Road Safety and Accident Prevention
Core concepts
Accident prevention rests on observation, anticipation and space. You must understand blind spots around a lorry or coach, the wide swept path of a turning articulated vehicle, and the danger to cyclists and pedestrians on the inside of a turn. Defensive driving means assuming others may not see you and adjusting position and speed accordingly.
Other essentials: safe following distance, correct use of mirrors before manoeuvring, reversing with assistance where possible, behaviour at level crossings and in tunnels, motorway discipline (joining, lane use, breakdown procedure), and the use of warning devices and the reflective vest.
Vulnerable road users
Cyclists, motorcyclists, children and older pedestrians are over-represented in serious collisions with heavy vehicles. The classic scenario is a lorry turning right (or left in left-hand-traffic countries) across a cyclist travelling straight on. Prevention: check the blind spot, use the mirrors through the turn, and hold back if unsure.
Accident procedure
Protect the scene, warn other traffic, call emergency services, give first aid within your competence, exchange details, and record evidence without moving casualties unless there is immediate danger.
Traps in questions
- Assuming a cyclist will stop because you are indicating - the indicator does not give priority.
- Forgetting the rear overhang and swept path when turning.
- Believing a reflective vest is only for breakdowns on motorways; it should be worn whenever you leave the vehicle on the carriageway.
- Moving an injured person as a routine step.
Rule of thumb
Before any turn, ask: "Who could be on my inside, and have I looked twice?" If the answer is uncertain, wait.