Transportation – Hazards

What is a Hazard?

A hazard is any road condition, road obstacle, or other road user (driver, motorcycle, bicyclist, or pedestrian) that is a possible danger. For example, a vehicle in front of you is headed toward the freeway exit, but the brake lights come on and the driver begins breaking hard. This could mean that the driver is uncertain about taking the off-ramp and might suddenly return to the highway. This vehicle is a hazard. If the driver of the vehicle cuts in front of you, it is no longer just a hazard, it is an emergency.

Seeing Hazards Let You Be Prepared

You will have more time to react if you see hazards before they become emergencies. In the example above, you might take a lane change or slow down if the vehicle suddenly cuts in front of you. Seeing this hazard gives you time to check your mirrors and signal for a lane change. Being prepared reduces the danger. Sudden braking or a quick lane change is much more likely to lead to an accident.

Learning to See Hazards

There are often clues that will help you see hazards. The more you drive, the better you can get at seeing hazards. Slow down and be very careful if you see any of the following road hazards:

  • Work Zones. Road work can create hazardous conditions with narrower lanes, sharp turns, or uneven surfaces. Other drivers are often distracted and drive unsafely. Workers and construction vehicles may get in the way. Drive slowly and carefully near work zones. Use your 4-way flashers or brake lights to warn drivers behind you.
  • Drop-Offs. Sometimes the pavement drops off sharply near the edge of the road. Driving too near the edge can tilt your vehicle toward the side of the road. This can cause the top of your vehicle to hit roadside objects (signs, tree limbs). Also, it can be hard to steer as you cross the drop-off, either going off the road or coming back on.
  • Foreign Objects. Things that have fallen on the road can be a danger to your tires and wheel rims and can damage electrical and brake lines. They can be caught between dual tires and causes severe damage. Some obstacles such as boxes and sacks, may appear harmless but can cause major damage if hit by the vehicle. It is important to remain alert so you can avoid these objects without any sudden moves or stops.
  • Off-ramps/Onramps. Freeway and turnpike exits can be particularly dangerous for commercial vehicles. Off-ramps and onramps often have speed limit signs posted. Remember, these speeds may be safe for smaller vehicles, but may not be safe for larger vehicles or heavily loaded vehicles. Exits which go downhill and turn at the same time can be especially dangerous. The downgrade makes it difficult to reduce speed. Braking and turning at the same time can be a dangerous practice. Be sure to slow down before you enter the curved part of the off-ramp and onramp.

Hazardous Situations

In order to protect yourself and others, you must recognize other drivers who may do something hazardous. Here are some clues:

  • Blocked Vision. People who cannot see others are dangerous. Be alert for drivers whose vision is blocked. Vans, loaded station wagons, and cars with rear windows blocked are examples. Rental trucks should be watched carefully. Their drivers are often not used to the limited vision they have to the sides and rear of the truck. In winter, vehicles with frosted ice-covered or snow-covered windows are hazards.Vehicles may be partly hidden by blind intersections or alleys. If you can see only the rear or front end of a vehicle but not the driver, then he or she cannot see you. Be alert because the driver may back out or enter into your lane. Always be prepared to stop.Delivery truck drivers’ vision is often blocked by packages or vehicle doors. Drivers of step vans, postal vehicles, and local delivery vehicles often are in a hurry and may suddenly step out of, or drive their vehicle into, the traffic lane.

    Watch for movement inside parked vehicles or movement of the vehicle itself that shows people are inside. They may get out, or the vehicle may pull out into the traffic. Watch for brake lights, backup lights, exhaust, and other clues that a vehicle is about to move.

    Be careful when approaching a stopped bus. Passengers may cross in front of you or behind the bus and often cannot see you.

    Walkers, joggers, and bicyclists may be on the road with their back to the traffic, so they cannot see or hear you. This can be dangerous. On rainy days, pedestrians may not see you because of hats or umbrellas.

