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“Quiet efficiency is the hallmark of the expert. Although alert they give the impression of being completely relaxed. They drive in a calm, controlled style without fuss or flourish, progressing smoothly and unobtrusively. They will always be in the right place on the road, travelling at the right speed with the right gear engaged and they achieve this desirable state by concentrating all the time, planning ahead and driving systematically”.

Advanced driving consists of 4 key elements, the drive MUST be;-

1. Safe
2. Smooth
3. Systematic
4. Speed (appropriate & progressive)

Driving plans must be made on the correct assessment of;-

• Information – e.g. Hazard perception
• Observation
• Risk
• Execution of driving plan

Information – e.g. Hazard perception

What is a hazard? A hazard is anything that contains an element of actual or potential danger.

There are three main types:

• Physical features, such as junctions, roundabouts, bends or hill crest;
• Those created by the position or movement of other road users; and
• Those created by variations in road surface or weather conditions.

Observation

When driving a good driver will use all their powers of observation to identify any potential hazards and this will include the use of our three main senses;-

• Sight
• Hearing
• Smell

Observation should extend from the bonnet of a vehicle to the horizon and back again. This should be a constant scanning process and this will allow the driver to identify any potential hazards at an early stage so that they can adapt there driving plans accordingly.

Drivers should base observation upon;

• What can be seen
• What cannot be seen
• And what is likely to develop

Risk Assessment

What is a risk? A risk is the chance, High or Low that somebody will be harmed by the Hazard.

A Hazard is defined by the Health & Safety Executive as anything that can cause harm, e.g. Chemicals, electricity, working at heights.

Therefore the good driver is always using their skills of hazard perception using their observation skills to conduct a risk assessment, then making their driving plans accordingly. This process is continuous and will often be done sub-consciously but care MUST always be taken not to switch off to this process.

They will then be;-

• right place on the road,
• travelling at the right speed
• with the right gear engaged

Stewart Rivers Chief Observer NET RoADA

Stewart Rivers is a Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police and their most senior practicing Class 1 driver