Low - Risk Driving  a skill for LIFE 

- - - - - - - - - - Road Safety by Dieter Fischer - - - - - - - - - - ISBN No. 0 09577 426 06   

   Your  SAFETY  is  Driving

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A.14   Anticipation - what's happening next !

Lack of anticipation is a weakness in almost all new drivers. Anticipation is more than just looking ahead (as in observation). It is the action taken (in anticipation) to avoid problems arising next.  

Examples where drivers must anticipate:

When looking for an address, say No. 31 River Street, indicate when passing house No. 21, 23 or 25 in anticipation. If you indicate late and/or brake suddenly outside No.31, you are risking a rear-end collision.

Moving off from the kerb into heavy traffic is testing a driver's judgement, decisiveness and anticipation, especially in a manual car. Considering it may take about five seconds to engage the gear, release the ratchet on the handbrake and complete the mirror-indicator-blindspot-procedure, drivers who anticipate will indicate five seconds before the gap in the traffic is likely to occur. Anticipation is a matter of correct timing.

When approaching a "PA-crossing" (pedestrian activated) don't just stare at the green traffic light, but check, if anyone has pressed (activated) the button to cross. If so, the lights may turn amber at any moment. A child is likely to run across as soon as he or she sees "walk.

 
Too late! Caught behind a parked car !

The hatchback novice driver noticed the  obstacle too late (lack of anticipation).

Expecting the van behind to overtake, he/she slows down, despite indicating right, frustrating everyone behind.

When lanes merge or there are parked vehicles,  remember - the accelerator can get you into trouble, but also out of trouble! (See also below)
Merging traffic is a good example where foresight (anticipation) and proper speed control keep traffic flowing smoothly. 

Merging traffic occurs when laned traffic ends, e.g. two lanes form into one, or three lanes change into two.
If you are driving the vehicle in the left lane, anticipate the merging lanes. Whilst the accelerator can get us into trouble, in above situation the accelerator can get the driver on the left out of trouble!

 

A white line which ends in the middle of a roadway is a sign that lanes are merging. Look also for a sign 'Lane ends' or 'Form 1 Lane'. The most logical way to allow traffic to merge smoothly is - one vehicle from the left-hand lane, the next vehicle from the right-hand lane etc. It's called the 'zip-merge' and works well, when done with patience and regard for other drivers. 

Entering an intersection, when the exit is not clear creates a choked intersection       >>>

Take notice and do not stop on white letters painted on the road:              'KEEP CLEAR.'

The light shows green for this frustrated motorist. The car from the opposite direction might encroach into the pedestrian space. Not thinking ahead (anticipating) often leads to traffic jams as shown here.

 

Watch for these hazards, which may cause major traffic delays:

Road-works Anticipate speed limits and obey them.
Emergency vehicles When the lights are flashing, to overtake these, obey the 40 km speed limit. 
Traffic jams As shown above. 
Broken down vehicles This includes those parked incorrectly in dangerous place.

To properly anticipate the traffic situation ahead, lift your eyes beyond the immediate traffic ahead. Forward observation has two benefits: One, you will better manage traffic delays and two, by anticipating danger you should seldom need to brake sharply. 

Quick reflexes are a plus in an emergency. However, good forward observation, driving intelligently, are more important and should make sharp braking a rare occurrence for a low-risk driver 

Everything must be learned. Some new drivers anticipate naturally. Others learn through experience.

 Motorists who anticipate are always on the MOVE ! 

Disclaimer: Above information could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents or failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend to use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor.

Site copyright ©driving-school.com.au 2001 / Revised April 2010

 Here is a little test to remember what you have learned. Firstly, answer the True / False question. Secondly, using the letter beside the correct answer, form a word. All answers are on this page!

  T>   S

 Anticipation means to always keep your eyes on the road.   F>    G

  T>   R

 Anticipation is action taken at the right time.   F>    H
  T>   E    A driver not anticipating may result in a blocked intersection.   F>    O
  T>   R To stop over a 'KEEP CLEAR' zone is OK if the lights are green.    F>    E
  T>   N Proper anticipation has the benefit of not having to brake suddenly.   F>    T

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