Traffic signsUnited Kingdom

An airbag is an inflatable vehicle safety device designed to help protect occupants during certain types of collision.

Sensors detect collision conditions and, when the system determines that deployment is required, the airbag inflates extremely quickly to provide additional protection between the occupant and parts of the vehicle interior.

No. Airbags are supplemental restraints and are designed to work together with seat belts. Occupants should always wear their seat belts where required.

Vehicles may have front airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, knee airbags and other specialised airbags. The number and location depend on the vehicle design.

No. Airbag systems are designed to deploy only when sensors detect collision conditions for which deployment is intended. Different airbags may deploy in different types of crashes.

Yes. A rear-facing child restraint must not be placed in front of an active frontal passenger airbag because deployment can cause severe injury. The airbag must be deactivated where the vehicle and local rules permit such installation.

Some vehicles allow the front passenger airbag to be deactivated, particularly when a rear-facing child restraint must be installed there. Follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions carefully.

An illuminated airbag or SRS warning light can indicate a fault in the restraint system. The system should be checked and repaired according to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.

No. A deployed airbag is normally a single-use component and must be replaced together with any other affected restraint-system components before the system can function correctly again.

Occupants should use a normal, correctly adjusted seating position and avoid placing themselves unnecessarily close to the airbag cover. Follow the seating and steering-wheel adjustment guidance provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

ABS helps prevent the wheels from locking during heavy braking. By controlling wheel slip, it helps the driver retain steering control while braking strongly.

Apply firm, continuous pressure to the brake pedal and keep steering as necessary. Pulsing or vibration through the pedal is normal while ABS is regulating the braking pressure.

No. The main purpose of ABS is to prevent wheel lock and help maintain vehicle control. Actual stopping distance still depends on speed, tyres, road surface, weather and other conditions.

ESP helps maintain vehicle stability when it detects that the vehicle is beginning to deviate from the driver's intended direction. It can selectively brake individual wheels and may reduce engine power to help restore control.

ESP and ESC refer to the same general type of electronic stability-control system. ESP means Electronic Stability Program, while ESC means Electronic Stability Control. Vehicle manufacturers may also use other names for similar systems.

No. ESP can assist in maintaining stability, but it cannot overcome the physical limits of tyre grip. Excessive speed, worn tyres, ice or other very slippery conditions can still cause a vehicle to lose control.

Traction control detects excessive wheel spin during acceleration and intervenes to help the driven wheels regain grip. Depending on the vehicle, it can reduce engine power or apply braking to individual wheels.

It is particularly useful when accelerating on surfaces with limited grip, such as wet roads, snow, ice, mud or loose gravel.

Traction control primarily limits wheel spin during acceleration. ESP or ESC has a broader function and helps stabilise the vehicle when it begins to deviate from the driver's intended direction. The systems commonly share wheel-speed sensors and braking components.

A helmet is protective headgear designed to reduce the risk and severity of head injury if a rider falls or is involved in a collision.

Helmet requirements depend on the vehicle and local traffic law. Motorcyclists and moped riders commonly have compulsory helmet requirements, while bicycle rules vary between countries.

No. Motorcycle and bicycle helmets are designed and tested for different conditions and are subject to different safety standards. Use a helmet approved for the type of vehicle concerned.

Yes, where required. Passengers on motorcycles, mopeds and certain other vehicles are generally exposed to the same head-injury risks as the rider and may be subject to the same helmet requirement.

A helmet should fit securely and comfortably without excessive movement. It should be worn and fastened according to the manufacturer's instructions.

A helmet that has suffered a significant impact or has visible structural damage may no longer provide its intended protection and should normally be inspected or replaced.

No. Where motorcycle helmets are regulated, the helmet must comply with the applicable approval or safety standard. A recreational or ordinary bicycle helmet is generally not an acceptable substitute.

No. Some countries require helmets for all cyclists, others only for particular age groups or types of bicycle, and some recommend them without making them compulsory.

They may. Because speed pedelecs can travel considerably faster than ordinary bicycles, some countries require an approved moped helmet or a bicycle helmet satisfying additional requirements.

No. A helmet provides additional protection but does not replace safe speed, observation, correct road position, appropriate clothing or compliance with traffic rules.

A bicycle helmet is designed to absorb part of the impact energy during a fall or collision and help reduce the risk and severity of head injuries.

The helmet should fit snugly, sit level on the head and be secured with the retention strap. It should not move excessively when the cyclist moves their head.

No. Helmet requirements vary between countries and may also depend on the cyclist's age or the type of bicycle being used. Riders should check the rules that apply where they are cycling.

