Advanced Defensive Driving

Defensve Driving Dealing With Hazards

A hazard is any situation which could involve adjusting speed or changing course. To identify a hazard, you must look well ahead for clues such as

• road signs
• changes in road conditions
• parked vehicles
• junctions
• cyclists
• motorcyclists
• pedestrians
• horse riders
• animals, particularly dogs off the lead.

Remember, as soon as you've recognised a hazard, you must use the mirrors to assess

• how other road users will affect your planning
• how your actions will affect following traffic.

Defensive Driving Allowing time and space

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

• Keep your eyes moving.
• Look well ahead, in the far and near distance, especially in town, where things change quickly.
• Check regularly on what's following you.
• Watch for clues about what's going to happen next.

For example, a parked car could spell danger if the driver is sitting in it, or you see vapor 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 you can see feet at the other side, a pedestrian might appear suddenly.

Effective observation and anticipation is your main defence.

Defensive Driving Separation Distances

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 very gradually and increase the gap between you and the vehicle in front.

Large vehicles

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

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

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

Don't get caught out by trying to pass on the left.

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

Remember

If you are following too close behind a large vehicle, the driver might not be able to see you in the mirrors.

Defensive Driving Recognising Hazards

Events can happen at the same time, or in quick succession.

In the illustration, the driver must pull out to pass the stationary van, but

• Is the blue car really going to turn left? (The driver might have forgotten to cancel the indicator from a previous turn.)
• If the blue car does turn, will the pedestrian decide to cross?
• When will the driver see the red car, which may want to turn left?

If you're travelling too fast, you're not likely 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.

The action you need to take will vary from one hazard to another. Any action which 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.

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.

Defensive Driving Approaching Any Hazard

Follow the M-S-P-S-G-L 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 four phases -

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?
• Are other vehicles restricting my course of action?
• Have I enough room to get out of any difficulties?

Avoid cutting in front of other drivers or riders.

If lanes are closed or narrow because of road works, move into the correct lane in good time.

• Don't wait until the last minute.
• 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 suddenly brakes sharply?
• Am I going too fast for the road conditions?

Be prepared to slow down as you approach a hazard.

Always be ready to stop!

Gear

Am I in the right gear needed to keep control?

and

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
• pedestrians.

Defensive Driving Country Roads

These roads present their own hazards.

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 are 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.

Junctions, especially minor junctions or entrances to farm premises, are not always signed and may be partially hidden.

Other road users

There are often no pavements or footpaths on the side of the road in country areas. Where there aren't any, pedestrians are advised to walk on the right-hand side of the road so they can see oncoming traffic. 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 and always be patient and wait until it is 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
• wait opposite to it if the passing place is on the right .

If your view ahead is restricted by hedges or bends, reduce speed and take extra care.

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