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Hazard perception in stage two
Find out what hazard perception skills your learner needs to know in stage two.
In this topic
What makes a hazard
Examples of potential hazards in stage two
See, Think, Do
How your learner will get better at hazard perception
Blind spots and head checks
Hidden hazards
Examples of things that hide hazards
Help your learner improve their hazard perception, scanning and concentration skills.
What makes a hazard
A hazard can be anything in your learner’s driving environment that could present a danger or risk when they drive.
Examples of potential hazards include:
See
Your learner needs to look around for potential hazards when they drive to help develop their ability to see hazards quickly.
They need to look for hazards to know what’s happening or has changed around them when they’re driving.
Looking for hazards includes:
- Looking well ahead, to the side, behind and around their vehicle.
- Checking the road surface.
- Checking blind spots.
- Looking to the sides of the road for people walking, bike riders and other road users.
- Checking their mirrors regularly, especially before they change speed or position on the road.
Think
After your learner has seen a potential hazard, they need to think about how it may affect them and other roads users.
This means assessing the risk it poses to them and trying to predict what may happen.
Thinking about how a hazard may affect their driving situation helps them work out the safest way to respond.
Do
Now that they’ve seen a hazard and anticipated what may happen, they need to respond in a safe way.
The first thing they should do is slow down and create a safe space between their vehicle and the hazard. This gives them more time to process the situation.
Developing good hazard perception
It can take years to develop good hazard perception skills.
The best way for your learner to get better at hazard perception is to get lots of on-road driving experience.
As your learner gains experience in a range of situations and environments, they’ll get better at seeing and responding to potential hazards.
After your learner has gained some on-road driving experience, you can help improve their hazard perception, scanning and concentration skills by scanning for other vehicles and objects.
You can also encourage them to practice their skills with the hazard perception test online.
Blind spots and head checks
Potential hazards can be anywhere, so your learner needs to rely on more than looking straight ahead and using their mirrors.
Blind spots are areas to the side and behind the car that your learner can’t see using mirrors.
A head check is when your learner turns their head and looks over their shoulder to see what’s in their blind spot.
Your learner should check their blind spot immediately after using their side mirror.
When your learner should use their mirrors
- Your learner should always adjust their rear-view and side mirrors after they've adjusted their seat.
- Your learner should check their mirrors before changing their speed or direction.
- Your learner should check their mirrors before starting a turn or changing lanes.
How your learner should do a head check
- Your learner should look over their shoulder and look through the side window to see what’s in their blind spot.
- Before changing lanes or turning, your learner should check their side mirror and do a head check before they move.
Hidden hazards
Your learner won’t always be able to clearly see hazards, so keep this in mind when they’re looking for them.
Some examples of things that hide hazards are:
