Objectives: You should be able to identify a safe place to stop, applying the MSPSL routine on the approach. Try to do this with due regard and safety for other road users, finishing parallel and close to the kerb. Once you have stopped, secure the vehicle using the handbrake.
Selecting a safe place to stop
There are lots of areas that are unsafe to stop and your instructor will go through these with you throughout your learning to drive experience. Below are a few examples of areas you should avoid:
- Clearway – no stopping (see sign to the right)
- Hazard lines
- Double yellow lines
- Parking within 10 meters of a junction (3 car lengths)
- Parking opposite a junction
- Blocking driveways or pathways
- Parking on bends
MSPSL
Once you have identified a safe place to stop, then you need to apply the Mirrors, Signal, Position, Speed, Look routine.
Mirrors: Interior and left door mirror. What is behind you and beside you. Would a signal benefit ?
Signal: In good time, if it will benefit other road users. Be careful of signalling too early – for example, before passing a road on the left.
Position: Your instructor may give you a focal point on the front of the car to line up with the kerb if needed (this will help you to judge the kerb better) or you can glance in your left door mirror regularly for updates. You should look like you’re a drain’s width from the kerb when you glance in the left door mirror.
Speed: Start braking gently; you don’t want to surprise other road users. Just before the engine revs go too low or the engine starts to judder, push your clutch down fully. This will prevent you from stalling. Once your clutch is down fully, then gradually increase the pressure on the brake pedal until the car is about to stop. To avoid any lurching before you stop, come off the brake around 1-2mm usually and then re-apply the brake once car has lost momentum.
After stopping:
- Apply your handbrake fully, then select neutral.
- Cancel your signal and rest your feet.
Tips
Be careful of pushing the clutch down too early – this is called coasting. When you come off the gas, the car progressively slows down – this is called engine braking. If you come off the gas and immediately press the clutch down, you’re disconnecting the engine braking, so the car may start to increase in speed, especially on bends or downhills.
