Anticipation

Good drivers can anticipate the actions of other road users. They have the ability to work out what might happen next, and take action before it happens.

Your Driving Licence Is Waiting For You

Observation

A pedestrian is walking straight ahead along the pavement to your left. You notice that they look over their right shoulder. What could it mean?

Action: This pedestrian could be about to cross the road. Look in all three mirrors and reduce your speed…just in case they do. You must check all three mirrors to see if anyone is travelling so close behind that you have to temper your braking.

Observation

You are driving along a road and a football bounces over a fence. What might happen next?

Action: Children often follow balls into the road. Do the same as before: check mirrors and reduce speed.

Observation

A cyclist is riding along the road ahead of you. They are approaching an obstruction – a double-parked van – but they don’t look over their shoulder or raise their right arm. What’s likely to happen next?

Action: Cyclists don’t always give arm signals. Assume that they will move out to pass the van. Slow down so that you are ready for that action.

O U T

As these examples show, anything is possible. You have to be ready for it. You have to look ‘OUT’.
Over vehicles for pedestrians’ heads
Under vehicles for pedestrians’ feet
Through glass and into wing mirrors for passengers who could suddenly open a door.

Clearance to the back

When you stop behind other vehicles in traffic (at traffic lights or a junction, for example), always leave adequate clearance between you and the car in front. You should be able to see the point where the tyres of the vehicle in front touch the tarmac.

If the vehicle in front breaks down, you’ll still have enough room to get your car out.
If an emergency vehicle needs to get past, you’ll have room to let it through.
If the vehicle in front rolls back, you’ll have given its driver more time to react.