Safe Driving Practices and Hazard Awareness
Seeing hazards early
The core skill tested here is scanning: look far ahead, check mirrors regularly, and anticipate what other road users might do. A hazard is anything requiring you to change speed or direction - a parked car with a door about to open, a pedestrian near a crossing, a cyclist wobbling on a narrow lane. Good drivers identify hazards early and plan a response; poor drivers react late.
The main risk areas
Speed and stopping distance are favourite topics: stopping distance grows with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples the braking distance. Wet roads extend it further and reduce grip. Alcohol, tiredness and phone use all slow reaction time. In rain, aquaplaning can occur - ease off the accelerator rather than braking hard. At night, dip your headlights for oncoming traffic and never overdrive your lights.
Traps
Questions often describe a developing hazard and ask for the safest action. The answer is usually the calm one: slow down, increase your gap, be prepared to stop - not swerve or brake sharply. Watch for questions about following distance in rain, or about overtaking where visibility is limited. Never overtake near a crest, bend or crossing.
Rule of thumb
Use the only-a-fool test: if you would need luck to get away with it, don't do it. If you cannot see far enough to complete a manoeuvre safely, wait.