drill
3. Explanation

4 - Moving off:
1. Introduction
2. The basics
3. POM Introduction
4. Prepare
5. Observe
6. Move
7. Brake tests
8. Stopping
9. Summary
10. Project

5 - Using Gears:
1. Introduction
2. Observation
3. Selective gear changing
4. Smooth changes

6 - Hazard Routine:
1. Introduction
2. Easy starting point
3. Mirrors
4. Signals
5. Manoeuvre
6. Project

7 - Junctions:
1. Introduction
2. Emerging
3. Approaching
4. Approaching right
5. Crossroads
6. Roundabouts

8 - Hills:
1. Introduction
2. Downhill safety
3. Parking
4. Uphill starts
5. Downhill starts

9 - Emergency Stop:
1. Introduction
2. The method
3. Skids
4. The driving test
5. Project

DRIVING HOME PAGE

Hills

Generally speaking, most experienced drivers have no problems with hills and so this short section does not go into great detail.

The basic advice is use a lower gear... Going up to give you extra power, going down to assist the braking through engine compression.

Perhaps another obvious, but sometimes overlooked point about hills is that you can't see over the top of them! The image above shows a warning sign near the brow of a hill advising drivers of the hidden danger ahead, a bend on a steep downhill section of road.

The defensive driving advice about the brow of a hill is to treat it in the same way as you would treat a blind bend – be prepared for anything!

The final bit of general advice about hills is to respect them in poor weather conditions.

Many drivers get caught out on bends where there is a 'cross-fall' of water; water always follows the most straightforward path as it flows downhill, often when the road goes around a bend, the water goes straight on and flows across the road. This can be especially dangerous in the winter where sheets of ice can form on bends.

Next: Step 2 – Eco driving and descending hills safely.