Hands-free means using a communication device without holding it. Calls can be handled through a vehicle system, headset, earphones, voice control or another permitted system.

No. Even when the driver does not physically handle the phone, a conversation or interaction with a device can reduce attention to traffic. Drivers should keep such use to a minimum.

No. Holding a telephone while calling is not hands-free use. Whether handheld or mounted-device use is legally permitted depends on the traffic rules of the country.

Using a smartphone can take the driver's eyes off the road, hands away from the controls and attention away from traffic. Reading messages, typing or selecting apps can therefore significantly increase distraction.

It may be permitted when the device is properly mounted and used according to local traffic rules. The route should preferably be programmed before starting the journey and interaction with the screen should be kept to a minimum.

No. Hands-free operation removes the need to hold the device but conversations, navigation changes and other interactions can still distract the driver.

A GPS navigation system determines the vehicle's position and uses digital map information to calculate routes and provide directions towards a destination.

No. Traffic signs, signals, road closures and actual road conditions take priority over navigation instructions. A driver remains responsible for choosing a legal and safe route.

It is safer to enter the destination and adjust the route before starting the journey. If significant changes are needed, stop in a safe and permitted place rather than becoming distracted while driving.

The brakes allow the driver to reduce speed and stop the vehicle in a controlled manner. A separate parking brake is normally used to keep the vehicle stationary after it has stopped.

Warning signs can include reduced braking performance, unusual noises, vibration, a soft or unusually hard brake pedal, pulling to one side or a brake-system warning light. A suspected brake problem should be inspected promptly.

Yes. Prolonged or repeated heavy braking can cause brake fade, reducing braking effectiveness. On long descents, appropriate gear selection and engine braking can help reduce excessive use of the service brakes.

The handbrake or parking brake keeps a stationary vehicle from rolling after it has been parked. It is particularly important when parking on a slope.

No. Traditional parking brakes use a hand-operated lever, but some vehicles use a foot pedal or an electronic switch. These systems perform the same basic parking-brake function.

Yes. The parking brake should normally be applied whenever the vehicle is parked so that it remains securely stationary. Selecting an appropriate gear or transmission position provides additional security but does not replace the parking brake.

Brake fluid transmits hydraulic pressure from the driver's brake input to the braking mechanisms at the wheels, allowing the vehicle to slow or stop.

No. The correct specification depends on the vehicle and braking system. Drivers should use only the brake fluid specified by the vehicle manufacturer and should not mix incompatible types.

A low level can indicate brake-system wear, a leak or another problem. If the level is below the specified minimum or a brake warning light appears, the braking system should be checked promptly.

Tyres are the vehicle's contact with the road and transmit the forces required for steering, acceleration and braking. Their condition and available grip therefore directly affect vehicle control.

Regularly check tyre pressure, tread depth and general condition. Look for excessive or uneven wear, cuts, cracks, bulges or other damage and replace tyres when they are no longer safe or legally compliant.

Requirements vary between countries, but tyres fitted to the same axle should be compatible in dimensions, construction and performance. National rules may impose specific matching requirements.

205 indicates the nominal tyre width in millimetres, 55 is the aspect ratio between sidewall height and tyre width, R indicates radial construction and 16 indicates the diameter of the wheel rim in inches.

The number is the load index, which identifies the maximum load the tyre is designed to carry under specified conditions. The letter is the speed rating or speed-category symbol, which indicates the tyre's approved speed capability.

Tyres can carry additional markings indicating approval, manufacturer information, production date, suitability for winter conditions, reinforced construction or other technical characteristics. The exact markings depend on the tyre type and applicable standards.

Winter tyres use tread patterns and rubber compounds designed to provide better performance in cold temperatures, snow and other winter conditions. Summer tyres are optimised primarily for warmer conditions.

The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol identifies a tyre that has met specified performance requirements for use in severe snow conditions. It provides a more specific indication of tested snow performance than an M+S marking alone.

No. Some countries require winter tyres during particular months or whenever winter conditions occur, while others have no general requirement. Drivers travelling abroad should check the rules of every country on their route.

Correct tyre pressure helps provide predictable handling, braking and tyre wear. Incorrect pressure can reduce performance, increase tyre wear and increase fuel consumption.

Use the pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer rather than the maximum pressure marked on the tyre. The recommended values can normally be found in the vehicle handbook or on a vehicle information label.

Yes. Tyres gradually lose air over time, so their pressure should be checked regularly and before demanding or long journeys. The pressure should be adjusted to the manufacturer's recommended value.

