5 see-think-do

In the previous four chapters, you began developing your

in this chapter smart driving skills by learning the basics of driving:
• being a thinking driver
• See
–– observation • maintaining a safe vehicle
–– hazard • understanding signs, signals and road markings
perception
• knowing the rules of the road.
• Think
–– assess the risk This chapter will bring all of these concepts together and
–– choose a solution describe how to use them as part of see-think-do — a driving
• Do strategy that helps you to be a safe and competent driver.
–– speed control see — scan for hazards. Pay attention to other road users and
–– steering the areas where hazards could occur.
–– space margins
think — decide which hazards are the most dangerous.
–– communication Think quickly about possible solutions. Decide on the safest
• Using see-think-do solution.
do — do manoeuvres to keep yourself and others safe.

see-think-do
Whenever you drive, your eyes should be scanning the area
around you to gather information. Good observation means
knowing how to look and where to look. The next step is hazard
perception — knowing what to look for.

Observation
Good observation involves looking ahead, beside and behind.

You in the driver’s seat

You’re driving along a city street, scanning well ahead.
You check your mirrors — the car behind is keeping well
back. There is an intersection ahead. You carefully scan the
intersection to see if it’s clear before you proceed.

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Strategies: the observation cycle

Always keep your eyes moving while you’re driving:
• look well ahead
• scan from one side of the road to the other, checking
for potential hazards
• glance in your rear- and side-view mirrors to keep track
of what is happening behind you.
Then start all over again. You should complete the whole
cycle every five to eight seconds.

Observing ahead
warning!
Research shows that new drivers spend so much time looking
Don’t overdrive your at the road just in front of their vehicle that they often miss
ability to see. You should hazards further ahead. Make sure you know what’s coming up
always be able to stop by scanning at least 12 seconds ahead. This means look one to
within the distance you two blocks ahead in city driving and half a kilometre ahead on
can see.
the highway. This will give you time to prepare for a potential
hazard instead of being taken by surprise.
As you look ahead, scan to the left and right so you can see
what’s happening along the sides of the road. If you see cars
parked by the side of the road, be careful. A child may be
walking out from between them, or a door might be about to
swing open.

driving tip
By looking ahead, you
can avoid sudden stops,
which increase your fuel
consumption.

It’s easiest to see things

that are directly in front of
you, in your central vision.
But it’s important to also
pay attention to things
outside your central
vision. Peripheral vision
allows you to see more
than what is directly in
front of you.

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Observing behind
Your side- and rear-view mirrors let you know what is happening
behind you. Adjust them to get the best possible view. Look in
each mirror about every five to eight seconds and pay attention
to what you see.
Rear-view mirrors — look in the rear-view mirror before you
slow down or stop. Will the cars behind you have space to
stop? If not, you may need to take action.
Side-view mirrors — use your side-view mirrors whenever you
are planning to change your road position or direction. When
you’re pulling away from the right side of the road, you need
to check your left mirror to make sure there are no cars coming
from behind. If you’re making a lane change to the right,
check your right mirror to make sure there’s enough space
to move into.
Blind spots — even when your mirrors are properly adjusted,
there are large areas that you can’t see in your mirrors. These
are called blind spots. The most dangerous blind spots are to
the side. There are also blind spots below your field of vision
to the front, rear and both sides of your vehicle.

Blind spot
Each vehicle has smaller
blind spots at the front
and at the back, as well as
the two large blind spots
on the sides. Their size Blind Blind
spot spot
depends on the shape
and size of your vehicle.
Try sitting in your vehicle
and finding the areas you
can’t see even when you Blind spot
use your mirrors.

Blind spot detectors, cameras — Some vehicles are equipped

with blind spot detectors and/or back-up cameras. While these
can help you to detect hazards in blind spots or behind the
vehicle, they do not replace the need to turn your head to do a
shoulder check or look behind.
Shoulder checks — whenever you plan to change your
direction or road position, do a shoulder check to make sure
the blind spot on that side is clear.
When you’re going to turn right, for example, quickly check to
the right just to make sure no one is in that space. And don’t
forget to do a mirror check and shoulder check before you
open your door to get out of your vehicle. A cyclist or other
vehicle could be coming up beside you.

