3 Big Road Hazards to Watch out for
As you’re learning, any driving instructor worth their salt will drum into you everything about how to handle emerging situations on the roads, but once you’ve passed the test and get your license we have to leave it to you to be attentive and aware - not just for your sake but for other road users.
As one of the leading driving schools Ashford residents have rated Colin Stevens’ commitment to our pupils becoming successful and safe drivers - but we feel that we should offer you some perspective - maybe a little refresher - on what 3 of the biggest road hazards you’ll face could be when you’re just starting out.
01 - Roadworks and Construction Sites
Who put all these obstructions on this nice, clear road?!
Sometimes roads will under go maintenance, or a water main will have burst or there’s a big old construction site that fetches out onto the road itself.
In these situations there can be a lot of distractions - loud noises, perhaps the horns of impatient drivers around you - and the usual conditions, markings and signals on the road may not be as expected - perhaps some traffic signals have been replaced or moved; or maybe its just a gent with a lollipop indicating when a aggregate lorry is coming.
Here it’s best to go at a slow speed, at 1st and 2nd gear at most until you’re clear - if it’s near a construction site then there may be stones and aggregate left on the road surface that could be kicked up if you go at higher speeds - and ensure that you heed the instructions of the crew working to maintain safety.
02 - Traffic Accidents & Emergency Vehicles
It’s a likelihood that you’ll drive passed an accident at some point when your first driving, so it pays to be alert to the situation. As with the situation with the roadworks, low-speed and gear and ensuring you follow the directions and instructions of the on-site emergency crew is crucial.
Most likely there’s wreckage to work around if it hasn’t yet been cleared and - most importantly - is to avoid being distracted by the sight of the accident. It may be different and dramatic for an otherwise uneventful drive but you need to drive in the interest of safety.
03 - Bad Weather Conditions
This is the most important of the 3 big hazards we could point out. We do teach our pupils about taking a different temperament when driving in adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow or fog but we’ll re-iterate here.
When it comes to these situations, the general rule of thumb is to not only observe a greater distance of space between you and the car in-front and go at a slower speed, but to make yourself as visible as possible and give plenty of warning to other road users about any maneuvers your planning to make (indicating a turn much earlier for instance in rain, for instance).
Also ensure that your car is prepared for these conditions - whether you need to change tires, ensure your window washers are demystified etc - so that if you should break down or get stranded, you have all the supplies and equipment you need to look after yourself and your vehicle. For more information you can visit at: http://www.colin-stevens-driving-school.co.uk/driving_lessons_ashford.html