Hazard Awareness Flashcards
What is a hazard?
A situation which may require you as a driver to respond by taking action such as braking or steering
What are the three main types of hazards?
Static Hazards e.g. roundabouts/junctions
Moving Hazards e.g. other road users
Road and Weather Conditions
What are the different types of static hazards? (9)
Bends
Junctions
Roundabouts
Parked Vehicles
Skips in the road
Roadworks
Traffic Calming
Different types of crossings
Traffic lights
What should you do when you spot a static hazard?
take a mental note of their existence, slow down & get ready to stop if necessary
What is the purpose of road signs and markings?
to give you clues
What should you do if you see a road sign and/or marking?
Reduce your speed and prepare for any necessary actions
What holds the same responses as seeing road signs and/or markings?
Traffic lights, other light signals, level crossings and signals from police officers
What should you do if the traffic lights are out of order?
Treat the junction as an unmarked crossroads and proceed with caution
What should you ask yourself when you see a sign for a bend?
What if there’s a pedestrian or obstruction around the bend? Could I stop in time? Could I do it safely?
What are hazards in busy areas?
Parked cars, especially if parked illegally
What should I watch out for when in a busy area?
Children dashing out from between the cars
Car doors opening
Cars moving away
What should you watch out for around schools?
Flashing amber lights (indicating possible children crossing/using a dedicated-school-crossing place)
What should you do around junctions in busy areas?
There’s often reduced visibility, so slow down and pull out extra carefully until you can see
Where can you look to see the road at junctions in busy areas?
Reflections in shop windows
Should you block a junction?
Leave it clear to allow other vehicles to enter and emerge
What should you be ready for when lanes are closed?
Cars cutting in front of you - so, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front
Why should you take extra care on two-way roads with a third lane in the centre?
Traffic from both sections can use this lane for over-taking
What should you do if you’re driving on a motorway/dual carriageway and see a hazard/obstruction?
Briefly use your hazard warning lights to warn the traffic behind you
What should you do if your car has broken down and is causing an obstruction?
Switch on your hazard warning lights to warn other road users
Who are the other road users you should watch out for?
Pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, large vehicle drivers, slow-moving vehicles, motorcyclists, the disabled using a powered vehicle and other car drivers
What is special about country roads?
There’s no pavement, so pedestrians will walk in the road - they may be walking towards you on your side of the road
Why should you give cyclists plenty of room?
They may wobble/swerve to avoid drains/potholes
When should you be particularly aware of cyclists?
Before you turn left
At junctions/traffic lights
What should you think about when you see a bus at a bus stop?
People may get off the bus & cross the road
Bus maybe moving off - School Buses may stop anywhere
What happens at some bridges?
High vehicles may need to use the centre of the road to be able to pass underneath
Why should you be patient with older drivers?
They may not react quickly so be patient with them
Which vehicles may have signs on them?
Road maintenance vehicles, Large good vehicles over 13m long, vehicles carrying hazardous chemicals
When should you not overtake?
If you’re turning left shortly afterwards
If signs/markings prohibit this
When approaching a junction
When the view ahead is blocked
Why should you be alert at all times?
So you don’t become a hazard on the road
Why should you use your mirrors?
So you’re aware of what’s going on around you at all times - may be convex to give you wider vision
When should you not drive?
When you’re tired
How can you ensure you don’t get tired on long journeys?
Plan your journey so you have enough rest and refreshment breaks
Try to stop at least once every two hours
Make sure you’ve got plenty of fresh air by opening a window
What should you do if you feel tired?
Pull over at a safe and legal place to rest
On a motorway, leave at the next exit/services
What can your concentration be affected by?
Using a mobile phone/hands-free handset
Listening to loud music
Looking at a map/sat nav
Should you drive immediately after a fight?
Calm down before starting/continuing your journey
Should you drive after drinking alcohol?
No, take public transport or don’t drink at all
Why is alcohol bad for drivers?
Reduces concentration, co-ordination and control
Gives you a false sense of security
Reduces your judgement of speed
Slows down your reactions
What else, apart from alcohol makes you unfit to drive?
Certain medications that may make you drowsy (check with your doctor/pharmacist)
DRUGS
What consequences arise of being convicted of driving whilst intoxicated (drugs/alcohol)?
Cost of insurance will rise considerably
When must you inform the licencing authority as a glasses-wearer?
If your eyesight deteriorates
You suffer from an illness that can affect your driving
How should you drive in wet weather?
Double your separation distance
Spray may reduce your vision
How should you drive in icy weather?
Slow down
Increase your separation distance: allow up to 10 times the gap you’d leave in the dry
How should you drive in foggy weather?
Slow down
Use dipped headlights
Use fog lights if visibility is less than 100m (328 feet)
How should you drive in bright weather?
Sunlight (especially low winter sun) can dazzle you/other drivers
What types of weather may prove hazardous?
Rain, Ice, Fog and Bright weather
How do I deal with inconsiderate drivers?
Stay calm. Don’t shout or make rude gestures.
Wait if necessary to allow the other driver to move out of the way
If you feel upset, stop and take a break if you can.
How do you prevent the car behind driving too closely?
Move over and let the car through if you can. If not, increase your distance from the car in front to lessen the likely-hood of a road traffic accident involving several vehicles
Why are two way roads divided into three lanes more dangerous?
Traffic from both lanes use the center to overtake, so approaching traffic could be trying to make the same manoeuvre at the same time
What do I do if a car is about to reverse out in front of me?
Reduce your speed and prepare to stop. Sound your horn to warn them of your presence
(11:30pm-7am in built-up areas, flash your headlights instead)
What do I do if I take the wrong route and find myself in a one-way street?
Continue to the end of the road and find a safe place to turn around.
What do I do if it looks like the driver has forgotten to cancel their right indicator?
Be cautious. Stay behind and don’t overtake - they may be uncertain of the position of a junction and turn suddenly
