Safe Driving                               

Positive Driving - Skills

1) Observation

  • being aware of: everything that goes around the car, other vehicles and pedestrians and their movements, riders' and drivers' signals, road and weather conditions, road markings, signs and layouts.
  • knowing how to observe by: using scanning techniques, keeping the eyes moving, reading the road ahead, changing focus between the far distance, middle distance and close up.
  • realising the importance of: blind spots and compensating for them, eye contact with others, effective use of all the mirrors, visual clues (tell-tale signs, such as feet under cars and reflections in car and shop windows).

2) Assessment

  • anticipation
  • preparing for situations - asking 'What if?' when seeing a potential hazard
  • preparing to respond safely before the event - not reacting as it happens
  • recognising as early as possible the potential for situations to become dangerous
  • scanning all around while planning the response that might be needed.

3) Decision - making

This could mean

  • changing lanes
  • altering direction
  • changing speed - slowing down, speeding up, stopping, moving off
  • maintaining speed

4) Action

This will always require 

  • correct signalling ( this should not be automatic but as a result of a conscious decision), to advise others of your intentions, to help other road users assess situations
  • maintaining control of the vehicle, which includes - ensuring a safe following (separation) distance to deal with unexpected developments, achieving a safe speed for the road and weather/traffic conditions
  • continual reassessment of developing situations

 

 

Positive Driving - Attitude

1) Responsibility

  • responsible for the vehicle - checking the vehicle is roadworthy, keeping windscreen and windows clean, planning routes to avoid congestion on the road
  • taking responsibility for the driver's safety and that of others by adopting an accident-avoidance approach to driving
  • accepting your own mistakes and those of others, and learning from them
  • driver's responsibility for own fitness to drive - recognising fatigue, planning and taking breaks, not driving whilst under the influence of drink and drugs

2) Care and Consideration

  • being aware that other road users make mistakes and allowing for them
  • recognising vulnerable road users and the associated hazards - older pedestrians, children, cyclists and motorcyclists, people with disabilities

3) Concentration

  • maintaining constant alertness
  • being aware of the risks of boredom and drowsiness on longer journeys, and knowing how to avoid or alleviate them

4) Anticipation

  • being aware of potential hazards and taking steps to minimise the danger
  • avoiding conflict and competitive situations

5) Patience

  • staying calm
  • not being provoked
  • not provoking others

6) Confidence

  • being in control without being over-confident
  • gaining satisfaction from driving well