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Do a shoulder check to
be certain your blind spot
is clear before you move
your vehicle into another
lane or in a different
direction. Look at least
45 degrees over your
shoulder in the direction
you plan to move. If you
are going to move to the
right, check over your
right shoulder. If you are
going to move to the
left, check over your left
shoulder.

Strategies: making your move

Check your mirrors and do a shoulder check whenever you
plan to:
• pull out from the side of the road
• pull over to the side of the road
• change lanes
• turn left or turn right.

Backing up — before you back up, make sure you do a

driving tip 360-degree vision check. Look all around the vehicle using
shoulder checks and mirror checks, and then turn your body to
Before you start to back look out the rear window while backing up. Be especially careful
up, give a quick warning when you’re backing out of a driveway. It’s easy to miss seeing
tap on your horn if children, pets, pedestrians, cyclists and people in wheelchairs.
visibility is limited.
If you’ve been stopped for some time, walk around the back
of your vehicle to check that your path is clear. Better yet, try
to back into driveways and parking spots so you can drive out
facing forward.

Observing at intersections
crash fact Look well ahead as you approach an intersection. Check for
Almost 60 per cent of all signs, signals and other clues about whether you will need
crashes in B.C. happen at to stop.
intersections.
As you’re approaching an intersection, scan the road you are
Source: ICBC reported crossing — look left, centre, right, then glance left again. If an
five year average from
2009 to 2013.
oncoming vehicle is turning left, take extra care — the driver
may not see you. And check crosswalks you intend to cross to
make sure they are clear.

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Bushes and large vehicles

are two of the many things
that could block your view
of an intersection and
oncoming traffic. Can you
think of some other things
that might block your view
of an intersection?

Stopping and starting up again — as you slow down to stop,

check your mirrors for traffic behind you. Then make sure you
have a clear view of the intersection. You may need to move
slowly into the intersection if your view is blocked so you can
see clearly before going ahead.
Turning — shoulder check to make sure a cyclist or other road
user hasn’t come up beside you. Then scan the intersection
just as you begin to move forward. Make sure that your eyes are
looking in the direction you want to go once you begin
your turn.

Hazard perception

You in the driver’s seat

You’re driving in the rain, using your eyes to gather
information ahead, to the sides and in your mirrors. Just
ahead there’s a cyclist. Further on, a bus has stopped to
let passengers out. Just behind you is a driver who seems
to be moving up too close behind you. Suddenly, the door
of a parked car swings open right in front of the cyclist.
Will the cyclist swerve or fall? You take your foot off the
accelerator to slow down, and get ready to put your foot
on the brake.

Driving safely means looking out for hazards. A hazard is

anything in the driving environment that could harm you or
other road users. Hazard perception is the skill of identifying
these hazards. To share the road safely, train yourself to look
for other road users and all objects or road surfaces that might
cause problems for you or for others in the driving environment.
As you drive, think about where hazards could occur.

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The driving environment includes everything around you, including other road users, road
conditions, weather conditions and all activities at the side of the road that might affect you.

Space conflicts
A space conflict happens when two road users try to move into
the same space at the same time. To drive safely, you need to
keep areas of space — called space margins — around your
vehicle. If you need to stop suddenly, a driver too close behind
you could cause a space conflict. Some other space conflicts are:
• a vehicle pulling into your path
• a pedestrian stepping onto the road in front of your vehicle
• a vehicle backing out of a driveway.

Surprises
think about
Anything unpredictable is a hazard. A car door opening
You are about to pull away suddenly could be a surprise for a cyclist. If the cyclist swerves
from the side of the road
into traffic. Where should
to avoid it or falls in front of you, you could be surprised as
you look? What should you well. To avoid surprises, think well ahead and ask yourself what
look for? could possibly happen in the driving environment. Some other
surprises are:
• a driver weaving back and forth
• a poorly loaded pickup truck — something might fall
• a skateboarder who might suddenly dart onto the road.

