Risk Perception Flashcards

You are driving at 100 km/h on a national road. Approximately how far will your car travel during a typical reaction time of 1.5 seconds?

Answer: About 42 metres

At 100 km/h, you travel approximately 28 metres per second. With a reaction time of 1.5 seconds, the car travels about 42 metres (28 × 1.5) before you even begin to brake — this is called the 'thinking distance'.

Which of the following factors most significantly increases the risk of a collision?

Answer: Driver fatigue

Driver fatigue is one of the most significant risk factors for collisions. It impairs reaction time, judgement, concentration, and hazard perception. Studies show that driving while fatigued can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol.

Why are junctions the most common location for road collisions in Ireland?

Answer: Multiple road users converge from different directions, creating numerous potential conflict points

Junctions are where different streams of traffic cross, merge, or diverge. This creates multiple conflict points between vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Poor observation, failure to yield, and misjudgement of gaps cause most junction collisions.

What effect does alcohol have on driving ability even below the legal limit?

Answer: It impairs judgement, slows reaction times, reduces concentration, and gives a false sense of confidence

Even small amounts of alcohol impair driving ability by slowing reaction times, reducing concentration, impairing judgement of speed and distance, narrowing the field of vision, and creating a false sense of confidence — all below the legal limit.

You are driving behind a bus that has stopped to let passengers off. What risk should you anticipate?

Answer: Passengers, especially children, may cross the road from in front of or behind the bus where you cannot see them

When a bus stops, passengers may cross the road — often from the front of the bus where they are hidden from view. Children are particularly likely to cross unexpectedly. Wait until you can clearly see both sides before proceeding.

What is the safest response when you realise you have missed your motorway exit?

Answer: Continue to the next exit and find an alternative route back

Reversing, stopping, or making a U-turn on a motorway are extremely dangerous and illegal. The only safe and legal option is to continue to the next exit and find an alternative route. This may add time but prevents a potentially fatal situation.