Anticipation

About 250 persons die and about 5500 persons get injured in Finnish road traffic every year.

The most important skill for a driver is anticipating. Anticipation is based on effective observing, space protecting and being prepared for errors of others. By anticipation you avoid hazardous situations and driving is economical.

The basics of effective observing:

1. Look far ahead, this gives you time to react to problems ahead.

2. Move your eyes, this way you get information from outside of the direction of travel.

Protecting your own space

By taking care of the free space around you, you are able to observe more effectively, and you have space where to move in a hazardous situation. Safe distance to a vehicle in front of you is 2 seconds in urban traffic and 3 seconds on a motorway. By acting like this you make sure that you have enough time and space to act if something happens.

Recognizing and avoiding risks

Correct situational speed is crucial part of risk avoiding. You should already know that when the speed decreases by ¼ the braking distance halves. Driving experience and driving style affect on how risky the driver is in traffic. Self-evaluation is essential in becoming a better driver. When you are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of your own driving, you can more effectively develop a safer driving style.

When you encounter a hazardous situation, analyze the situation afterwards; How could I have noticed the danger in time? How could I have acted in this situation?