Stage 3: Complex driving situations

By the end of this topic you can

• You can join busy traffic, change lanes and turn across oncoming traffic using safe gaps.
• You can handle traffic lights, busy roundabouts and busy intersections without prompts.
• You can choose a safe speed, at or below the limit, and keep a safe following distance in heavy traffic.
• You can drive on high speed roads and lower quality roads, and plan your own route for everyday trips, in fine weather, rain and at night.

What you need to know and understand

• You move on to Stage 4 only when you and your supervising driver agree you can meet every Stage 3 goal in dry daytime, wet and night conditions.
• A speed limit is the maximum for ideal conditions; rain, darkness and heavy traffic often call for less.
• New drivers under pressure tend to focus on the controls and stop scanning for hazards.
• As a learner you may only use a phone for navigation or audio if it is securely mounted and set up before you drive; you must not touch it or use voice commands while driving.
• Less speed and more space are your two best defences against the unexpected.

Building up from easy to hard

Do not jump straight into peak hour. Add one new challenge at a time and repeat it until it feels routine before adding the next.

1. Start with planned routes that include busier, lower speed roads in daylight outside peak times.
2. Drive those same routes in the rain and at night.
3. Move up to peak hour, then combine busy roads with night driving.
4. Build up to higher speed roads near the end of the stage.
5. Swap planned routes for everyday trips, adding sessions if you are short on night or wet driving.
6. Get variety: city learners should try country roads late in the stage, and country learners a regional centre or Melbourne.

Why drivers become unsafe

Your brain can only give full attention to one or two things at once. Most risky moments come from attention drifting: a conversation, a phone, driving too fast to think clearly, or being tired, stressed or affected by alcohol or drugs.

To stay focused, slow down a little when anything changes, such as rain starting or an unfamiliar area. Avoid driving tired or upset. Set up maps and music before moving off, and only add them once you are ready, on simple drives first.

Thinking about hazards

By now your supervising driver should be pointing out fewer hazards, because you are spotting them yourself. A great way to practise is commentary driving: when it is safe, say out loud what you see and what you will do, for example 'cyclist ahead, easing off'.

• Look well ahead so you see problems early.
• Watch for cyclists, pedestrians, children and motorcyclists.
• Use mirrors and head checks for hazards beside and behind you.
• Avoid sitting in another car's blind spot.
• Leave big gaps when turning across or joining traffic.
• Be predictable, so you never become someone else's hazard.

Are you ready for Stage 4?

Can you meet every goal above in daylight, rain and darkness, with your supervisor acting as a coach who says very little? If not, stay in Stage 3 longer. After each drive, review what went well, what did not, and any unsafe driving you saw from others.

Common mistakes

• Rushing into peak hour or freeways too early. Build up in small steps.
• Thinking you no longer need practice because the car feels easy. Traffic skills only come from many hours on varied roads.
• Accepting gaps that are too small when turning right across traffic. Wait for a bigger gap than you think you need.
• Driving right at the limit in rain or at night. Drop your speed to suit the conditions.

Test yourself: Stage 3: Complex driving situations

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.