Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumHazard Perception and Anticipation

You are driving along an urban road past a line of parked cars and notice reversing lights illuminate on one of the vehicles ahead. In what chronological sequence should you carry out the following actions to anticipate and manage this developing hazard safely?

  1. 1Recognise the illuminated reversing lights as a visual cue that the vehicle is about to reverse into your path.
  2. 2Check your interior and right door mirrors to assess the proximity and speed of following traffic.
  3. 3Ease off the accelerator and cover the brake pedal to reduce speed smoothly.
  4. 4Adjust your road position to maintain a safe clearance width from the parked vehicle while remaining prepared to stop.

Answer

Recognise the hazard cue, check mirrors to assess following traffic, ease off the accelerator and cover the brake to reduce speed, and adjust road position for safety clearance while remaining prepared to stop.
Safe hazard anticipation follows a structured defensive driving process: first scanning and spotting the clue (reversing lights), then checking mirrors to evaluate behind, easing off the accelerator and covering the brake to control speed smoothly, and finally adjusting lateral clearance while remaining prepared to stop.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Scan ahead and detect the early warning sign of reversing lights on the parked vehicle.
The potential hazard is identified before it turns into an immediate emergency.
Effective hazard perception relies on early detection of visual clues to give sufficient time to react.
2
Check the interior mirror and right door mirror.
Awareness of any vehicles or cyclists closely following or overtaking is established.
The Mirrors-Speed-Position routine requires checking mirrors before any alteration in speed or direction.
3
Release the accelerator pedal and place your foot over the brake pedal without pressing hard.
The vehicle slows down smoothly and reaction time is minimized if emergency braking becomes necessary.
Covering the brake removes thinking distance delay and prevents abrupt braking that could endanger following traffic.
4
Steer slightly out to provide a safety clearance (at least a door's width) if oncoming traffic permits, and be ready to stop.
A safe lateral cushion is maintained away from the hazard.
Maintaining adequate clearance ensures you avoid collision even if the parked vehicle unexpectedly rolls back.

Key Concept

Defensive hazard anticipation routine using Mirrors-Speed-Position principles
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Hazard Perception and Anticipation

More questions from this topic