Hazards

A hazard is any situation that could require you to adjust your speed or change course. Hazards can be either static or moving.

To identify a static hazard, you must look well ahead for clues such as

• road signs
• changes in road conditions
• parked vehicles
• junctions.

Moving hazards include all road users, such as

• other vehicles
• motorcyclists
• users of powered mobility vehicles
• cyclists
• pedestrians
• horses and riders
• road workers
• persons directing traffic
• loose animals.

Remember, as soon as you’ve recognised a hazard, you must assess

• how to deal with it safely
• how your actions will affect other road users.

Allowing time and space

Always leave yourself enough time and space to cope with what’s ahead.

• Scan the road ahead, in the far and near distance – especially in town, where things change quickly.
• Check your mirrors frequently so that you always know what’s happening behind you.
• Watch for clues about what’s likely to happen next.

For example, a parked car is a potential hazard if the driver is sitting in it, or you see vapour from the exhaust in cold weather. This could indicate that

• a door might open suddenly
• the car might pull out without warning.

If you can see underneath a parked vehicle and notice someone’s feet at the other side, remember that the pedestrian might not be able to see you and could step into the road.

Effective observation and anticipation are your main defence.

Always keep a good separation distance between you and the vehicle in front. Leave a gap of at least one metre or yard for each mph of your speed, or use the two-second rule.

In bad conditions, leave at least double the distance or a four-second time gap.

Tailgating

When a vehicle behind is too close to you, ease off the accelerator very gradually and increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front. This will give you a greater safety margin. If another road user pulls into the space in front of you, drop back until you’ve restored your safety margin.

Large vehicles

Take extra care when following large vehicles, especially at roundabouts, junctions and entrances.

The driver might have to take a course that seems incorrect to you; for example, moving out to the right before turning left.

In wet weather, large vehicles throw up a lot of spray. This can make it difficult for you to see the road ahead, so drop back until your view improves.

Keep well back from any large vehicles that are in the process of manoeuvring to the left or right.

Be patient and don’t try to pass while they’re manoeuvring.

Large vehicles can also block your view. Your ability to see and plan ahead will be improved if you keep back.

Recognising hazards

Events can happen at the same time, or in quick succession. In the illustration above, the driver of the blue car must pull out to pass the stationary coach, but

• is the green car really going to turn left? (The driver might have forgotten to cancel the indicator from a previous turn)
• if the green car does turn, will the pedestrian with the briefcase decide to cross?
• when will the driver of the blue car notice the red car, which may want to turn left?

If you’re travelling too fast, you’re unlikely to be able to cope with all the events at once. This is how other road users, who might not be doing anything wrong, can turn a straightforward piece of driving into a hazardous situation.

REMEMBER, the defensive driver is always

• in the correct position
• travelling at the correct speed for the road, traffic and weather conditions
• in the right gear
• anticipating and prepared for the next change in the traffic situation.

The action you need to take will vary from one hazard to another. Any action that involves a change of speed or course is called a manoeuvre.

A manoeuvre can vary from slowing slightly to turning on a very busy road.

Approaching any hazard

Follow the MSM/PSL routine every time you recognise a hazard.

Mirror(s)

Check the position of traffic following you.

Signal

If necessary, signal your intention to change course or slow down. Signal clearly and in good time.

Manoeuvre

Carry out the manoeuvre if it’s still safe to do so. Manoeuvre has three phases – Position, Speed, Look.

Position

Get into the correct position in good time to negotiate the hazard. This helps other road users to anticipate what you intend to do.

Positioning yourself too late can be dangerous. Ask yourself

• Can I see and be seen?
• What are my options?

Don’t do anything that would obstruct another driver or rider.

If lanes are closed or narrow because of roadworks, obey the temporary road signs and move into the correct lane in good time.

• Don’t reduce your safety margin by responding at the last moment.
• Don’t overtake and squeeze in later on – you’ll only increase the frustration of drivers already waiting.

Speed

Ask yourself

• Could I stop in time if the vehicle in front braked suddenly?
• Am I going too fast for the road conditions?
• Am I in the right gear to keep control?

Slow down as you approach a hazard. Always be ready to stop.

Look

Keep looking ahead to assess all possible dangers. This is particularly important at a junction. Look in all directions, even if you’re not turning.

If you’re joining a road, keep looking as you turn from one road to the other.

Watch out for

• traffic turning across your path
• motorcyclists, as they’re more difficult to see and can easily be hidden behind other vehicles
• pedestrians.

Country roads

Take extra care and reduce your speed as you approach bends and junctions.

Bends and junctions

Bends can often be sharper than you think they’re going to be. They may also obscure other, more vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists, or larger slow-moving farm vehicles which may take up the whole width of the road.

Junctions, especially minor junctions or entrances to farm premises, aren’t always signed and may be partially hidden.

Other road users

Many roads in country areas have no pavements or footpaths. Where this is the case, pedestrians are advised to walk on the right-hand side of the road so they can see oncoming traffic. However, you should always be prepared to find people walking or jogging on your side of the road.

Horse riders and cyclists are also often found on country roads. Give them plenty of space, always be patient and wait until it’s safe before overtaking, especially on narrow or winding roads.

Narrow roads with passing places

On single-track roads, look well ahead and be prepared to stop. If you see an oncoming vehicle

• pull into the passing place if it’s on the left
• be prepared to reverse into a passing place if necessary
• wait opposite a passing place on the right.

Avoid driving onto the verge; it may be soft, with drainage ditches or gulleys that could damage your vehicle’s suspension.

If your view ahead is restricted by hedges or bends, reduce your speed so that you can stop safely if necessary.

If another driver wishes to overtake, pull into or stop opposite a passing place to allow them to do so.