Hazard Awareness

Question 1

What are the hazards at a junction?

Answer 1

Your view is often reduced at junctions. This is especially the case in built-up areas like towns and cities. In this situation, you must take extra care and pull forward slowly until you can see down the road. This style of driving can be referred to as ‘creep and peep.’

Be careful not to block a junction: leave it clear so that other vehicles can enter and emerge.

Where lanes are closed, be ready for vehicles cutting in front of you and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. If you’re too close, you can run the risk of a rear-end shunt.

A traffic-light-controlled junction should also be treated as an unmarked junction if the lights aren’t working and you should be prepared to stop.

Question 2

What should you do if you see a hazard on a motorway?

Answer 2

If you’re driving on a motorway or dual carriageway and see a hazard or obstruction ahead you may use your hazard warning lights briefly to warn the traffic behind you.

Question 3

What hazards should you look out for in parked cars?

Answer 3

• Children running out from between vehicles
• Vehicle doors opening
• Vehicles moving away (sometimes without indicating).

Question 4

What should you do to reduce hazards from cyclists?

Answer 4

You should always be aware of cyclists and give them plenty of room. They may wobble or swerve to avoid drains or potholes and need extra room in the wind when they run the risk of being blown across the road.

At junctions or traffic lights, give cyclists plenty of time to turn or pull away.

When travelling in slow traffic, before you turn left, check for cyclists filtering through the traffic on your left by using your wing mirror.

Question 5

What do hazards should you be aware of in larger vehicles?

Answer 5

If you see a bus at a bus stop, always remember:

People may get off and then cross the road, often in front of the bus
The bus may be about to move off and pull out.
School buses might stop at places other than bus stops.

At some bridges, high vehicles may need to use the centre of the road to be able to pass underneath safely.

Large goods vehicles over 13 metres long have red and yellow markings at the back of the vehicle. These vehicles may take longer to turn or have to take alternative routes, so be cautious.

Question 6

When should you NOT overtake?

Answer 6

• if you’re turning left shortly after
• if signs prohibit it
• when approaching a junction
• when the view is blocked

Question 7

How can you avoid becoming a hazard?

Answer 7

• don’t drive if you’re tired
• minimise distractions and don’t use your phone
• don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including medicine that prohibits operating heavy machinery)
• wear glasses if needed and inform the dvla of medical conditions that may affect your driving

Question 8

How to react to different weather conditions :

Answer 8

• if it’s wet, Double your distance from the vehicle in front to four seconds.
• if it’s icy, Slow down and increase your separation distance: allow up to 10 times the gap you’d leave in dry weather.
• if it’s foggy Slow down and use dipped headlights so as not to dazzle other road users.
• if it’s sunny Be aware that sunlight can dazzle you or other drivers. Consider using sunglasses or a sun visor.

Question 9

What are static hazards?

Answer 9

There are many varied types of static hazard. These can include:

Bends
Junctions
Roundabouts
Parked vehicles and obstructions in the road
Roadworks
Road surfaces
Crossings of all varieties
Traffic lights.
All of these may require you to react or respond. Therefore it’s important that you’re:

Aware that they’re there
Slow down and be ready to stop if necessary.