Hazard Awareness: Spot It, Plan It, Avoid It

Every hazard you spot early is an incident avoided. DVSA hazard perception clips reward anticipation, not reaction.

• Developing hazards are things that will cause you to change speed or direction if they continue.
• Use mirrors before every change in speed or position to check who is affected by your response.
• Slow down and cover the brake when your view is limited—bends, junctions, and brows of hills.

• Static hazards: parked vehicles, roadworks, traffic calming measures.
• Moving hazards: cyclists, pedestrians stepping between cars, merging traffic.
• Environmental hazards: rain, glare, debris, animals, or mud on the road.

Ask ‘What might happen next?’ and decide your plan early. Options include changing road position, easing off the accelerator, and preparing to brake. Smooth planning keeps passengers comfortable and avoids panic stops.

• Children near crossings or school gates—expect sudden movement.
• Country roads with hidden entrances—use the limit point of vision and keep speeds moderate.
• Night-time or dusk drives—look for reflections of lights on wet surfaces indicating hidden vehicles or pedestrians.