Hazards

SOME EXAMPLES OF HAZARDS AND HOW YOU MIGHT REACT

 

  • Approaching parked vehicles on the left you should move out in good time to pass safely.
  • Oncoming vehicles that have already moved out to overtake on their side you should slow or stop to allow them through if space is limited.
  • Looking down at the controls for an extended period of time. Your main focus should be on the road ahead.
  • Traffic lights. If you are approaching lights and can see that they have been green for some time you might show anticipation. An idea might to be to reduce your speed slightly and perhaps reduce the gears from 4 to 3 as you approach.
  • Amber lights. If you are too close to stop safely or are already beyond the STOP line you should proceed through the junction and NOT brake sharply.
  • If you are beyond the white stop line and the light changes to red you should carry on through. A simple rule to remember is that the traffic light regulates the entry to the junction and not the exit.
  • Approaching a “bottleneck” you should not proceed and cause all traffic to come to a standstill. Read the road ahead and perhaps hold back and allow the oncoming traffic through before proceeding.
  • If turning from a major road into a minor road or narrow road do not oblige any vehicle intending to emerge to reverse out of the way to allow you in.
  • If driving in a line of overtaking vehicles be aware of what is ahead and do not follow the vehicles  in front blindly.
  • Children playing or pedestrians ahead. Show anticipation. Children might run onto the road, pedestrians might walk in front of you. Perhaps adjust your speed down or move out a little.
  • Animals. (Cats, Dogs etc..) They might run in front of you. Horses may get frightened and bolt across the road if you approach to quickly or over rev the engine.
  • Mirrors. Don’t make exaggerated use of the mirrors, also don’t over use them. Check the appropriate mirrors when changing speed and direction otherwise focus ahead.
  • Observation. Again the main focus is the road ahead. Full over the shoulder checks should be made when moving away from a stationary position (Blind Spots).  Appropriate “safety glances” should be made when merging from slip roads joining dual carriageways/motorways, changing lanes and overtaking, this just requires a quick sideways glance to take in what the mirrors don’t cover.
  • Merging from a slip road onto a dual carriageway/motorway. Avoid stopping on the merging lane/slip road. You should adjust your speed to merge with traffic. If the vehicles on the carriageway are close or moving fast you might slow and merge behind them. If they are a distance back or travelling slowly you might speed up and merge ahead of them.
  • Surface water/puddles. Do not splash pedestrians. Where there are pedestrians around you might move out to avoid splashing them. If there is no option to move out then you might reduce your speed.
  • Condensation within the vehicle. Use appropriate controls to keep the visibility clear.
  • Speed ramps. Reduce your speed accordingly to deal with them. Remember the ramps are not there to slow you down AT them but to slow you down on the whole road. Check your centre mirror as you approach the ramp as you will be slowed by it when you first hit it and need to be aware of the vehicles behind.