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Vision blocks
Having your vision blocked is a hazard. Some examples of
vision blocks are:
• a bus that blocks your view of people about to cross the
street
• a curve or hill that doesn’t let you see what’s ahead
• a large truck in the next lane
• fog, rain or snow.
Be very careful when you can’t see the whole driving scene.

Be extra cautious when

anything blocks your view.
?
What could the driver of
the blue car miss?

Never pass when you are

approaching the top of a
hill. You don’t know what
hazards may be on the
other side of the hill.

Poor road conditions

Poor road surfaces are a hazard because they can affect your
traction and steering. Loose gravel, ice or rain can cause you
to lose control unless you’re prepared. Some other poor road
conditions are:
• a paved road that suddenly changes into a gravel one
• wet or icy patches
• large puddles after a rainstorm.

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developing your smart driving skills

see-think-do
Whenever you drive, you will see hazards. To make good
driving decisions, follow this two-step process:
1. Assess the risk.
2. Choose the best solution.

Assess the risk

You in the driver’s seat – part 1

You’re driving down a two-lane highway, and are just
starting into a sharp curve. You can’t see very far ahead.

In this scene, the risk is moderate. You can’t see well ahead, so
you need to slow down a little and be cautious.

You in the driver’s seat – part 2

As you go into the curve, a driver in a red car behind pulls
out to pass you, even though the highway is divided by a
solid double yellow line.

Now the risk increases. This is not a good time for that driver
to pass because there may be all kinds of hazards just around
the curve.
To assess just how risky this situation is, ask yourself what could
happen. What if that driver finds an unexpected obstacle
just around the curve? He may have to slow down and stop
suddenly or pull back into your lane. That means you need to
be ready to slow down or stop if necessary.

If you are the driver of

the blue car, what are
the possible risks in this
situation?

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You in the driver’s seat – part 3

As you come around the curve, you see a large truck in
the approaching lane. The car that is passing you may cut
in front of you, trying to get out of the way of the truck.
To make matters worse, you see a fallen branch on the
road ahead.

When you find yourself in a situation with more than one

hazard, what do you do? You need to figure out which hazard
is the most dangerous.

What is the most

dangerous hazard in
this scene?

Choose a solution

You in the driver’s seat – part 4

Here you are, with a car trying to squeeze in front of you.
What solutions can you think of? You could:
• slow down
• steer out of the way
• honk your horn.

All these solutions involve speed control, steering, space

margins and communication.
As you think of possible solutions, try to predict the possible
outcomes of each one. Here’s a slowed-down version of what
your thinking process might look like:
Speed control
• Can I slow down quickly, or is the road too slippery? Will I skid?
• Can my vehicle stop that quickly? Are my brakes and tire
tread good enough?

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Steering
• If I steer onto the right shoulder, can I keep control of the car?
Space margins
• Do I have space to stop safely? Is there space ahead? Space
behind? Is there a car behind that might crash into me if I
stop suddenly?
• Do I have enough space to steer onto the shoulder?
Communication
• If I honk the horn, will it help to alert the driver?

think about Usually, the solution you choose depends on where the space
is. Is there enough space in front? To the side? Space will allow
You are passing an you to get out of the situation safely.
elementary school. A soccer
ball rolls onto the road about Some decisions have to be made in seconds. This means you
half a block ahead. Assess the
risk — what is the major risk? need lots of practice in assessing risk and choosing the best
Choose the best solution — solution. Practise by thinking ahead about what you would do
what would you do? in emergency situations.

see-think-do
Once you’ve assessed the risk and have chosen a solution, you
need to use your driving skills to perform the manoeuvre. The
“do” step of see-think-do involves:
• speed control
• steering
• space margins
• communication.
All of your driving manoeuvres will combine these four skills,
whether you are driving straight, turning at an intersection or
swerving to avoid a hazard.

