How long does a truck take to stop?
Your family car probably weighs around 2000kg all up with you, a passenger and its fuel. It has four wheels in contact with the road – small rubber patches, no bigger than the size of a CD case (remember those?).…
Advice Resources
What are the speed limits at roadworks?
Roadworks are areas of the road where either the road is being repaired, part of the road’s shoulder or road furniture is being repaired (e.g. barriers), or works are occurring on services such as water or power. They are usually…
When shouldn’t you overtake or pass another vehicle?
Overtaking or passing means getting by another road user ahead of you that is either travelling slower or has stopped. The reasons for not overtaking are different for different types of road. Road markings often indicate to you when you…
How long should a truck tyre last before it needs to be replaced?
Before we can start to answer the question, we need to look at how tyre wear occurs. Tyre wear is the process by which rubber is worn from the tyre and it reduces the depth of the tyre’s tread. The…
Why is your car or truck accelerating more slowly?
There are six main categories of problems that cause your vehicle to accelerate more slowly than you’re used to: mechanical, aerodynamic, load, road, weather and driver. Some of them mean you should get your vehicle checked by a mechanic, while…
Does a driver need to carry a spill kit?
Drivers that are carrying hazardous chemicals where there is a risk of spilling should carry a spill kit in their vehicle. The purpose of a spill kit is to stop spilt chemicals entering stormwater drains or somewhere they’ll soak into…
How do you assess driver risk in your company?
The health and safety risks associated with driving can be broken down into six categories: Vehicle Health and wellbeing Compliance Cognitive ability and attitude Environmental Management Each of the risk categories have questions that should be asked to assess a…
What to do if you get a chip or crack in your windscreen
A windscreen is a piece of laminated glass that protects the occupants from stones, insects, birds, animals and the weather. The laminate consists of a layer of glass, an interlayer of plastic and another layer of glass. This interlayer prevents…
What type of roads increase the risk of rollover accidents?
A rollover accident is where a vehicle either tips on its side or completely rolls onto its roof (or further). To achieve this, the vehicle must become unstable enough and have a high enough centre of gravity. Heavy vehicle drivers…
What are class 2, 3, 4 and 5 trucks?
Many drivers refer to trucks as a ‘class 2 truck’ or a ‘class 4 truck’. Trucks in New Zealand aren’t defined by class, they are defined by type (see below). However, the driver’s licence required to drive them, e.g. a…
Can you put a soundbar in your car?
Soundbars are popular these days mostly because of their portability and the sound quality they can provide. However, they are mostly used in a home theatre setup in the living room. Some soundbars even have subwoofers of their own, which…
How to safely carry things in your car
There are good places to carry items in your car and bad places. The boot Other than a trailer, a boot is by far the safest place to carry items, although there are things to be aware of if you…
Tips for driving through New Zealand when on holiday
If you are visiting New Zealand from Australia (or any other country) a road trip is the best way to discover parts of the country you won’t find on the first page of Google! While the country is small, it…
How to coach a new driver
Learning to drive is an exciting journey and the start of a process that leads to greater independence for a young driver. For the parents and other family members who get roped in to coach the new driver, the excitement…
How you can learn more about a car’s past
Used cars come with a plethora of benefits, hence no wonder the second-hand market is growing worldwide. With tons of options at their fingertips, people are more focused on negotiating the best possible price and often overlook such an important…
Where can I take my used engine oil?
If you want to save some money, you can do some basic car maintenance. Changing your oil is one of the easier tasks, but you’ll need to dispose of the used engine oil. Can you dispose of used oil for…
What is considered an unsafe lane change?
There are many reasons why car accidents happen, but unsafe driving practices are the root of most of them. That can include practices like speeding, distracted driving, or driving while intoxicated. Another common cause of vehicle accidents is unsafe lane…
What three things should you consider before buying a new vehicle?
There are several reasons why you may already need a new vehicle but getting a new one can prove to be overwhelming – so much choice and so much versatility has never existed before in the marketplace, and vehicles tens…
Why is so much carbon dioxide produced when burning fuel?
It’s true: you burn a litre of diesel which weighs around 840g, but you end up with 2.64kg of carbon dioxide. Petrol is similar – 720g per litre, but 2.35kg of CO2. Why is this? It’s related to what happens…
How to easily protect your car from adverse weather conditions
Your car is probably one of your most valuable possessions. For it to stay in tip-top shape and give you a better service for longer, proper maintenance is not optional. Harsh weather is among the various factors affecting a car’s…
Vehicle and workplace training
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