Whilst anyone can be taught how to drive, hazard perception is something that builds over time. With many factors which may impact our ability to drive being beyond our control, the ability to identify hazards at the earliest possible opportunity can often be the difference between being involved in an accident and avoiding it.
The types of hazard which we face when driving often vary depending on the type of area which you are driving. To help give you an idea of some of the things that you may face, we have drawn up a list of potential hazards.
Residential Driving Hazards
In residential areas, especially if there happen to be nearby schools, you may come across roads and streets with 20 mph speed limits enforced.
It is therefore essential that you stick to this speed limit and by doing so, you will have the chance to spot on react to any hazard in a more timely manner.
Pedestrians, cyclists, and parked cars are all common residential area driving hazards but you should also be aware of the following:
- Small children walking out from between parked vehicles
- Bikes and motorbikes coming out from junctions
- People opening car doors
- School and Pedestrian crossings
- Loose cats and dogs crossing the road
Country Driving Hazards
Rural area driving poses a different set of challenges and potential hazards for drivers of all levels of experience. Country lanes for example offer vastly different risks to residential areas including significantly reduced visibility due to winding roads, sharp bends, and overgrown trees and hedges.
Because the speed limit is likely to be much higher than when travelling through a built up area, this in itself poses far greater risks than when travelling slowly.
When navigating country lanes, never feel intimidated or pressurised by the speed limit – always stick to a speed you are comfortable at.
Some of hazards you might encounter on country lanes include:
- Unmarked junctions
- Narrow lanes and sharp bends
- Tractors and slow moving vehicles
- Farm animals and wild animals on the road.
The more you drive, the better your observation, concentration, and anticipation skills will become and the easier it will be for you to spot the common hazards of road.
