Anyone, from experienced drivers to someone new to the roads, wants to be safe while driving. One way to achieve this is to clue yourself up on anything that could be a danger to you or your vehicle. Enhancing your awareness of driving hazards and learning how to avoid any potential risks is essential.
To help you keep safe, we’ve put together a guide of the most common driving hazards, and how you can avoid them while on the road.
A driving hazard is something which could potentially endanger the vehicle, the driver, any passengers or fellow drivers. From treacherous weather conditions to unpredictable potholes, these hazards can appear in many forms and at any time. To help you identify driving hazards as a road user, we’ve created a list of the most common risks you’re likely to experience below.
1. Open car doors
Car doors being opened alongside moving traffic can be an all-too-common road hazard. An open car door restricts what drivers, cyclists or pedestrians can see, and creates a sudden and dangerous obstacle for oncoming traffic when opened unexpectedly. A door colliding with anything - and anyone - will cause a serious accident.
To avoid this hazard when parked, make sure to always check your mirrors and blind spots before opening your car door slowly, telling fellow passengers to do the same. When parking your car on the side of the road, be conscious of leaving a large enough space between your car and the driving lane to avoid your door opening into a vehicle.
If you’re driving and notice the door of a stationary vehicle opening, slow your speed as you approach and give the door a wide berth when you overtake – given it’s safe to do so.
2. School zones
Areas around schools are often filled with increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic, especially at drop-off and pick-up times. Not only are adults preoccupied with looking after their children (meaning they are less alert), but children are also less likely to pay attention to oncoming traffic. School zones often operate with their own speed limits, parking points, and traffic flows, so drivers who are unfamiliar with these roads may find it difficult and dangerous to manoeuvre.
You can drive through school areas safely by always remaining vigilant to any signs or signals, and by looking out for crossing guards. It’s essential that you maintain concentration on the road and that you remain aware of your surroundings, including where pedestrians are.
3. Pedestrians
Pedestrians are one of the most common road hazards while driving. The unpredictable nature of people crossing roads and wandering off pavements plays a huge part in endangering both pedestrians and drivers. Whether you’re in a quiet neighbourhood or a bustling town centre, pedestrians remain high on the list of potential driving hazards.
Staying alert is the best tip when it comes to being aware of those travelling on foot. As the law requires, you must pay attention to any traffic rules and regulations regarding pedestrians. This includes stopping at zebra crossings, adhering to speed limits, and allowing pedestrians to pass where they attempt to.
4. Cyclists
While cyclists themselves aren’t a hazard, potential interactions and collisions with other road users can be the danger. Cyclists are much more vulnerable than car users due to the obvious lack of protection, a much slower speed of travel and less visibility - especially when behind bigger vehicles. The unpredictable and sometimes sudden movements of cyclists becomes dangerous when they are near vehicles or pedestrians.
Keeping yourself a good distance away from cyclists is the best way to avoid any hazards from developing. Always try to continuously be aware of your surroundings and check your blind spots for cyclists – especially before turning left. As a driver, remember that you must share the roads with cyclists, and as a cyclist, stick to the designated paths and lanes when available.
5. Parked cars
When cars are parked, especially in busy and populated areas, they can obstruct the view of oncoming traffic. Parked cars on small roads create a road hazard by narrowing the lanes - this leads to congestion and makes it more difficult for moving vehicles to pass one another safely.
Use extra caution when approaching and passing parked cars and remain alert if a pedestrian or cyclist emerges from behind them. If you’re parking yourself, opt for a space which will obstruct other cars less, and avoid anywhere dedicated to pedestrian and cycling access.
6. Slip roads
As slip roads were designed as somewhere for vehicles to either accelerate when entering a particular road, or decelerate when exiting, the merging of cars travelling at different speeds is a potential driving hazard. Slip roads often fall victim to limited visibility because of curves and hills, which can be a challenge when looking out for oncoming traffic. Some slip roads also have shorter lanes for merging, which can be risky as drivers have less time to slow down.
To prepare yourself and avoid any accidents, leave enough time to adjust your speed to match the flow of traffic when exiting a slip road or the slip road you are moving onto. Utilise your car’s indicator signals to help warn others of your movements (again with enough notice), and be aware that you may need to slow down and make way for other drivers. Don’t forget that road signs and markings are there to help you.
7. Bad weather
Snow, frost, fog, and heavy rain are all things we’d rather avoid when driving - however, the weather is something we’ll never be able to truly predict. These specific weather conditions reduce a driver’s visibility of the road, making it difficult to see other vehicles, road signs or potential obstacles. When the road becomes slippery from frost, there is an increased likelihood of losing control of your car. Excess rain can lead to a build-up of water on the road which often causes vehicles to hydroplane (or lose traction), which can make it difficult to regain control.
Staying safe in unfavourable weather can be done by driving at a slower speed, keeping your headlights on, taking advantage of your windscreen wipers, and avoiding any sudden braking. If you’re able to prepare before your journey, then choose routes which are typically safer and less likely to succumb to effects from harsh weather conditions, such as large puddles or snowy roads. Switching to winter tyres could also be a great option to ready your car for any adverse weather, especially during colder seasons.
8. Poor road conditions
Potholes, uneven surfaces, a lack of helpful signage, and inadequate lighting all pose a hazard to drivers. Road surfaces that aren’t regularly upkept can cause discomfort to passengers and lead to a vehicle losing stability and control. Improper signage causes confusion for the driver, risking road accidents due to route errors. Poor lighting also greatly reduces visibility and can be a major hazard for drivers.
To reduce the chance of experiencing hazards while driving on roads with poor conditions, maintain a slow and safe speed to give you more time to react to obstacles like potholes – make sure to always report these to your local council, too. Leave enough space between your car and any other vehicles or pedestrians to allow for a safe stopping if necessary. If you find the area you’re driving in has poor signage or lighting, use a system to help you navigate and again report to your local council.
We hope our guide to driving hazards has helped you to understand how road risks present themselves, and the steps to be taken to keep yourself and fellow drivers safe. To discover more helpful tips for driving safe, or for general motor advice and information, head over to our blog.
