Recent surveys show that many accidents happen within 1 mile of your home on roads you are most familiar with. Any length of time where you are not focused on the road whether it be changing the radio station or updating the SatNav can prevent you from anticipating the road ahead. It is important for your safety and of those other road users that you do not let yourself become distracted. The statistics speak for themselves in relation to accidents relating to distraction, in particular the mobile phone. This would be due to the limit being regularly broken.
Red paint here is to draw the drivers attention. This will help you take the right action before you get to the hazard meaning you can plan well ahead. change in the colour of the road or markings e.g.Use Road Signs and Informationīy scanning further and wider with your vision as you drive along will allow you to take in road signs and information. Look out for traffic lights, yellow boxes and road blockages in particular. Keep your following distance to the correct gap in wet and dry conditions and this will also allow you to see further down the road. This will allow greater room in your thought processes to assess what is ahead or what might be ahead. Stick to the Speed LimitĪnticipation will be increased if you drive with discipline and stick to the speed limit.
Rule 126 of The Highway Code states you should ‘Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear’.įollow this link to read the full Highway Code 3. Always expect to stop and changing your speed by even 5mph will give you greater time to stop if needed. Slowing down even if the view is clear will allow you to react to those drivers that are not anticipating you approaching. When looking further down the road and picking out hazards earlier, you can then take action earlier. Looking over the car in front to the distance means you can see the curve in the road and any traffic coming towards you. It is easy when following a vehicle to simply stare at their boot. Always look where you are going and try to always have your vision on ‘full beam’. Scanning instead of fixing your stare allows you to take in a wider aspect of information therefore meaning you need to look 2, 3 or even 4 times in any given direction. When driving, looking further down the road improves the length of time you have information available and what action you might need to take. Follow the speed limit and following distance rules.Do not become distracted or complacent on familiar routes.Use road signs and information to form a plan.Be able to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.Scan the road ahead when doing observations.There are some simple techniques you can use on the road to help in multiple situations
Looking further down the road or driving at a different speed can help you anticipate a greater distance ahead keeping you from danger.