Advanced Defensive Driving

Defensive Driving Weather Conditions

At night look for

• illuminated signs
• reflective signs
• reflectors between white lines
• the glow of vehicle headlights on trees and buildings, indicating a corner or junction.

Be careful

• It can be difficult to judge distances and speed from headlights.
• Bright lights on some vehicles make it difficult to see less-bright lights, such as those of cyclists or low-powered motorcycles.
• Don't let shop and advertising signs distract you. Keep a good lookout for pedestrian crossings, traffic lights and other road users.

Wet roads

These can

• increase distracting reflected light
• make unlit objects even less visible.

Rain

Rain makes headlights less effective at night.

On dark and poorly-lit roads, slow down and watch for unlit objects, such as road-works, builders' skips or parked cars.

Drive more slowly and carefully in rain. Match your speed to the conditions.

Road surfaces

Stay alert to the road surface ahead because you might have to brake.

Ask yourself

• Is the road wet or slippery?
• Is it a good surface to brake on?

If the surface is wet, allow more time to stop.




A wet road means

• less efficient braking
• a longer distance needed to stop
• a greater risk of skidding.

Drive more slowly on a wet road, and take extra care.

Defensive Driving Other Road Users

Cyclists

Make allowances for cyclists. They have every right to be on the road. Allow them plenty of room.

The younger the cyclist, the more you must watch them.

Cyclists might

• glance round, showing they might be about to move out or turn
• make sudden sideways movements into your path
• be carrying light but bulky objects which may affect their control and balance
• weave about, slow down, or stop and get off on a hill
• swerve round potholes or inspection covers
• have problems in bad weather, particularly strong crosswinds
• find difficulties on poor road surfaces or where tramlines are set in the road.

Motorcyclists

Spare a thought for motorcyclists.

Much of what has been said about cyclists applies also to motorcyclists. They are very vulnerable.

Many accidents happen because drivers fail to notice motorcyclists, particularly at junctions.

Remember

Motorcyclists and cyclists are harder to see than other vehicles and are exposed to

• bad weather
• slippery roads
• uneven surfaces.

Look out for them, especially at junctions.

• Think Once
• Think Twice
• Think Bike!

Defensive Driving Power Vehicles & Disabled People

These small vehicles can be used on the pavement and on the road. They are extremely vulnerable when they are on the road because of

• their small size, especially their low height
• their low speed (they have a maximum speed of 8mph).

they are often not easy to see. On a dual carriageway they will have an amber light, but on other roads you may not have that advance warning.

Defensive Driving Buses & Coaches

Look well ahead when you see buses and coaches at a bus stop. Be aware of

• people getting off the bus or coach and not looking properly before they cross the road (even if they look, their view is often restricted).
• buses and coaches pulling away from the bus stop. If they are signalling to move out, always give way to them if you can do so safely.

Defensive Driving Pedestrians

When turning from one road to another

• always look out for pedestrians
• give way to any who are crossing.

Pedestrian Crossings

Never overtake on the approach to pedestrian crossings.

Elderly Persons

Several factors make elderly persons more vulnerable.

Poor eyesight or hearing might mean they are not aware of approaching traffic. They might not be able to judge the speed of approaching traffic when crossing the road. Even when they do realise the danger, they may be unable to move quickly, or they may become flustered.

They may also take longer to cross the road. Be patient and do not hurry them by revving your engine or edging forwards.

Disabled Pedestrians

Take special care with visually impaired or disabled people.

Remember that a person with hearing difficulty is not easy to identify.

Visually impaired people may carry a white cane or use a guide dog. Those who are deaf and blind may carry a white cane with a red band.

Children

Take extra care where children might be about, particularly in residential areas and near schools and parks.

Be aware that a school crossing warden may stop you to escort children across a busy road.

Children are impulsive and often unpredictable. Therefore, drive slowly in narrow roads where parked cars obscure your view.

Look out for parked ice cream vans. Children are more interested in ice cream than they are in traffic, and they may run into the road unexpectedly.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING Animals

Animals are easily frightened by noise and vehicles coming close to them.

You should

• drive slowly and quietly, don't sound the horn
• keep engine speed low, don't rev your engine
• always watch out for animals on unfenced roads.

Give animals as much room as possible.

Persons in charge of animals

If someone in charge of animals signals to you to stop, do so and switch off your engine.

Guide Dogs

A guide dog for a visually handicapped person usually has a distinctive loop type of harness. Remember, the dog is trained to wait if there's a vehicle nearby.

For a person with hearing difficulty, the guide dog usually has a distinctive yellow coat.

Take extra care if a pedestrian fails to look your way as you approach, especially in bad weather.

Horse riders

Be particularly careful when approaching horses, especially those ridden by children. Always pass wide and slow and look out for signals given by the riders.

Watch the behaviour of the horses. The riders might be having difficulty controlling them.

Take special care when meeting what appears to be a riding-school group. Many of the riders might be inexperienced.

Always treat horses as potential hazards and take great care when meeting or passing them.

Remember

Always think of the other road user, not just of yourself.

Please slow down