Unit: Eight Topics: L2  Thru  L3
(Please Listen to Narration or read the Paragraphs below )

L2. Defensive driving, visual search.

Part of driving defensively involves good visual search skills: (a) in front of, (b) behind, and (c) to the sides of your vehicle. You should look ahead, scan around your vehicle, and keep your eyes moving while driving so that you can spot hazards more easily.

Once you have seen the hazard and decided what to do, act. Never "wait and see" and never think that everything will just be all right. Children playing in the street may not see you. The child on the bike may ride in front of you. The person opening the car door may not see you.

As you look ahead, think about what will (or might) happen on the road. Be alert for vehicles on either side, to the front, and to the rear. Use your mirrors. Leave enough space between you and the vehicle ahead for safe stops. Always leave yourself an "out." Mistakes cause accidents. To protect yourself, know which lanes are clear so you can use them if you need to. This is called keeping an escape route.

Remember to keep your windshield, windows, and mirrors clean and clear of things which block your view. Make sure to have your seat and mirrors properly adjusted before you start driving to give you the best view, and always wear lenses prescribed to you for driving.

L3. Defensive driving, visual search, looking ahead.

One visual search skill that you need to drive defensively involves looking ahead and maintaining an adequate visual lead necessary to choose a safe, immediate path of travel. Such a visual lead allows you to make speed or position adjustments well in advance if possible problems. It also allows you to identify alternative paths if an emergency or hazardous situation develops.

In order to assimilate the potential for a dangerous situation to develop, your visual lead time should be at least 12 to 15 seconds in city driving and may increase to 20 to 30 seconds for higher speed driving. While these lead times may seem long, consider that at 30 miles per hour, a 12 to 15 second lead is 528 to 660 feet, or approximately one block. At freeway speeds, a 12 to 15 second lead would be less than one block ahead of your car, explaining the need for longer sight leads. A driver needs to look that far ahead to see potential hazards early.

Take in the whole scene while looking ahead; don't just stare at the vehicle in front of you or the middle of the road. Avoid developing a fixed stare by looking beyond the car ahead of you. Constantly keep your eyes moving and scanning the roadway, including the sides of the road.

When you look ahead, you will be able to see important things that you can't see later on, such as someone getting into a parked car. This can provide you with information that will help you make decisions as you approach the parked vehicle.

Scanning the roadside helps you to see: (a) vehicles and pedestrians that may be in the roadway by the time you reach them, (b) signs warning of potential hazards ahead, and (c) signs giving you directions.

Remember to keep your eyes moving. Look near and far. Turn your head before changing lanes to check your blind spots. These blind spots can hide a bicycle, motorcycle, or other vehicle. Watch for things about to happen, like a ball rolling into the street, a car door opening, or a swerving bicycle.

On the freeway, be ready for changes in traffic conditions. Watch for signals from other drivers and expect merging vehicles at onramps and interchanges. Be prepared for rapid changes in road conditions and traffic flow.

It is important when looking ahead to be aware of the likelihood of changing conditions signaled by (a) pedestrians or bicyclists near roadway, (b) a narrow bridge, (c) road obstructions, (d) changes in road conditions due to construction, ice, water, potholes, etc., and (e) slow moving vehicles.