When it comes to your theory test practice, the hazard awareness topic will explore the various hazards that you will encounter when out on the road. Whether they are fixed hazards, moving hazards or alike, Learner POD has compiled a unique training programme to help with your theory training studies!
We have an online theory training course that you can access here. The course consists of video tutorials with real-life footage explaining the many parts of the theory exam. Alongside the course, you will also have access to our member’s area and a safe group to share, discuss and motivational support for your studies.
Here is a list of all the topics that make up the theory training syllabus:
- Alertness
- Attitude
- Safety Margins
- Safety & Your Vehicle
- Hazard awareness
- Vulnerable Road Users
- Other types of vehicle
- Road conditions and vehicle handling
- Motorway driving
- Rules of the road
- Road and traffic signs
- Essential documents
- Incidents, accidents and emergencies
- Vehicle loading
When it comes to your theory test practice, it is really important to make sure you cover all of the aspects of the exam in your training schedule. Missing one section may result in you failing your theory test. It is important to make sure this does NOT happen to you.
Learner POD has compiled a comprehensive training online theory course and an abundance of free training material which will help with your theory studies. Visit our YouTube channel to access lots of free resources and training videos.
Page Contents
Theory Test Practice – Hazard Awareness
The Hazard awareness topic on the theory test syllabus looks at fixed and static hazards. This includes road and weather conditions, and substances that may affect someone’s ability to drive. These include alcohol, drugs and prescription drugs. This in-depth theory training tutorial will help you with your theory studies. Please leave a comment, if we can improve this article in any way – please do let us know!
Hazard Awareness – Stationary Hazards
Static/stationary hazards are road infrastructure that may be hazardous to road users if the driver is NOT alert or aware of what they are doing or of their surroundings. It is important to be alert at all times when out on the road. Static/stationary hazards include:
- Bends
- Junctions
- Roundabouts
- Parked vehicles & obstructions in the road
- Roadworks
- Road surfaces & condition
- Pedestrian crossings
- Traffic lights
- Level crossings
Hazard Awareness – Moving Hazards
Moving hazards tend to be more troublesome to drivers. Usually, they are caused by other types of vehicles and drivers. There are lots of moving hazards to consider, these include:
- Cyclists
- Motorcyclists
- Horse riders
- Pedestrians
- Farmers and cattle/sheep/goats
- Other animals
Hazard Awareness – All Weather Driving
When it comes to all weather driving, it is normally the driver who is responsible for NOT reacting safely to the conditions that they are driving in. There are many types of weather conditions that may affect your driving. These can include:
Wet Conditions
In wet conditions, you should double your distance from the vehicle in front. This would make the time gap of four seconds and not two seconds.
Icy Conditions
In icy conditions, you should remember to increase your stopping distances by ten times. This would mean a twenty-second time gap behind the vehicle in front instead of the two-second gap.
Foggy Conditions
In foggy conditions, you should use your dipped headlights. Remember if your visibility is less than 100 metres, you should put on your fog lights. However, you should also take them off once your visibility improves as you may dazzle other road users.
Bright Sunshine
In bright sunshine, you should be aware that sometimes it can blind drivers. Bright sunshine causes dazzle. Which in turn, can cause you and other road users to be blinded. It is important to use your sun visor where appropriate.
Hazard Awareness – Substances
Substances can be very hazardous to road users. Understanding how such substances can affect one’s driving is important. Alcohol and drug driving cause many accidents in the UK, and as a consequence – many fatalities occur every year. Being aware of what is happening around you when driving, is a fundamental part of keeping yourself and others safe whilst driving.
Drink Driving
Never drink and drive. To make sure you are legal, it is best you keep to a zero tolerance on drink driving. The legal limits are:
- 35 micrograms per alcohol for every 100 millilitres of breath
- 80 milligrams of alcohol for every millilitre of blood.
Drink driving causes:
- Slower reactions
- Reduced coordination
- Affects your vision
- Affects judgement of speed and distances
Drug Driving
Drug driving can cause drivers to have slower reactions, reduced coordination, poor vision, and affects the judgement of speed and distances. The effects are very similar to that of drink driving. You should AVOID driving whilst under the influence.
Prescription Drugs
Before setting out on your journey, be sure to check to see if your drugs (prescribed or over the counter drugs) have any side effects. Lots of drugs can make you sleepy.
You should ask your doctor, or a pharmacist to see if you are allowed to drive. You should also assess how you feel before you start to drive. Do you feel tired? Sleepy or groggy? If you do, then you shouldn’t drive until you feel alert and not tired.
Some drugs side effects can last for up to 72 hours. Make sure you don’t drive within this time or take the medicine just before you set off.
It is very important to understand the implications of your car’s insurance policy. Whilst under the influence of drugs and alcohol, your car insurance is invalidated.
To be clear on the NEW drug driving laws: be sure to check out this useful article on the new laws of drug driving.
Theory Test Practice – Hazard Awareness – Mock Test 1
Theory Test Practice – Hazard Awareness- Mock Test 2
Theory Test Practice – Hazard Awareness- Mock Test 3
Please visit the next section Vulnerable Road Users
Useful Links
Hand Signals
Distractions Whilst Driving
Level Crossings
Hazardous Loads
Eyesight Whilst Driving