Speed control

You in the driver’s seat

You’re driving along a rural road at 80 km/h. A yellow sign
warns there’s a sharp curve ahead. You take your foot off
the accelerator and apply the brake to slow down to
30 km/h before the curve. At the midpoint of the curve,
you accelerate slightly, and speed up once more on a
straight stretch. Then you notice something up ahead
which looks like a road construction sign. You take your
foot off the accelerator to slow down.

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You are using the tools of speed control — the accelerator and
crash fact the brake. If you drive a vehicle with a standard transmission,
you’ll also use the gears to help you control your speed. Good
In B.C. in 2014: speed control means maintaining appropriate and steady
• Speed was a factor in speeds based on the driving conditions.
about 27 per cent of all
reported fatal collisions.
• 4,942 people were Appropriate speeds
injured and 167 died
in collisions involving
Speeding is risky, but the safest speed isn’t always the slowest
speed. speed. If you drive much slower than surrounding traffic, other
drivers might get frustrated and try to pass you.
Source: Police Traffic
Accident System Aim for a speed that’s appropriate for the conditions in which
you are driving. The posted speed is the maximum for ideal
conditions only. Choose a slower speed if the conditions are
not ideal — for instance, if the roads are slippery or visibility
is limited.
Unless a sign tells you otherwise, speed limits are:
• 50 km/h within cities and towns
• 80 km/h outside cities and towns
• 20 km/h is the maximum speed limit in a lane or alleyway
driving tip within municipalities unless otherwise posted.

Driving at a steady speed Steady speeds

saves fuel. Suddenly
changing your speed or
To keep a steady speed, use your brake and accelerator
driving over the speed smoothly. Driving up to a stop sign quickly and then hitting the
limit will increase your fuel brake isn’t good for your passengers or your vehicle. It can also
consumption. cause the driver behind to crash into the rear of your vehicle.
To keep your driving speed smooth and steady, you need
to anticipate. When you see a stop sign, start to slow down.
Scan for hazards ahead, and use your brakes to gradually slow
your vehicle.

Prepare yourself when

you see a hazard ahead.
Take your foot off the
accelerator and cover 1. Cover brake here
the brake by resting your
2. Apply brake here
foot lightly on the brake
pedal without activating
the brake. Your vehicle will
slow slightly and you will 3. Able to stop here
be able to respond more
If brake is not covered the car won’t stop
quickly if you must stop. before the crosswalk

Physics and driving

You need to pay attention to the laws of physics when you drive:
Traction — this is the grip your tires have on the road.

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Slippery or sandy road surfaces, worn tires, and under- or over-

inflated tires that don’t grab the road will reduce traction. Slow
down if you are on a poor road surface.
Inertia — this is the tendency for moving objects — in this
case, you and your vehicle — to continue moving forward in a
straight line. When you brake, inertia tries to keep your vehicle
moving. When you go around a curve, inertia tries to keep you
going in a straight line. The faster you are going, the greater
the force of inertia.
Gravity — this is the force that pulls everything towards earth.
It’s the reason your vehicle slows down going up a hill and
speeds up coming down. It’s important to remember this when
you’re going downhill because your vehicle will need a longer
distance to stop.
Centre of gravity — this is the point around which all of an
object’s weight is balanced. The centre of gravity for any object
can change. For example, a tightrope walker may carry a pole to
lower the body’s centre of gravity and make it easier to balance.
Most vehicles are built on the same principle — low enough
to the ground so they balance well on hills, curves and uneven
road surfaces. But some vehicles — for example, some sports
utility vehicles, pickup trucks and camper vans — have a higher
centre of gravity. Whenever the height of a vehicle or its load
rises, the centre of gravity also rises. A vehicle with a higher
centre of gravity is less stable on uneven road surfaces and is
more likely to tip over on a curve taken at higher speeds.
You need to remember this if you are driving one of these
types of vehicles.

The blue car has a low

centre of gravity. On a
curve, the weight shifts
to one side but the car
remains stable. The truck,
with its large wheels, has
a much higher centre of
gravity. On a flat surface
it is stable, but when
the weight shifts on a
curve, the truck becomes
unstable and may roll.

