Multiple hazards

It’s rare for there to be only one hazard at a time when driving. Most of the time you’ll have to deal with several hazards at once.

This means you’ll need to stay aware of all the hazards, but give most attention to the hazard that’s most likely to develop into a dangerous situation and require you to take urgent action.

Identifying the main hazard

These images show scenes involving multiple hazards for the driver of the blue car.

Remember, the main hazard is the one most likely to need you to take urgent action.

A blue car approaches a pedestrian crossing and four hazards. Hazard A is a cyclist taking the lane in front of the blue car. Hazard B is a red parked car on the left. Hazard C is an oncoming green car. Hazard D is a pedestrian approaching the crossing.

Hazard A is the main hazard. The cyclist is about to pull out around the parked car and move into the path of the blue car.

A blue car drives a laned road with four hazards. Hazard A is a parked purple car ahead on the left. Hazard B is a red car reversing out of a park into the blue car's path. Hazard C is an oncoming green car. Hazard D is a parked white car on the right.

Hazard B is the main hazard. This car is reversing out of a parking space and is about to enter the path of the blue car.

A blue car approaches four hazards. Hazard A: white car on a side road, turning left into the oncoming lane. Hazard B: oncoming red car. Hazard C: purple car driving ahead of the blue car. Hazard D: green car indicating to cross in front of the blue car.

Hazard D is the main hazard. This car is about to turn across the path of the blue car.

A blue car approaches a pedestrian crossing and four hazards. Hazard A: a person on the left footpath. Hazard B: a child on the right footpath, moving into the path of the blue car. Hazard C: parked car on the right. Hazard D: parked car on the left.

Hazard B is the main hazard. The child’s attention is focused on the adult on the other side of the road. Remember, the child may try to cross the road without looking.

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Identifying the main hazard