Driving is never risk free, but you should aim to drive ‘low risk’. A low risk driver has goodobservation, speed management and road positioning skills.
Observation
The key to good observation is scanning. Scanning is keeping your eyes moving, checking in one area for a couple of seconds and then moving your eye to another area.
When scanning look:
- In the distance
- At the road surface
- To your left and right
- Regularly at your mirrors and instruments.
Speed management
Drive at a speed that is within the speed limit and this will allow you to react and completely stop within the distance you can see is clear. When you see potential hazards, slow down and prepare to stop (referred to as setting up the brakes), for example when pedestrians are close to the road or when other vehicles may turn in front of you. If you cannot see at least five seconds ahead you must slow down. Slow down on wet, icy or gravel roads where it will take longer for your vehicle to stop.
What is a hazard?
A hazard is any possible danger that might lead to a crash. Hazards can be seen or unseen, actual or potential, for example.
- A pedestrian waiting to cross
- A blind corner
- A car approaching a stop sign on an adjacent street
- Poor driving conditions.
Road positioning
Position your vehicle to maximize the distance from hazards (referred to as buffering). For example, moving to the left at the crest of a hill to create space from oncoming vehicles, or moving away from parked cars to avoid pedestrians and doors opening. Check your mirrors before making any change to your speed or position
Crash avoidance space
A safe low risk driver maintains a crash avoidance space completely around the vehicle. The crash avoidance space is managed by adjusting the vehicle’s speed and road position. To determine the crash avoidance space to the front of the vehicle you need to take into account two key factors – reaction time and response time. Reaction time is the time the driver needs to:
- See the information
- Perceive what it means
- Decide on a response
- Instigate that response.
A driver who is fit, concentrating, alert and not affected by alcohol, drugs, fatigue or a distraction, will still require about one and a half seconds to react to a hazard.
Response time is the time required to take action. Generally a minimum of one and a half seconds is needed to respond. In many situations braking may be the only possible response. Swerving is rarely appropriate and can result in a more severe crash, for example a head-on collision. A total of three seconds crash avoidance space is needed to react and respond to a situation in front of you. You may need even longer in poor conditions such as in rain or darkness. The three-second gap, explained on the next page, can be used when following another vehicle or if there is potential for something to move into your crash avoidance space.
Following another vehicle
To calculate a three-second crash avoidance space when following another vehicle use this basic technique. As the rear of the vehicle in front of you passes an object at the side of the road such as a power pole, tree or sign, start a three-second count ‘one thousand and one, one thousand and two, one thousand and three’.
If your car passes the object you picked before you finish the three-second count, you are following too closely. Your crash avoidance space is not large enough. Slow down, and repeat the count again until the three-second crash avoidance space is achieved.
In poor driving conditions, such as rain, night and gravel roads, it may be necessary to increase your crash avoidance space to four or more seconds. To reduce the risk of driving into the rear of a vehicle, the three-second crash avoidance space is essential, as the vehicle in front has the potential to stop very quickly if it collides with another vehicle or stationary object.
The three second gap will change depending on you speed. Potential for something to move into the crash avoidance space
The three-second gap can also be used for situations where there is potential for something to move into your crash avoidance space; for example a car in an adjacent street could fail to give way and pull out in front of you. Safe low risk drivers experienced in maintaining a three-second following distance are able to mentally judge a three-second crash avoidance space in front of their vehicle. If there is potential for a hazard to enter this crash avoidance space, reduce your speed to create a buffer. It is necessary to maintain the crash avoidance space for all potentially hazardous situations, including blind corners and crests.
Many of the crashes that occur each day in NSW could be avoided if drivers actively maintained their crash avoidance space.
If an oncoming vehicle crosses the centre line and is heading towards you, slow down, move left and flash your head lights. If one or two of your wheels run off the edge of the road you should slow down gradually and ease back onto the road.
Information source – https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/safe-driving/low-risk-
driving.html
