Scanning for Hazards | Steer Clear

[MUSIC PLAYING] 

(Text on Screen)
Scanning for Hazards

(Image)
An animated car drives on the road. Various
hazards appear on the horizon, including
pedestrian crosswalks, stop signs, and
construction.

(Speaker: Male Announcer)
It's important to recognize potential road 
dangers with enough time to react safely. 
This skill comes with practice. Many experienced 
drivers do it without even thinking.  
 
(Image)
Aerial view of a car driving down a two-lane
road. The zone in the front of the car is 
highlighted, then five more zones to the side
and back of the care are highlighted – illustrating 
field of view.

(Speaker: Male Announcer)
To learn to scan, you'll need to deliberately look 
far down the road and across your entire field of 
view. 

(Image)
Car on the road again. Two cars pop up on either side
of the car as a hazard, then disappears. A slow sign with 
paw prints pops up as a hazard, then disappears. 
Pedestrians and a bouncing pop up as a hazard, 
then disappear. A bump in the road pops up as a hazard, 
then disappears. A tree limb falls off into the road as a 
hazard, then disappears. Motorcycles and bicycles drive
in front of the car, then disappear. A car hidden behind
a bush backs out of a driveway as a hazard, 
then disappears. 

(Speaker: Male Announcer)
Potential hazards include other cars, dogs on 
leashes, pedestrians, especially children or those 
distracted by cell phones, speed bumps in the road,
debris, including broken branches after a storm, 
motorcycles and bicycles weaving in and out of 
traffic who assume you see them, and cars 
coming out of driveways, which could be 
hidden by bushes. 

(Image)
Car drives on a hilly road and comes up on
another car that is stopped just over the hill.
Image switches to car driving behind a big
truck that obstructs the driver’s view of the
road beyond.
 
(Speaker: Male Announcer)
There could be something in the road just 
beyond a curve or another car stopped just 
over a hill. Always be ready to slow down 
if there's anything obstructing your view or 
if a potential hazard is close to your car. 
Many crashes occur because the driver's 
eyes are focused down low and aren't 
scanning, possibly looking at a mobile 
phone screen. 

(Image)
Car follows too close to the truck in
front of it on the road. Scene shifts 
to show car allowing more space
between it and the truck. Image switches 
again to show car and truck driving
off screen. 
 
(Speaker: Male Announcer)
To ensure you get the best view, never 
tailgate the car in front of you. Not only is it 
dangerous, but it blocks your view ahead. 
Make a habit of allowing more space between 
your vehicle and the one in front of you. 
That way, you'll have more time to see a 
hazard and react to it appropriately.  
 
[MUSIC PLAYING]