Hazard Perception
There has been a significant increase in the focus of hazard perception and hazard awareness in the last few years since the introduction by the DSA of a separate hazard perception element to the theory test.
Hazard perception requires you to always be thinking of, looking out for and being aware of potential hazards so that you can react in good time should that hazard develop from a potential into a real hazard.
For instance, if there is a cyclist on the pavement, then they may not currently be a hazard but you should be aware that they could swerve out into the road and become an actual hazard. Often the lines are a little blurred and it is a matter of interpretation but as a general rule of thumb, anything that could potentially be dangerous to you or anyone else is a potential hazard that then can develop into an actual hazard.
There are a large range of different hazards. If a police car is coming up behind you with lights flashing attending an emergency, then that is a hazard situation. Some hazards are more clear cut than others: clearly a driver going the wrong way is a very real and dangerous hazard. Where two different sections of road join and one driver pulls dangerously in front of the other is of course also a hazard situation.
If a pedestrian or other road user behaves erratically, swerves or drives too closely to you, then this is also a hazard. The key to hazard perception is always be alert to what is happening and what other road users are doing. If you spot debris in the road well ahead of where it is for instance, then you can mitigate that hazard by reacting in good time, rather than not paying attention to the road and having to take a potentially dangerous manoueuvre to avoid it at the last minute.
So it can be seen that related to hazard perception are the skills of alertness, safety margins, attitude, knowledge of road and traffic signs and the rules of the road.
You can practice hazard perception by testing your awareness against our video clips.
Related Articles...
Driving Theory Centres
Finding the nearest driving theory centre to you is easy as the government makes this information available to you online.
There is a website that enables you to find the nearest driving...
Regular car checks to perform
In addition to the daily checks that you should perform on core elements of your car such as the tyres (see article entitled 'what to check on your car daily') there are various other elements that...
How to help yourself stay safe whilst driving
It is a sad fact, but a fact nonetheless, that there are very rare occasions on which you can just get unlucky and be involved in an accident, whether minor or major, that you are powerful to do...
What causes accidents: overtaking
When you overtake a vehicle, there are often many things to consider.
First of all you need to ensure that it is, as far as you are aware, safe to do so. Therefore don't overtake close to...
Selecting low gears when driving
When you are driving, you will just learn to change gears without really thinking about what you are doing and when. But generally you will change up gears the faster you are going, and this is...
Road position and large vehicles
In a car there are of course blind spots, but as soon as you drive a lorry you realise how significant the blind spots are for those vehicles.
For one simple thing even with vans you can't...
Your vehicle and driving
There is a lot to take in when you are learning to drive and when you are preparing for the driving theory test. Whilst a lot of it is common sense there is a considerable amount of information you...
Staying calm in your driving test
There is no doubt that many people get extremely nervous before the driving practical test, and whilst this can be frustrating or disconcerting, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Many people...
What to do at a roundabout
Roundabouts come in all shapes and sizes, but the basic rules that govern roundabouts are simple.
However that doesn't stop people interpreting the rules and indicating and lines in all sorts...
What causes accidents: pulling out
One of the most typically seen accident that happens between vehicles in and around towns and city centres is the situation where two or more roads join each other.
At these there will be...
Back to home page of driving theory test questions
