Driving is a problem-solving activity where we must coordinate both our mental and physical skills in order to be able to accomplish our task.  A good driver has learned how to concentrate, observe, think ahead and react, and handle their vehicle all within the space of a few seconds.  This is enough to make any new driver nervous.  We are taught many of these skills by our driving instructor who points out hazards, how to perceive things, and how to assess risk to ourselves and our vehicles in an effort to avoid driving hazards.

Once we start to drive alone we become more relaxed and gain confidence, and experience.  We discover our strengths and weaknesses and try to remember everything we are taught.  We need to make sure we are prepared for every potential problem and we need to remember that a road is never really empty.  In order to do that we must make sure that we can see the road clearly, be alert and not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and keep our concentration on our driving.

When trying to watch out for hazards, there are some questions we may subconsciously ask ourselves as we drive.  Is the hazard a curve in the road that we cannot see beyond?  Could it be a pedestrian or another vehicle?  How fast are others driving?  How fast am I driving?  What if you come to a combination of hazards?  You must always be on the watch for potential hazards in the road when you are driving.  To miss one may be a fatal mistake that could’ve been avoided.