Safety, Hazard Perception and Defensive Driving
Look far, think ahead
Hazard perception is scored on how early you spot a developing problem. Scan twelve to fifteen seconds ahead, check the mirrors every few seconds, and keep your eyes moving rather than fixing on the car in front.
The two-second rule
Pick a fixed point ahead, recite 'only a fool breaks the two-second rule', and check that you reach it no sooner than the vehicle ahead. Double it in rain, at night, or when following a lorry or bus that hides the road. Wet tarmac sharply reduces grip and lengthens braking distance.
Typical hazards here
Potholes and broken edges, especially after heavy rain; flooded roads and open drains; pedestrians walking on the carriageway, often at dusk; buses stopping abruptly with passengers crossing in front of them; motorcyclists filtering through traffic; dogs and livestock; gravel, sand and spilled oil at junctions; slow or overloaded vehicles.
Defensive habits
Cover the brake when a hazard is developing and always leave yourself an escape route. Do not overtake unless you can see the whole gap is clear and can complete the move legally. Dip headlights for oncoming traffic at night; use fog lights only in poor visibility and switch them off afterwards. If you feel sleepy, stop and rest - fresh air and loud music do not work.
Worked example
A bus ahead slows at a stop and people are standing on the pavement. The car behind is close. Reasoning: passengers may step out in front of the bus, and the bus may pull out again. Drop back, cover the brake, do not overtake, and be ready to stop.
Traps
Overdriving your headlights at night; assuming another driver has seen you; tailgating to 'help' someone go faster; driving through moving flood water; staring at the hazard instead of the escape route.