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Handling curves
When you go around a curve, inertia tries to keep your vehicle
going in a straight line, while traction tries to keep your tires
sticking to the curved pavement. The faster you travel, the more
pressure is exerted on the outside front tire. If you are going
too fast, inertia will cause your vehicle to go off the road. If you
brake, your vehicle may skid. The problem is increased if the
road is slippery or uneven. The best practice is to slow down
before the curve and avoid braking in it.
If you do start to lose traction in a curve, don’t brake. Ease off
the accelerator and re-apply gently when you regain traction.

Before you enter a curve,

slow down to a speed a te Straighten w
that will allow you to go c celer as he
accelerate to el and
A ntly a sa
through the curve without ge u turn fe s
yo pe
using your brakes. When ed
wn
you reach the middle, do
w
begin to straighten your Slo
wheels and accelerate to
help you leave the curve.

Gear use
If you’re driving a vehicle with a standard transmission,
you need to be able to choose the appropriate gear and
shift smoothly. You need practice to coordinate the clutch,
accelerator and gearshift.
It is illegal to coast downhill in neutral or with the clutch in.
You need to be in gear to safely control your vehicle.

Steering

You in the driver’s seat

You’re about to make a left turn at a major intersection.
You’re a bit nervous because you haven’t been driving
long. You see a gap in the oncoming traffic, so you let
your eyes guide you as you steer in a smooth arc, ending
up in the correct lane.

Steering, like any skill, takes practice. Practice will help you
coordinate your hands and your eyes so that you can drive in
a straight line or a smooth arc. The two main principles of good
steering are controlling the wheel and maintaining good
road position.

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Controlling the wheel

warning!
Keep both hands on the outside of the wheel. If you drive with
Loading up your vehicle your hands inside the wheel, your hands could be injured in a
with extra weight can crash. You may sometimes have to steer with only one hand
cause it to steer very when you are changing gears or using a dashboard control,
differently, especially on but try to use both hands when possible. This gives you better
curves. Don’t overload
your vehicle. Check your
control, and also shortens your response time when you see
owner’s manual for weight a hazard.
limit information.
Where should you put your hands? Imagine that your steering
wheel is a clock. Put your hands at an equal height at the
9 o’clock and 3 o’clock position, or the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock
position, whichever is most comfortable. If there is an airbag in
the steering wheel, the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock or even an
8 o’clock and 4 o’clock position may be better than 10 o’clock
and 2 o’clock. This is because your hands could hit your face
if the airbag goes off when they are in the 10 o’clock and
2 o’clock position.

Keeping good road position

Steer the vehicle in a smooth line so there is little side-to-side
movement when you’re driving. The best way to do this is to
look well ahead in the direction you want to go. Your peripheral
vision will help you centre your vehicle and keep you moving in
a straight line. When you turn, look well ahead in the direction
you are turning. This will help you turn in a smooth arc.

Space margins

You in the driver’s seat

You’re driving behind someone who is travelling at
30 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. You wouldn’t mind so much,
but you’re already late for an appointment. There’s no
chance to pass on this residential street. You think it might
be a good idea to pull up closer behind the driver to get
them to hurry up.
driving tip
Tailgating (following too closely behind the vehicle in front) is a
When you stop behind major cause of crashes. If you tailgate, the vehicle in front can
another vehicle at an block your view of hazards ahead. Worse, if the vehicle stops
intersection, leave about
suddenly, you have no time to slow down and stop safely. If
one car length between
your vehicle and the you rear-end the other driver, you will be held responsible for
vehicle ahead. This way, the crash.
you will have room to
move if you need it. Allow
more space when stopped
Stopping
directly behind a large Stopping your vehicle is more than just pressing on the
vehicle.
brake pedal.

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Total stopping distance is the distance your vehicle will travel

from the moment you:

see — a hazard
think — decide to stop
do — place your foot on the brake pedal until you stop.

When you see a problem ahead while you’re driving, it will take
you about three-quarters of a second to see-think and another
three-quarters of a second of do. Only then will your vehicle
begin to slow down.
This is why it is so important to allow enough space in front.

