The be able to anticipate and plan is a skill the separate average drivers from excellent drivers.

 

It starts with the being able to spot potential hazards.

 

Potential hazards can turn into developing hazards.

 

Developing hazards can mean we need to take action.

 

The possibilities for potential hazards are endless, some more commonly occur than others.

 

To help spot potential hazards, we must build looking for then into our general scanning of the road ahead and behind.

 

 

Try to use what you can see to plan your next move.

 

“The traffic ahead is slowing down, I can come off the gas”

 

"There's a bus up ahead, what is a bus likely to do occasionally?"

 

“The lights are on green, but they might change to red, how can I choose a safe approach speed”

 

“There’s an entry slip road, can I move over to let traffic on?”

 

"There's a delivery van in front of me, what do delivery vans need to do sometimes?"

 

 

Try to anticipate the actions of other road users.

 

“Will that car change lane?, is the lane next to me clear if I need to move over?”

 

“Is that bus looking to pull away?  Do I need to give way?”

 

“Will the pedestrian press the button at the crossing?”

 

“That cyclist just looked over their right shoulder, are they looking to turn?”

 

“Why is that car going too slow? Is it lost? Will it stop or turn suddenly?”

 

“Is that delivery driver that has just pulled over going to open their door?”

 

 

We can generate worst case scenarios and as "what if".

 

“What if that child stepped out into the road”

 

“What if that piece of wood falls of the back of that truck”

 

“What if that cyclist steers around that drain cover”

 

“What if the car reversing out of its driveway doesn’t see me”