Anticipation and Awareness

Effective Anticipation

In any traffic situation, some events are certain to happen, while others are only possible.

To anticipate means to think ahead — to consider and prepare for what might occur.

You can anticipate effectively by using all available information early and staying alert to your surroundings.

Ask yourself:

  • What am I likely to find ahead?

  • What are other road users trying to do?

  • Should I speed up, slow down, or stop?

Changing and Difficult Conditions

Once you can maintain a straight course with both hands, practise steering with one hand.

This skill isn’t meant for regular use but is helpful when you briefly need one hand free — for example, to change gear or operate a control.

Traffic and road conditions are constantly changing. You must:

  • Check and recheck what’s happening around you

  • Stay alert and think ahead at all times

It becomes harder to anticipate hazards when:

  • Visibility is poor (e.g. fog, rain, or snow)

  • Traffic is heavy

  • The route is unfamiliar

Keep your arm slightly firm to help maintain direction without pulling the wheel down or swerving. Practise steering with each hand individually.

Different Road Types

The type of road affects how far ahead you can plan.

  • On quiet roads, it’s easier to anticipate what others might do.

  • On busy single carriageways, dual carriageways, and motorways, there are far more possibilities to consider.

Driving Ahead

Look well ahead to predict what might happen. Stay observant and alert at all times.

Assess the movement of all road users — including pedestrians — as far as you can see along your route.

You should:

  • Scan the road ahead, behind, and to both sides

  • Observe the near, middle, and far distance

  • Check mirrors frequently

  • Keep scanning to update your awareness

Observation

New drivers often focus mainly on controlling the vehicle. With practice, learn to read the road — to pick out key details that affect safety. You can even practise this as a passenger.

Look for:

  • Other vehicles and pedestrians

  • Signals from other drivers

  • Road signs and markings

  • The type and condition of the road surface

  • Large vehicles needing extra space to turn or manoeuvre

  • The movement of vehicles well ahead, not just the one in front

  • Side roads, hills, or junctions ahead

  • Buses indicating to move out from stops

Clues on the Road

Look for small details that help you anticipate what might happen:

  • Watch for changing conditions in built-up areas where traffic is unpredictable.

  • Reflections in shop windows can reveal vehicles or pedestrians in blind spots.

  • A pedestrian near a zebra crossing may step out suddenly.

  • Look over, under, and through parked cars to spot hidden hazards such as children or pedestrians.

  • Be cautious near parked cars with someone in the driver’s seat — they may move off without checking.

  • Drivers dropping off or picking up passengers may stop or pull away suddenly.

  • When following a bus, watch for passengers standing — it will likely stop soon.

Remember: Always try to anticipate what other road users might do next.

Awareness

How much you can see depends on how well you can see.

  • Have your eyesight checked regularly — changes can occur gradually.

  • Use your hearing too. At junctions with poor visibility, you might hear a vehicle before you see it.

Be extra cautious near schools, works entrances, and other busy areas — expect more pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. Watch for cars and buses picking up or dropping off passengers at school times.

Emergency Vehicles

Look and listen for emergency vehicles. In addition to police, fire, and ambulance services, others such as coastguard, mountain rescue, bomb disposal, and blood transfusion services may use blue flashing lights.

Doctors on emergency calls may use green flashing lights.

When you see or hear an emergency vehicle:

  • Check its direction — behind, ahead, or across your path

  • Stay calm and think clearly

  • Take any reasonable and legal action to help it pass safely

  • Never break the law to get out of the way

Do not:

  • Cross a red traffic light

  • Enter a bus lane during its restricted hours

  • Mount kerbs or damage your vehicle by moving onto unsafe surfaces

  • Exceed the speed limit

Choose a safe place to pull over — avoid stopping just before a bend, hill, or narrow section where the vehicle might struggle to pass.

Remember: Some ambulances travel slowly, even with blue lights flashing, to give patients a smooth ride. Don’t drive in a way that forces them to brake or swerve sharply.

Driving in Busy Areas

In busy areas, stay alert to every possible hazard.

Drive at a safe and appropriate speed — the limit is not always safe in all conditions.

Example: On a narrow residential street with parked cars, a much lower speed may be necessary even if the limit is 30 mph.

When driving in queues:

  • Leave junctions and entrances clear to prevent blocking

  • Allow others to turn in or out safely

  • Avoid unnecessary congestion

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