Space in front — the two-second rule

Always leave a safe following distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle in front. You need at least two seconds of space
in front in good weather and road conditions. Increase your
following distance to three seconds on high-speed roads and
to four seconds in bad weather conditions or on uneven or
slippery roads.
Allow at least three seconds following distance when you’re
behind a large vehicle that could block your vision, or a
motorcycle that could stop very quickly. It’s also a good idea to
keep at least a three-second following distance if a vehicle is
following close behind you, or when you are following another
vehicle on an unpaved road where dust or gravel may be in
the air.

On a highway, measure a three-second space by When the vehicle in front of you passes that
picking an object ahead that will not move. object, begin your count: one thousand and
one, one thousand and two, one thousand
and three.

If you reach the object as you say “three” you

are keeping a three-second following distance.
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Total stopping distance

is the distance your
vehicle will travel from
the moment you notice a
hazard until the moment
your vehicle stops. You
need time to see, think
and do before your brakes
even begin to slow your
vehicle. Braking distance
depends on your speed, Space behind
your vehicle and road
conditions. Always allow What do you do when someone is tailgating you? You can’t
enough following distance. control the space behind you in the same way as the space in
front. But it’s a good idea to slow down slightly to increase your
space in front. This way, if you have to stop, you can stop more
gradually and there will be less chance of the person behind
warning! crashing into you. Other options are to move into another lane
or to pull over to the side and let the tailgater pass.
If you are turning left off a
highway onto a driveway
or side road, watch your Space beside
mirrors and make sure
you have plenty of space Keep at least one metre of clear space on each side of your
behind. The cars behind vehicle while you’re driving. When you’re passing pedestrians,
may not be prepared to cyclists or other vehicles, allow as much room as possible — at
slow down for you.
least one metre, and more if you are going at a faster speed.
Increase your side space margins even more when visibility or
road conditions are poor.

Lane position
When you’re deciding where
to position your vehicle in the
driving tip lane, there are several things to
consider:
By looking ahead, keeping
good space margins and • on a two-lane road, stay fairly
anticipating road hazards, close to the centre line so
you can avoid sudden
stops and changes in
other vehicles do not move
speed. These safe driving into your lane space
habits also save fuel.
• in the curb lane, stay well
away from hazards on the
side, such as car doors that
Try to leave yourself an might open
escape route when you
are driving on a multi- • in most lanes, drive near the
lane highway. Then, if
centre of the lane
something happens in
front, you can pull into • a
 void driving in other drivers’
another lane to avoid
trouble.
blind spots.
On a multi-lane road, the right
lane is often the safest one to
choose. It keeps you away from
oncoming traffic and it’s less
likely that another driver will
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 chapter 5 — see-think-do

Choosing a safe gap

driving tip You in the driver’s seat

Did you know that, in

You’re waiting at a stop sign. The traffic seems endless.
ideal conditions, it takes Just when you think it’s safe to cross the intersection,
most vehicles stopped at another car comes into view.
an intersection about:
• t wo seconds per lane What would you do?
to go straight across
• fi
 ve seconds to turn The space you need to get across an intersection safely or to
right and get up to
50 km/h
merge into a line of traffic is called a gap. Deciding on whether
• s even seconds to turn
a gap is big enough to be safe isn’t always easy. You need to
left and get up to consider several things:
50 km/h (allow extra
time if you need to • the speed of the traffic
cross several lanes).
• the time it will take to do your manoeuvre
Remember to add
an extra two seconds • the time it will take your vehicle to accelerate to the speed of
for safety.
the traffic flow.
Be careful not to underestimate the speed of approaching
motorcycles or bicycles. They are often travelling much faster
than they appear to be.

The driver of the blue

car and the driver of the
station wagon may have a
problem if either of them
moves out of correct lane
position when they are
turning. In this situation,
time your turn so you
won’t have a space conflict
with the other driver. If
there’s any doubt about
who should go first, the
driver making the left turn
should yield.

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Communication

You in the driver’s seat

Your car is at a stop sign and you’re waiting to cross the
intersection. The intersection is clear except for a car
approaching from the left. Its right turn signal is on. If this
car turns right before it reaches you, you can safely cross
the intersection right now. But the driver isn’t slowing
down, and they’re not pulling over to the right.
What would you do?

