Driving Hazards

With a large number of casualties on the road every year worldwide, it pays to be extra careful. Many of the most common driving hazards are completely avoidable as long as you keep your attention on the road and employ proper driving techniques. Let’s talk about the main driving hazards you can encounter on different types of roads.

Cities and Major Roads

Traffic Congestion

When traffic is moving slowly, it’s easy to drop your guard. Being able to move only a couple of inches every minute can make you think you have enough time to engage in other activities, like selecting a good radio station, eating a snack, or even checking and sending messages on your phone. By taking your eyes off the road, you can miss the movement of traffic when it starts flowing again, which can aggravate those who are in a rush and lead them to honk and startle you, making you rush and end up crashing into the car in front of you.

Faulty Traffic Lights

Traffic lights are crucial for establishing order on city roads, which is why malfunctions can cause chaos. The uncertainty of who has the right of way when the lights fail can cause vehicles at crossing roads to move at the same time, resulting in serious collisions. Officials are usually called to direct traffic while the proper services work to get the lights back in operation, but until they arrive, extreme caution is necessary to ensure you are safe to move with no other vehicles coming from adjacent roads.

Reckless Cyclists and Pedestrians

The rights of cyclists and pedestrians should always be respected, giving them priority at designated crossings. However, pedestrians often cross the street without using crosswalks, sometimes emerging from behind vans and large vehicles that obscure them until the very moment they step onto the road. Cyclists can also be reckless, skipping red lights, making sudden turns, and riding too close to other vehicles. When driving, always be aware not only of the road but also the surrounding areas. 

Children

When driving in cities and towns, be extra vigilant about the presence of children. Unaware of the dangers posed by vehicles, kids may run into roads while chasing a ball or simply to reach the other side without even looking at oncoming traffic. Reduce your speed significantly when driving around school areas and residential neighbourhoods where children often play outside.

Weather

Weather conditions can create significant hazards for even the most experienced drivers. Both snow and rain reduce tire traction, which creates the perfect conditions for crashes. Make sure you drive slowly when the weather conditions are challenging so that you have enough time to brake gradually and avoid skidding. One of a driver’s biggest fears when driving through heavy rain is hydroplaning. If you are ever faced with this situation, don’t try to brake and steer away from it, which can reduce your control over your vehicle even further. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator to allow the car to slow down, and hold the steering wheel steady to keep moving in the same direction.

Debris and Potholes

Depending on the speed at which you’re driving, going over a pothole or hitting a piece of debris can actually damage your vehicle. That’s why many drivers instinctively swerve when they see one at the very last minute. This unpredictable manoeuvre can cause you to veer into oncoming traffic or make the vehicle behind you crash into yours. Driving at an adequate speed is your best bet to avoid these unexpected hazards.

Country Lanes

Slow-moving vehicles

When driving on country lanes, you are likely to come across slow-moving vehicles such as tractors or horse-drawn buggies. While you may be tempted to rush past such vehicles, it is unsafe to do so. These types of machinery are often wider and longer than they may appear from your angle, leading you to overestimate the time you have to overtake before encountering oncoming traffic.

Farm Animals

Animals on the road pose even more of a risk than children, who often have an adult around to prevent them from stepping into traffic. Animals—especially wild ones—can be unpredictable, emerging suddenly from surrounding areas and failing to react in the face of traffic. Drive carefully on country roads, especially if you see warning signs about animals nearby.

Sharp Bends

Bends on rural roads must be taken with extra caution, as they are usually much narrower than city roads. Vehicles driving in both directions must make sure there is enough space for each one to pass. Slow down when approaching a bend, as you must be able to come to a full stop if necessary so that the other vehicle can squeeze by. Turn the wheel slowly and avoid having to change gears while taking the bend.

Blind Junctions Covered by Overgrown Plants

Certain junctions don’t allow you to have a clear view of the road ahead. These are called blind junctions, which are usually trickier than regular junctions because they force you to stop at the end of the junction before slowly moving forward to make sure the road ahead is clear. If the area is covered by overgrown plants, the task becomes even more difficult, forcing you to move even further forward to gauge the road conditions.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced driver, attention is the most important key to avoiding driving hazards. Refresh your knowledge of road signs and speed limits, and practice defensive driving on each of your routes to guarantee a safe experience for everyone during your journey.