Hazard perception handbook - RTA

A hazard perception action plan
Through scanning and hazard perception you are trying to:
See road hazards (eg pedestrian waiting to cross the road ahead).
Think about what might happen (eg pedestrian might walk in front of your car).
Think about possible solutions (eg slow down, change lanes or increase space
between your car and pedestrian, sound horn).
Do something to remain safe (eg slow down and give the pedestrian more space).
This hazard perception process can be summarised as:
• See
• Think
• Do
Scanning is the ‘see’ part of the process. Understanding that these three steps are
the basis of good hazard perception can be helpful.
Of course, all of this takes place very quickly, sometimes in only a few seconds.
This is why you need to practise in real traffic so that hazard perception skills like
scanning become automatic.
LISTENING fOR HAzARdS
While driving is mainly a visual task, listening can also help detect hazards. for
example, you can often hear a siren before you actually see an emergency vehicle like
an ambulance. Another example is motorcycles – they can be hard to see, but the
sound of an engine can let you know there is one nearby.
To help you listen for hazards, it is good not to have the radio or stereo too loud
when you are driving.
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