|
Regard your brakes (not the steering wheel) as your first line of defense.
|
Drivers tend to automatically steer round an obstacle ahead - an action which often puts them in a worse situation.
Quite often, braking or braking-while-steering is the better option and you should be prepared to do this if necessary.
Note: you won't be able to make an informed decision without effective OBSERVATION techniques when you suddenly encounter a hazard.
|
|
Communicate with other road users.
|
Use the signals at your disposal (indicators, brake lights, reversing lights, warning device, headlight flasher, legal hand signals, eye contact, the position of your vehicle etc) thoughtfully.
Do the other users know what your intentions are? Have you communicated your intentions to them in the best possible manner?
|
|
Make eye contact with other road users.
|
Communication works 2-ways.
What are other drivers intentions? And do they know YOUR intentions?
Interpreting the eye contact and head movements of other road users is a very important part of the defensive driver's skills.
It helps identify and interpret their intentions, but remember - using your own eye contact & head movements to communicate your intentions as well.
Why does legislation limit the amount of tinting in car windows? It is not only because of driver vision outside the car, it is also do do with looking THROUGH the car (to see other traffic) and to permit the all-important eye-contact you need to make between yourself & other drivers.
|
|
Look ahead to get the big picture.
|
Novice drivers often make the mistake on concentrating their attention too close to the car. The further you can see ahead, the more time you have to observe a developing situation, to be prepared for it, and decide upon the correct response. (See SCAN below).
Your attention should be at least 12 seconds in front of the car. It's called projection, you are physically sitting behind the wheel but your mind is projected ahead.
|
|
Scan constantly, develop effective observational skills.
|
Your eyes should constantly scan left & right as well as ahead.
An accepted practice while " travelling down a road" is to develop a pattern like this:
Look ahead - then run your eyes back towards the car while scanning both sides - check your mirrors then the speedo - relax - repeat every 6 to 10 seconds.
Don't forget your blind spot ("head checks" or "shoulder checks") - danger doesn't only approach from ahead, it is more likely to come from the sides or behind!
Don’t stare in the one direction, keep your eyes moving - mirror checks, shoulder checks, instrument panel checks, all should be glances not a long stare.
Look through other vehicles, not at them! And if you come up to a hazard requiring evasive action,
|
|
Maintain a safety "space cushion".
|
Keep a safe gap between your car and other vehicles & objects - moving or stationary.
Don’t tailgate cars in front (2 seconds following distance in good conditions, 4 seconds in adverse conditions, are an absolute minimum!). Stay further back behind large vehicles so that your visibility is not limited.
Parked cars are a particular hazard - cars doors on a parallel-parked car can suddenly open in front of you without warning; drivers reversing out of angled parks have very limited visibility (even none) and may not see you coming up behind.
The solution? keep a safe distance (1½ metres minimum) from parked cars to allow for opening doors or backing out. Slow down if necessary to give yourself time to react. Look for signs of activity near a parked vehicle (doors closing, brake or reversing lights on etc) indicating it is about to move off. Covering the brakes and horn will prepare yourself mentally & physically for a fast response.
|
|
Identify hazards and leave yourself an "out"
|
Know the appropriate response to any hazard you may encounter. Always be prepared for evasive action.
For example, you are about to turn left from a terminating road into a through road. Don't just look right (at the traffic you must give way to), also look left into the new road to identify any problems (e.g. a parked vehicle) and also to identify an area you can "escape" into in case you have a fast-moving vehicle coming up behind you after turning. As soon as you turn into the new road, check behind (mirror) so that you can identify this situation if it occurs.
Look at other driver’s faces - if they are not looking at you, you must assume you haven’t been seen and must prepare to act accordingly.
Avoid travelling in another vehicle’s blind spots. If you can’t see the other driver’s eyes in his mirrors, he can’t see you!
When you encounter a hazard requiring evasive action, look away from it not at it, i.e. look where you need to go!
|
|
Anticipate the possible actions of other road users.
|
Try to work out what other road users (drivers, pedestrians, cyclists etc) are likely to do.
For example, you are following a cyclist who is pedalling up behind a car parked against the left-hand kerb. You can expect the cyclist to suddenly veer round the parked car into the path of your vehicle without looking behind first. (A very common occurrence!)
|
|
You are in charge - take charge!
|
Don’t let other drivers bully you into doing something dangerous e.g. like letting a tailgater force you to brake late before a turn.
You as the driver are ultimately responsible to ensure that your passengers are properly & legally restrained (seat belts, child seats, baby capsules as required and no riding in open load areas) especially children!
|
