Awareness & Planning
To anticipate, is to take action when you expect something will or might happen. The way you anticipate what might happen is to make early use of all the information available to you. To do this effectively you need to be constantly aware of what is happening around you.
How to do it? Think of your windscreen like a large jigsaw puzzle made up of many pieces. Each piece contains information and forms part of the big picture.
Ask yourself these two questions:
What information is available to me while I am driving?
How will I use this information?
Be aware of what is happening:
-
ahead
-
behind
-
to the side
Keep your eyes moving. Pay attention to the middle and far distance, not just what is happening immediately ahead of you. Try and see the bigger picture, don't allow your eyes to be drawn to just one area. Looking further ahead will enable you to see things earlier and give you more time to deal with any hazard that might be developing.
Always expect the unexpected - not all hazards can be anticipated.
Pay attention to:
-
other road users
-
signals given by other road users
-
road signs and markings
-
the type and condition of the road
-
weather conditions
-
pedestrians - think about they are going, what they might do
Another question to ask yourself: What happens if?
-
what if the car waiting at the junction hasn't seen me?
-
what if the pedestrian looking to cross the road suddenly steps out?
-
what if the car in front brakes suddenly, or changes lane unexpectedly
What and Where do you need to do this? Here are just a few examples........
-
Busy Traffic - people take more risks when driving in the rush hour. There is much more going on so more potential for road users to act without thinking. Vehicles/Motorcycles may come along side you unexpectedly
-
School children - young children aren't good at judging how far away a car is from them, and may run into the road unexpectedly.
-
Parked cars - parked cars can hide a multitude of potential hazards.
-
At road works - road workers may be in the road, lanes may be narrowed, priorities altered - normal rules may not apply.
-
Pedestrian Crossings - be aware of people on approach to a crossing. Are they getting ready to cross? How do you know?
-
Traffic Lights - Have they been green for a while? Are other road users aware of the lights?
Other things you can do to improve this skill:
-
Pull back from the vehicle in front to improve your view of the road.
-
scan left and right as you approach a crossroads or roundabout to see if you can spot vehicles which will arrive there at the same time as you.
-
Use other pieces of information on the road i.e. look at rows of trees or lamp posts along the road ahead to see if they curve to indicate a bend in the road.
-
In fog or at a blind junction, wind down your windows and listen for the sound of approaching vehicles.