Proactive driving
Proactive driving is driving with the aim to anticipate possible hazards and take action to reduce, minimize, or avoid danger before it can occur.
Never assume other drivers are going to drive carefully or respond correctly. Anticipating what might happen can help you to avoid collisions caused by the driving errors of others. This chapter describes skills and techniques for driving proactively.
Scan all around your vehicle
Most of your attention should be given to looking forward and scanning for hazards that are developing ahead of you. When you are driving in an urban area, look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle. This is about one to one-and-a-half blocks. When you are driving in rural areas, look at least 20 to 25 seconds ahead of your vehicle. This is your visual lead time, which provides you with time to respond to hazards ahead of you. Check behind you by glancing in your rear view mirrors every eight to 12 seconds (about every block in an urban area). Glance in your rear view mirrors when you anticipate slowing or stopping. Be aware of vehicles on both sides and in your blind spots. Do not forget to glance at your speedometer to check your speed.
Watch for potential hazards
Proactive driving involves a continuous process of watching your surroundings and thinking about whether hazards are developing, and then taking action to reduce risks. Watch for hazards that are fixed (those that do not change) and hazards that are variable (those that change).
Fixed hazards are permanent conditions and situations along the roadway, including:
- restricted vision areas such as curves, hills, and hidden driveways
- intersections
- merging roadways.
Variable hazards change through the day, including:
- school children and other pedestrians
- left-turning vehicles
- icy road surfaces
- “stale” green lights
- emergency vehicles.
Be prepared to take action to avoid a problem as the situation changes. Expect the unexpected and always plan an escape route.
Have a space cushion
Leave enough space between yourself and the vehicles ahead, behind, and to either side, to stop safely or steer around a possible hazard. If someone is following too closely, and if it is safe, reduce your speed just enough to encourage them to pass. If the person does not pass, create a wider space cushion between you and the vehicle ahead.