Look at this picture. What hazard might you expect?
A hazard is anything that might cause you as the driver to change your:
Speed (speed up, slow down or stop)
Position (move over to the left or right in the road)
Direction (change direction)
Hazards can be caused by:
- Other road users (e.g. cyclists, pedestrians, tractors)
- Environment (e.g. icy weather, loose road surface, wet leaves)
- Physical (e.g. roundabouts, bends in the road, traffic lights)
As a driver, it is important for you to recognise hazards in good time. You need to look well ahead, to the sides and in your mirrors, and notice what’s around you.
This will help you to notice a hazard in good time and respond to it in good time, keeping yourself, your passengers and other road users, safe.
Anticipating Hazards
You should also aim to anticipate hazards. This means to expect a hazard in certain situations.
For example:
- You are driving near to a High School
- It is a weekday and it’s not the school holidays.
- It is the time of day that the school day ends
- Although you cannot see any children about, you should anticipate or expect to see children very soon.
The Hazard Perception Test
In the Hazard Perception Test, you are looking for moving or developing hazards caused by other road users.
A developing or moving hazard could be:
- A cyclist that emerges from a side street
- A child chasing a ball into the road
- A car door opening as you are passing
You will develop your hazard perception skills and notice the developing hazard. Then you can react to it in good time.
What I mean by this is:
- You notice the cyclist, cycling towards the end of the road, and not slowing down. So, you should anticipate that he may ride out in front of you
- You notice two children bouncing a ball between them on the pavement. So, you should anticipate that they may drop the ball, it rolls into the road, and they chase after it
- You notice that a person has stopped their car in front of you and turned their engine off. So, you should anticipate that they may open their car door as you are passing by
The sooner you learn to spot developing hazards while you are driving, the better and quicker you be able to react and avoid collisions.
How to Spot Hazards
- Knowing what type of hazards may occur on different roads will help you to spot them early.
- Look ahead as far as you can, and then scan the road towards your car.
- Look to the sides of the road as well, so you are noticing side roads parked cars, footpaths and so on
Examples of the types of Hazard to Expect
In urban areas (built-up areas), you may come across:
- Pedestrians getting off a bus and stepping into the road in front of you
- A cyclist emerging from a junction
- A car door opening as you are passing by
- A child chasing a ball into the road
- Pedestrians stepping out from between parked cars
In rural areas (countryside), you may come across:
- A slow-moving tractor
- A horse and rider
- Pedestrians walking towards you on the road
- A very narrow road and a car coming towards you
- Cows being led across the road
How to deal with ANY Hazard
As soon as you notice a hazard ahead, you should:
- Check your mirrors
- Ease off the gas pedal
Now, you are prepared to deal with whatever happens.
A Example of a Developing Hazard
- What do you notice, parked on the right-hand side of the road?
- Who do you notice on the left-hand pavement?
- What do you anticipate will happen next?
- What should the driver of the car do?
Note: You will be taking your quiz next, make sure to get the passing score in order for the quiz to be marked as completed.