Observations

Good Observation

Good Observation involves watching other road users and assessing their:

  • Speed

  • Behaviour

  • Intentions

At junctions, if your view is blocked (by parked cars, for example), move forward carefully until you can see clearly — but never into the path of oncoming traffic.

Remember LADA:
Look – Assess – Decide – Act

Observing What's Ahead

Keep your eyes moving — ahead, to the sides, and behind using your mirrors.
Always drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely within the distance you can see is clear.

Approaching a bend? Ask yourself:

  • Can I see the full road ahead?

  • How sharp is the bend?

  • Am I in the right position and at the right speed?

  • What might be around the corner?

  • Could I stop safely if needed?

Approaching a junction? Ask:

  • Have I seen the full layout?

  • Can other drivers see me?

  • Have they acknowledged me?

  • Do I have an escape route if they haven’t?

Left-Hand-Drive Vehicles

If driving a left-hand-drive vehicle, remember your field of vision is different. Use your mirrors more frequently to compensate.

Zone of Vision at a Junction

Your zone of vision is the area you can see ahead and to each side.

As you approach a junction, this view usually widens. Sometimes, you must creep forward slightly to see clearly — especially if parked cars or buildings block your view.

  • Look in every direction before emerging

  • Keep checking as you join the road

  • Be prepared to stop

  • Use reflections (e.g., in shop windows) to spot oncoming traffic

Screen Pillar Blind Spots

Windscreen pillars can hide pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists — especially at junctions and bends. Move your head slightly to see around them.

Remember that larger vehicles have bigger blind spots.

Watch for Vulnerable Road Users

Take special care when emerging from junctions or turning:

  • Pedestrians – may cross unexpectedly

  • Cyclists – can be hidden by obstacles and move faster than expected

  • Motorcyclists – harder to see and usually much faster

Make eye contact whenever possible — it helps confirm that others have seen you.

Ensure that it is safe before you emerge from a junction - A quick glance is not sufficient.

Observation Behind

Before changing speed or direction, always check behind. Know how your actions will affect other drivers — particularly those overtaking.

Using Your Mirrors

Regular mirror use helps you stay aware of everything behind without losing sight of what’s ahead.

Check mirrors as far back as you look ahead — not just at the nearest vehicle.

Keep mirrors clean and properly adjusted.

Use mirrors before:

  • Moving off

  • Changing direction or lanes

  • Turning left or right

  • Overtaking

  • Slowing down or stopping

  • Opening a door

And always check your blind spot before moving off.

A quick sideways glance is useful when:

  • Changing lanes on a motorway or dual carriageway

  • Merging with traffic from slip roads

Be cautious at high speeds — even half a second’s glance away at 70 mph means you’ve travelled about 15 metres (50 feet).

Acting on What You See

Observation is useless unless you act on it.

Consider what others might do next — their speed, positioning and intentions.

Approaching Green Lights

Ask yourself:

  • How long have they been green?

  • Are there queues waiting in other directions?

  • Can I stop safely if they change?

  • Can the driver behind stop safely too?

Don’t:

  • Speed up to “beat” the lights

  • Brake harshly at the last second

Some drivers move off on red and amber — don’t copy this. It’s unsafe and could be recorded by safety cameras.

If traffic signals fail, treat the junction as unmarked and proceed with extreme care. 

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