Top 5 Common Road Hazards And How To Avoid Them

There are many hazards to watch out for on the roads and in our latest Go Learning article, we’re revealing our top 5 common hazards and how to avoid them.

1. Bad weather conditions

Conditions such as thick fog, strong winds, flash floods or black ice can be treacherous. We recommend checking the weather forecast to see if there are any warnings in place. If there are, it’s important to drive extra cautiously and if there is a severe weather warning in place, you may want to avoid any inessential journeys in affected areas. If you’re not sure how you should adapt your driving to stay safe, we can recommend reading our comprehensive guide on how to drive in different weather conditions in the UK.

2. Watch out for wildlife

Most of us have seen a sheep, horse or deer on the road, but do you know what to do should an animal dart out in front of your car?

It’s important not to swerve as you could lose control of your vehicle or find yourself veering into the path of oncoming traffic. As horrible as this sounds, sometimes it can be safer to hit the animal than put you, your passengers or other road users in danger.

However, animals large enough to justify an emergency stop include dogs, horses, cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys and deer.

If you encounter a herd of sheep or a horse gently trotting along the road with a rider, then the best course of action is to drive slowly and leave as much space as possible. You should also refrain from using your horn as this could scare the animal and cause them to act unpredictably.

Sometimes you will see road signs indicating that you’re driving in a hotspot area for deer, sheep, cattle, horses or other animals. It’s important that you take extra caution in these areas and expect encounters of the animal kind.

3. Watch out for cyclists and pedestrians

You should always take extra care to watch out for cyclists and pedestrians because they are more vulnerable and can be less noticeable. Simple ways to avoid a collision with a cyclist or pedestrian include, checking mirrors and blind spots before turning or manoeuvring to one side, checking before opening your car door if you’re parked on the roadside, checking that junctions are clear of anyone wanting to cross before you proceed, and generally making a habit of being aware of your surroundings. It’s especially important to take care in busier towns and cities or during busy periods such as school drop-off times and rush hour.

4. Watch out for other drivers

Sometimes a driver may forget to indicate, or the car in front may not have working brake lights or make an emergency stop. That’s why it’s always important to preempt unpredictable behaviour from other drivers and keep a safe distance. Also, if it’s safe and possible for you to do so, it’s always worth telling another driver that their lights aren’t working properly.

5. Take care on tight bends, blind summits and hidden dips

You should always avoid overtaking on or near tight bends, blind summits or hidden dips.

While knowing what the hazards are on the road it’s also important to know how to deal with them or avoid them altogether. We hope this article will clear up some of your questions and help you stay safe on the road.

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