Snow chains increase traction when driving on roads covered with snow or ice. They can help a vehicle accelerate, steer and brake where ordinary tyre grip is insufficient.

Snow chains are normally fitted to the driven wheels, but the correct arrangement depends on the vehicle and its drivetrain. Drivers should follow the vehicle and chain manufacturer's instructions.

No. Requirements vary between countries and roads. Some countries require chains to be carried during certain periods or fitted when indicated by traffic signs or winter conditions, while others impose no general requirement.

Bicycle tyres provide the grip needed for steering and braking and help absorb irregularities in the road surface. Worn, damaged or incorrectly inflated tyres can reduce control and increase the risk of a puncture or loss of grip.

Check the tyre for adequate pressure, excessive tread wear, cuts, cracks, bulges and objects embedded in the tread. The tyre should also be correctly seated on the rim.

No. Tyre width, diameter, tread and construction vary according to the bicycle and its intended use. Road bicycles commonly use relatively narrow tyres, while mountain bikes generally use wider tyres with more pronounced tread.

Continuous tracks provide traction and distribute a vehicle's weight over a larger contact area than conventional wheels. They are particularly useful on mud, snow, loose soil, construction sites and other difficult terrain.

Tracks can consist of linked metal sections, continuous rubber belts or systems combining metal and rubber components. The design depends on the vehicle and its intended operating conditions.

Some tracked vehicles can use public roads when they meet the applicable vehicle, registration and road-use requirements. Restrictions may apply because certain track designs can damage road surfaces or because the vehicle has unusual dimensions, weight or speed characteristics.

Gross Vehicle Weight includes the weight of the vehicle itself together with the driver, passengers, fuel, luggage, cargo and other items being carried at that moment.

GVW is the vehicle's actual weight at a particular moment. GVWR is the maximum total weight the vehicle is designed or legally permitted to have when loaded. The actual GVW must remain within the applicable maximum.

Vehicle weight affects braking, handling, tyre and axle loading and legal weight limits. Overloading can reduce safety and may also cause the vehicle to exceed permitted axle or total-mass limits.

GVWR represents the permitted maximum total weight of the loaded vehicle, including the vehicle itself, driver, passengers, fuel, luggage, cargo and other equipment carried by the vehicle.

GVWR is the maximum permitted or rated weight of the vehicle, while GVW is its actual weight at a particular moment. The GVW changes as passengers or cargo are added or removed, while the GVWR remains a fixed limit.

GVWR determines how heavily a vehicle may be loaded and can affect driving-licence categories, vehicle classification and other legal requirements. Exceeding the permitted maximum can also adversely affect braking, handling, tyres and other vehicle components.

Unsecured cargo can move during acceleration, braking or cornering and can affect vehicle stability or fall onto the road. Proper securing protects the occupants, other road users and the cargo itself.

Yes. Heavy or poorly distributed cargo can change the vehicle's centre of gravity, braking distance, steering and stability. Loads should therefore be distributed appropriately and kept within the vehicle's permitted limits.

In some circumstances it can, but national rules normally limit how far a load may project beyond the front, rear or sides of a vehicle and may require projecting loads to be specially marked.

The car body is the structure and exterior bodywork surrounding the vehicle's occupants and cargo areas. It includes visible panels as well as structural sections that can contribute to the strength of the vehicle.

Not always. In some vehicles the body is mounted on a separate chassis or frame. Most modern passenger cars use a self-supporting body in which much of the body structure also performs the structural function traditionally provided by a separate chassis.

The body helps protect occupants and supports many vehicle components. Serious corrosion, deformation, loose panels or structural damage can reduce crash protection or create hazards for other road users.

A trunk is primarily used for carrying luggage and other cargo separately from the passenger compartment. Its size and location depend on the vehicle's design.

Yes. Heavy or loose objects can move during sudden braking, acceleration or cornering. Cargo should therefore be positioned and secured so that it cannot affect vehicle stability or cause injury.

No. The combined weight of the vehicle, occupants and cargo must remain within the vehicle's permitted total and axle-load limits. Excessive loading can adversely affect braking, steering and stability.

A suitable roof rack can carry items such as luggage boxes, bicycles, skis and other equipment, provided the rack and attachments are designed for the load and the vehicle's permitted roof-load limit is respected.

Yes. Weight carried high on the vehicle raises its centre of gravity and can affect stability, particularly during cornering or sudden manoeuvres. Drivers should secure the load carefully and adapt their driving accordingly.

Check the vehicle manufacturer's specifications and the limits of the roof rack itself. The permitted load can vary significantly between vehicles, and the lowest applicable limit should not be exceeded.