  • Distractions. Watch where drivers are looking. If they are looking elsewhere, they can’t see you. Be alert even when they are looking at you since they may believe they have the right-of-way.
  • Children. Children tend to move quickly without checking traffic. When playing with one another, they may not look for traffic.
  • Talkers. Drivers or pedestrians talking to one another may not be paying close attention to the traffic.
  • Workers. People working on or near the roadway are a hazard clue. The work creates a distraction for other drivers and the workers themselves may not see you.
  • Ice Cream Truck. Someone selling ice cream is a hazard clue. Children may be nearby and may not see you.
  • Disabled Vehicle. Drivers changing a tire or fixing an engine often do not pay attention to the dangers of roadway traffic. Jacked up wheels or raised hoods are hazard clues.
  • Accidents. People involved in the accident may not look for traffic. Passing drivers tend to look at the accident. People often run across the road without looking. Vehicles may slow or stop suddenly.
  • Shoppers. People in and around shopping areas are often not watching traffic because they are looking for stores or window shopping.
  • Confused Drivers. Confused drivers may change direction suddenly or stop without warning, often near freeway or turnpike interchanges and major intersections. Unexpected actions (stopping in the middle of a block, changing lanes for no apparent reason, backup lights suddenly going on) are clues to confusion. Hesitation is another clue, including driving very slowly, using brakes often, or stopping in the middle of an intersection. You may also see drivers who are looking at street signs, maps, and house numbers. These drivers may not be paying attention to you.
  • Slow Drivers. Motorists who fail to maintain normal speed are hazards. Seeing slow moving vehicles early can prevent an accident. Some vehicles by their nature are slow and seeing them is a hazard clue (mopeds, farm machinery, construction machinery, tractors, etc.). Some of these will have the “slow moving vehicle” symbol to warn you. This is a red triangle with an orange center. A vehicle displaying this sign may not be operated faster than 25 mph.Drivers signaling a turn may slow more than expected or even stop. If making a tight turn into an alley or driveway, the driver may go very slowly. If blocked by pedestrians or other vehicles, the driver may have to stop on the roadway. Vehicles turning left may have to stop for oncoming vehicles.
  • Drivers in a Hurry. Drivers may feel your commercial vehicle is preventing them from getting where they want to go on time. Such drivers may pass you without a safe gap in the oncoming traffic, cutting too close in front of you. Drivers entering the road may pull in front of you to avoid being stuck behind you, causing you to brake.
  • Impaired Drivers. Drivers who are sleepy, have had too much to drink, are on drugs, or who are ill are hazards. Some clues to these drivers are:
    • Weaving across the road or drifting from one side to another.
    • Leaving the road (dropping right wheels onto the shoulder or bumping across a curb in a turn).
    • Stopping at the wrong time (stopping at a green light or waiting too long at a stop).
    • An open window in cold weather.
    • Speeding up or slowing down suddenly.
    • Be alert for impaired drivers late at night.
  • Driver Body Movement as a Clue. Drivers look in the direction they are going to turn. You may sometimes get a clue from a driver’s head and body movements that a driver may be going to make a turn even though the turn signals are not on. Drivers making over-the-shoulder checks may be going to change lanes. These clues are most easily seen in motorcyclists and bicyclists.
  • Conflicts. You are in conflict when you have to change speed and/or direction to avoid hitting someone. Conflicts occur at intersections where vehicles meet, at merges (such as freeway onramps), and where lane changes are needed. Other situations include slow moving or stalled traffic and accident scenes. Watch for other drivers who are in conflict because they are a hazard to you. When they react to this conflict, they may do something what will put them in conflict with you.

Be Prepared for Hazards

You should always be looking for hazards—they may turn into emergencies. Look for hazards and plan a way out of any emergency. When you see a hazard, think about the emergencies that could develop and figure out what you would do. Always be prepared to take action based on your plans. In this way you will be a prepared, defensive driver who will improve not only your own safety but the safety of all road users.