Lesson 6: Anticipation and reaction
EDT lesson 6 trains you to spot hazards early and respond in good time. Good anticipation means you rarely need to brake hard or swerve, because you saw the problem coming.
Ireland has no separate hazard perception test, so this lesson is where your hazard skills are deliberately built. Failing to anticipate others is also one of the RSA's most common reasons for failing the driving test.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can scan the road ahead, to the sides and behind for potential hazards
- You can identify a hazard and respond with the right speed, position and gap
- You can brake correctly and in good time when a hazard develops
- You can explain how night, rain, fog and snow change the way you should drive
What you need to know and understand
- A hazard is anything that may make you change speed, position or direction.
- Common hazards include junctions, blind spots, parked vehicles, crossings, roundabouts, cyclists, motorcyclists, road works and pedestrians.
- Roads with parked cars, many pedestrians, lots of warning signs, or a restricted view such as hill brows or tree cover need extra care.
- Choosing a lower speed and a bigger gap gives you more time to react.
- A ball rolling into the road may be followed by a child; a horse may react to your car.
- In poor weather or darkness you see less and need more distance to stop.
A scanning routine you can use
- Look far ahead first, as far as the road lets you see.
- Sweep the middle distance and both sides: footpaths, driveways, side roads and parked cars.
- Check your mirrors regularly so you know what is behind.
- Ask yourself what could happen next with each road user you see.
- Decide early: ease off, change position or leave more space.
Reading the clues
Your ADI may ask you questions about hazards you could not meet on the route, so read up on them too.
- Feet visible under a parked van: a pedestrian may step out
- A cyclist approaching a parked car: they will need to move out
- Brake lights several cars ahead: traffic is slowing
- A car reversing out of a driveway: be ready to stop
- A warning sign for a bend or school: slow down before you reach it
Outcomes your ADI will check
By the end you should show that you recognise and respond to hazards, and that you take account of them by choosing a suitable speed, keeping a safe distance and braking correctly. You should also be able to explain the effects of driving at night, in rain, in fog and in snow.
Before your next lesson the RSA suggests about three hours of practice scanning for hazards and responding, plus reading the Rules of the Road on anticipation and reaction.
Common mistakes
- Fixing your eyes on the car directly in front. Keep your eyes moving.
- Seeing a hazard but not acting on it. Ease off early rather than hope it goes away.
- Braking late and hard. Late reactions usually mean late observation.
- Driving at the same speed in fog or rain as on a dry, clear day.
Test yourself: Lesson 6: Anticipation and reaction
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Road Safety Authority, EDT Learner Driver Information Booklet, Session 6 (rsa.ie); Road Safety Authority, Repeating your test, common reasons for failing (rsa.ie); Road Safety Authority, About the driver theory test (rsa.ie); Road Safety Authority, Rules of the Road (rsa.ie). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the RSA.