Driving skills syllabus

30 Scanning and hazard recognition

Note: because this lesson is more complex, it may be a good idea to try it first with a driving instructor.

To continually scan for hazards while driving.
To recognise and be aware of various driving hazards.
To react appropriately to those hazards by adjusting driving behaviour (such as changing speed or direction).

Parked on the side of the road in a place where various kinds of driving hazards can be seen. The coach should tick the hazards they see and ask the driver to point out any hazards they can see.

The coach should then point out any hazards that were not recognised by the driver.

In an area with a range of different road types with a full range of speed limits and potential hazards, including one-way streets, right and left turns, roundabouts, traffic signals, motorways and city driving, lane changing, narrow roads, hills, railway level crossings, schools and shopping areas.

While driving, the driver should describe aloud the hazards they see and say what they are doing to react to it. For example:
- ‘Coming up to a bend. Slowing down, keeping left.'
- ‘Coming up to an intersection with a Stop sign. After stopping, I'm checking. It's all clear.'

This lesson should be repeated in different kinds of weather conditions and at night.

When identifying hazards:

(Coach to tick hazards observed Left, Right, Ahead, Behind or Oncoming)

Pedestrians      L   R   A

Vehicles           L   R   A   B   O

Other hazards   L   R   A   B   O

(Other hazards can include animals, intersections, curves, bends, obstacles - for example, rocks or tree branches on the road - weather and changing road surfaces.)
- Correctly identify various kinds of hazards.
When reacting to hazards:
- Scan continually for hazards in front (12 seconds ahead), behind and to the sides (including blind spots).
- Correctly identify various kinds of hazards.
- React appropriately to various kinds of hazards.
- Repeat the tasks at least three times.

Last updated: 30 April 2009