2.1 Risk factors §

Created: 2023-09-28 10:56

Danger can arise from various factors. The most important are:

• You: your state of mind, knowledge of the rules, driving experience, fitness.
• Other road users: those factors also apply to others.
• Environment: condition of the road, crowds, unclear instructions, etc.
• Weather: snow, rain, etc.
• Time of the day: rush hour, sunset.
• Seasons: leaves on the road during Autumn.
• Animals: wild animals or lose pets.
• Backlight: low sun or lights from incoming traffic.

Acute danger, possible danger or nothing to worry §

All situations on the road roughly fall under one of these three situations.

• There is imminent danger
• Danger may arise
• There’s no danger

Each scenario requires a different response.

Imminent danger §

These are examples of situations that pose immediate danger:

• Pedestrians or cyclists suddenly crossing.
• Vehicles entering the road in front of you.
• Children playing, cycling or running.
• A football rolling across the street.
• Approaching an unclear intersection.
• Animals on the roadway.
• A speed bump or other sign telling you to slow down.

On imminent danger there’s little time to think. You must then act quickly. A common reaction in these types of situations is breaking.

Danger may arise §

These are situations that could become dangerous, but aren’t yet.

Examples:

• Incoming traffic approaching in the distance.
• Cyclists and pedestrians crossing or approaching traffic in bad weather.
• Traffic signs that warn of an abnormal traffic situation.

In this type of situations you have more time to think about possible solutions (reactions). A possible reaction Is to release the gas, gradually slow down. Doing so gives more time to assess the situation and, if necessary, act quickly.

No danger §

Of course, there are also plenty of situations while driving which pose no danger at all.

For example, you can continue to drive normally when:

• The road is clear and orderly.
• Your speed is so low that you can stop in time.