Cheat sheet

Hazard and Risk Perception

Identifying potential hazards, assessing risk in varying conditions, and responding safely to road situations.

The facts to remember, in one place. Drill them with mock exams and spaced repetition in Theory Test Ireland.

Stopping distances in Ireland

◆ Overall stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance.
◆ Thinking distance: the distance your car travels during your reaction time (typically about 1 second).
◆ At 50 km/h the overall stopping distance is approximately 25 metres in dry conditions.
◆ At 100 km/h the overall stopping distance can exceed 70 metres in dry conditions.
◆ Wet roads can double braking distances; ice can multiply them by ten or more.

◆ Use dipped headlights in fog -- never full beam, which reflects back and dazzles you.
◆ Use front and rear fog lights only when visibility is seriously reduced (below about 100 m).
◆ Switch fog lights off when visibility improves, as they can dazzle other drivers.
◆ Slow down so you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear.
◆ Increase your following distance and avoid hanging on to the tail-lights ahead.

◆ Wet roads can double your braking distance, so leave a four-second following gap.
◆ Aquaplaning happens when water lifts the tyres off the road and you lose grip and steering.
◆ If you aquaplane, ease off the accelerator and do not brake or steer harshly.
◆ Use dipped headlights in heavy rain so you can be seen.
◆ Drive slowly through standing water and test your brakes gently afterwards.

◆ On ice, stopping distances can be ten times longer than on a dry road.
◆ Drive in the highest suitable gear and use gentle acceleration, braking and steering.
◆ Clear all snow and ice from windows, lights and the roof before driving.
◆ Black ice is invisible -- be especially cautious on bridges and in shaded spots.
◆ If you skid, steer gently into the skid and avoid braking sharply.

◆ Vulnerable road users include pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, children, older people and people with disabilities.
◆ Leave at least 1 metre when passing a cyclist at up to 50 km/h, and 1.5 metres above that.
◆ Take extra care near schools, residential areas and bus stops where children may step out.
◆ Watch for motorcyclists in your blind spots and at junctions, where they are easy to miss.
◆ Give older and disabled pedestrians more time to cross and never rush them at a crossing.

◆ Scan well ahead, to the sides and in your mirrors, not just at the road immediately in front.
◆ A hazard is anything that may make you change speed or direction -- a parked car, a junction, a child.
◆ Look for clues: a ball rolling out, brake lights ahead, or a bus pulling in can all signal danger.
◆ Anticipate what other road users might do and have a plan ready before you need it.
◆ Keep a safe space around your vehicle so you always have room to respond.

◆ Use the two-second rule: stay at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front in dry conditions.
◆ Double the gap to at least four seconds on wet roads, where braking distances increase.
◆ In ice and snow your gap may need to be ten times greater than normal.
◆ Tailgating leaves you no room to stop and is a major cause of rear-end collisions.
◆ If a driver gets too close behind you, ease off gently to increase the gap in front of you both.

◆ Drive so you can stop within the distance lit by your headlights.
◆ Use full beam on unlit roads but dip for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle.
◆ If dazzled by oncoming lights, slow down or stop -- do not stare into the lights.
◆ Keep your windscreen and lights clean, as dirt scatters light and worsens dazzle.
◆ Watch for unlit hazards such as pedestrians, cyclists and animals at the edge of your beam.