Anticipating hazards

By the end of this topic you can

• You can scan the road ahead, to the sides and behind on a regular cycle.
• You can name the hazards you see and say what you will do about each one.
• You can spot clues that a hazard is developing before it happens.
• You can slow down, change position or create space in good time.
• You can use road signs and markings to predict what is ahead.

What you need to know and understand

• There is no separate hazard perception test in Ireland.
• The theory test includes questions on risk perception and hazard awareness.
• Hazards include things you can see, things that may appear, your own condition and the state of your car.
• Seeing a hazard and reacting to it both take time, and tiredness, alcohol and drugs slow both.
• Warning signs and longer white centre lines are early clues to hazards ahead.
• The earlier you spot a hazard, the gentler your response can be.

Four kinds of hazard

• What you can see: a cyclist ahead, a bus at a stop, a car waiting to pull out.
• What you cannot see yet but can expect: a child behind a parked van, an animal round a bend, a tractor at a farm gate.
• You: stress, tiredness, anger or a phone call can all slow your reactions.
• Your car: worn tyres, weak brakes or a dirty windscreen reduce your margin for error.

Reading the clues

Developing hazards usually give a warning if you look for it. A pedestrian looking at the road is likely to cross. A car with its wheels turned at a junction may pull out. Brake lights several cars ahead mean you will need to slow. Mud on a rural road can mean slow farm machinery. A school sign, an ice cream van or a bus stop all suggest children or pedestrians nearby.

Signs and markings help too. Yellow diamond warning signs tell you about bends, junctions and road layout ahead. Longer white warning lines in the centre of the road warn of a hazard such as a junction, bend or hill.

A practice routine with your supervisor

1. Commentary drive: for ten minutes, say aloud each hazard you see and what you will do about it.
2. Ask yourself 'what if?' about each one: what if that car pulls out, that door opens, that child runs?
3. Scan far, middle and near, then check mirrors, and repeat every few seconds.
4. Ease off early rather than braking late. Smooth driving usually means good anticipation.
5. After the drive, talk through any hazard you noticed late and what clue you missed.

Common mistakes

• Looking only at the car in front. Scan well beyond it.
• Seeing a hazard but not acting. Cover the brake or slow down as soon as you spot the risk.
• Expecting other road users always to do the right thing. Plan for their mistakes.
• Forgetting hidden hazards on rural roads. Expect walkers, animals and machinery round bends.
• Driving tired. Your reactions slow even if you feel alert.

Test yourself: Anticipating hazards

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

Go deeper

• Hazard Perception Ireland
• Irish Road Markings
• Irish Road Signs Explained