Anticipation and planning

By the end of this topic you can

• You can read the road far ahead and pick out clues to possible hazards.
• You can use look, assess, decide, act to deal with a hazard step by step.
• You can adjust speed and position early so you rarely need to brake hard.
• You can deal with more than one hazard at a time by putting them in order.
• You can predict what other road users might do, especially children and cyclists.

What you need to know and understand

• A hazard is anything that might make you change speed, direction or stop.
• Look for clues: a ball in the road, brake lights ahead, a bus at a stop, a pedestrian looking the other way (Highway Code rules 146 and 206).
• Be ready for vehicles emerging at junctions, and look out for unmarked junctions on minor roads where nobody has priority (rule 146).
• Drive at a speed that lets you stop well within the distance you can see to be clear (rule 126).
• If pedestrians, especially children, are looking the other way, they may step out without seeing you (rule 146).
• Being prepared means the right speed, gear and position before you reach a hazard.

Look, assess, decide, act

This simple four-step approach helps you deal with hazards in a calm, planned way rather than reacting at the last moment.

1. Look: scan far ahead, to the sides and in your mirrors.
2. Assess: what could this hazard do, and how soon?
3. Decide: what is your plan, for example slow down, move out or hold back?
4. Act: use mirrors, signal if needed, and carry out your plan smoothly.

Clues that something is about to happen

The road is full of early warnings if you know where to look. Each one gives you a few extra seconds to plan.

• Brake lights several cars ahead: traffic is slowing, so ease off now.
• A bus at a stop: people may cross in front of it, and it may pull out.
• Parked cars with someone in the driver's seat or exhaust fumes: the car may move off or a door may open.
• A cyclist glancing over their shoulder: they may move out or turn right (rule 212).
• A warning sign: a bend, junction, school or animals ahead.
• Ice cream vans and school gates: children may run out (rule 206).

Handling several hazards at once

Busy roads often give you more than one thing to deal with. Pick out the one that is closest or most dangerous first, but keep the others in mind. Slowing down early buys you time to deal with them one at a time.

Do not fixate on one hazard. If you stare at a parked car, you might miss the cyclist about to pass you. Keep your eyes moving.

Common mistakes

• Reacting late and braking hard. Lift off the accelerator as soon as you spot a clue.
• Assuming others will do the right thing. Leave room in case they do not.
• Looking only just ahead of the bonnet. Plan from the furthest point you can see.
• Treating a green light as a guarantee. Check the junction is clear before you go.

Test yourself: Anticipation and planning

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

Go deeper

• Hazard Perception Scoring Explained