Safe Driving, Hazard Perception and Eco-Driving
Hazard perception questions test whether you scan ahead and anticipate rather than react. The core skill is the systematic scan: look far ahead, check mirrors every few seconds, and watch for clues such as brake lights two cars ahead, pedestrians near kerbs, and vehicles emerging from side roads. Junctions, bends, hill crests, and pedestrian crossings are the classic hazard zones. In poor visibility, reduce speed so you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear.
Defensive driving principles: assume other drivers may not see you, keep a space cushion around the car, and avoid sudden manoeuvres. Fatigue is a major hazard - the only cure is to stop and rest, not to open a window or turn up the radio. Distraction from phones is illegal and dangerous; even hands-free calls reduce attention.
Eco-driving reduces fuel use and emissions: accelerate smoothly, shift up early, maintain steady speed, anticipate and coast to stops rather than braking late, keep tyres correctly inflated, and remove unnecessary roof racks and weight. Idling wastes fuel - switch off the engine when stationary for more than a short wait.
Traps: questions ask whether opening a window cures fatigue (it does not), whether coasting in neutral saves fuel (it does not and is unsafe), and whether eco-driving means driving slowly (it means driving smoothly).
Worked example: approaching a red light 200 m ahead, lift off the accelerator and coast down, braking gently - you save fuel and arrive at the same time as a driver who races up and brakes hard.