Is the driver of the grey car

really going to turn right?

In this scene, the other driver is confusing you by giving mixed

messages. Their turn signal indicates that they’re planning to
turn, but the lane position and speed of their vehicle suggest
they’re planning on going straight. In this situation, it is better
to wait and see what they do before crossing the intersection.
Sharing the road safely means understanding the tools of
communication and using them effectively.

Turn signals
Your primary communication tools are your turn signals. Always
use your turn signal to let people know you are planning to
turn, change lanes, pull out or pull over.
When you use your turn signal:
• be timely — signal well ahead to give other road users plenty
of warning.
• be clear — don’t apply your turn signal too soon and confuse
other people. If you plan to turn right at the next intersection
and there are a number of driveways and lanes before you
reach the intersection, wait until you are close enough that
people can see exactly where you are planning to turn.

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• mean what you say — your turn signal is designed to switch

off after you have made a turn, but sometimes it doesn’t.
Make sure that your signal has cancelled after you turn so it
doesn’t give the wrong message.
There are times when an automatic turn signal is hard to see —
for example, if you’re pulling out from a line of parked vehicles.
In these situations, use a hand signal in addition to the
turn signal.

Signalling a left turn.

Signalling a right turn.

Cyclists may use either of
these hand signals.

Signalling a stop.

Lights
Your vehicle has different types of lights to help you see and be
seen. The lights that you use most for communication are brake
driving tip lights, backup lights and hazard lights.
Watch for backup lights Brake lights — these are visible when the brake is applied.
when you are driving in When you see these lights on the car ahead, you know the
a parking lot. Not only driver is slowing down and perhaps planning to stop. Let others
do they warn you that
you need to slow down,
know you intend to slow down or stop by tapping lightly on
they also tell you where your brake. This will activate the brake lights.
you might find a parking
space. Backup lights — these show that the vehicle is in reverse, and
the driver is backing up or intends to back up.

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Fog Lights — fog lamps should only be used in place of, or

with, headlamps if atmospheric conditions (fog) make the use of
headlamps disadvantageous.

The lights on the back of

a vehicle can tell you a lot
about what that vehicle
is about to do. In this
illustration, the vehicle is
backing up.

Hazard lights — these let people know you have stopped for
an emergency. Truck drivers also use them to warn that they are
travelling well below the speed limit.

Horn
The horn is a useful communication tool if it’s used properly.
For example, if you see someone start to pull out of a driveway
without looking, a light tap on the horn will let the other driver
driving tip know you’re there. Only use the horn when it gives a useful
signal to other drivers and helps prevent a crash.
When you carry a load
that extends behind your
vehicle, attach a red flag
Eye contact
to the end of the load as a You can often communicate with other road users just by using
warning to other drivers.
your eyes. When you stop for pedestrians, make eye contact so
they know you have seen them and it is safe for them to cross.
Do the same for other drivers, motorcycle riders and cyclists
when you are stopped at an intersection.
think about
Body language
A parked car starts to
pull out just in front Waving your hand to let another driver proceed, or a pedestrian
of you. How can you cross in front of you, is generally not a good idea. The other
use your “do” skills — driver or pedestrian may face hazards you can’t see.
speed control, steering,
space margins and
communication? Vehicle language
You can tell a lot about what a driver is going to do by watching
“vehicle language.” If a vehicle moves over in the lane, the
driver may be planning to change lanes or turn. If the vehicle
slows down when approaching a corner, the driver may be

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planning to turn. When you see a parked vehicle with its wheels
turned out, the driver may be planning to pull out into traffic.

Using see-think-do
Research shows that new drivers often panic and even freeze
in an emergency. You can avoid this by giving yourself plenty
of time and space to react, and practise using the see-think-do
strategy. If you are driving at a safe speed, looking well ahead,
and keeping alert and focused, you should have time to see
problems coming up, think of possible solutions and take
actions that will help keep you safe.

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