by David Skinner – Newbury IAM RoadSmart
This time we will concentrate on another of the skills of advanced driving – that of Anticipation.
In advanced driving, anticipation means expecting something to happen. It involves reading the road and the behaviour of other traffic so that you are prepared for any eventuality. This is done by building up what are called “observation links” – noticing things that give you clues about what might happen. For example, if you see a bus stop, you might anticipate a bus; if you see dustbins, you might expect a dustbin lorry; if you smell newly-mown grass, you might prepare for a tractor.
A good way to use this anticipation skill is to ask “What If?” every time you encounter a driving hazard. What if that parked vehicle’s door opens? What if that pedestrian steps off the pavement? What if there’s an obstacle around that blind corner? You then adjust your driving to cope with these invented situations – giving clearance to parked vehicles, slowing down, covering the brake, and so on.
Motor accident insurance claims often involve the word “suddenly”: a car shot out of a junction, a dog jumped out, and so on. By continually asking “What if?” and acting on it, you can avoid “suddenly…” situations. Continually assessing hazards in this way is the mark of a true advanced driver.