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Hazard Awareness Flashcards

6 cards from real DVSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Hazard Awareness flashcards as text
  1. You are driving in heavy rain and your vehicle begins to aquaplane. What should you do?

    Answer: Ease off the accelerator and avoid braking until you regain grip

    Aquaplaning occurs when water builds up under the tyres faster than the tread can disperse it, causing a loss of contact with the road. You should ease off the accelerator smoothly and avoid braking or steering until the tyres regain grip.

  2. What is the main hazard of driving through a ford or flood water?

    Answer: Your brakes may become less effective afterwards

    After driving through water, your brakes may be wet and less effective. You should test your brakes gently after passing through water and dry them out by applying light pressure while driving slowly.

  3. You see brake lights come on several vehicles ahead of you on a motorway. What does this suggest?

    Answer: There may be a hazard or traffic queue forming ahead

    Multiple brake lights ahead on a motorway indicate that traffic is slowing — there may be a hazard, congestion, or a queue forming. You should reduce your speed early and check your mirrors in case you need to change lanes or warn drivers behind you.

  4. You are driving on a country road at 50 mph. How much distance should you allow for thinking distance alone?

    Answer: 15 metres (50 feet)

    At 50 mph, the thinking distance is approximately 15 metres (50 feet). A useful rule of thumb is that thinking distance in feet roughly equals your speed in mph — so at 50 mph, thinking distance is about 50 feet (15 metres).

  5. You are driving behind a bus that pulls up at a stop. What hazard should you anticipate?

    Answer: Pedestrians may cross the road from in front of the bus

    When a bus stops, passengers may alight and cross the road, sometimes emerging from in front of the bus where you cannot see them. Be prepared to stop and watch for pedestrians stepping into the road.

  6. What effect does tiredness have on your driving ability?

    Answer: It significantly increases your reaction time and impairs judgement

    Tiredness significantly increases reaction times, impairs judgement, and can cause microsleeps where you briefly lose consciousness. It is a major factor in road collisions. The only effective countermeasure is to stop and rest.