Assessing the road

Three glances at the road

The course: where does the road go and how far can I see? A blind bend, a crest or a dip limits your field of vision – and therefore your sensible maximum speed.

The surface: dry, wet, patched, gravelled? Changes in colour and texture announce changes in grip.

The verges: hedges, walls, parked vehicles, driveways, pavements. This is where the unseen emerges from.

What the verges reveal

• Parked vehicles: doors, pedestrians stepping out, sudden pull-aways.
• Exits and driveways: someone may pull out without seeing you.
• Hedges and walls: they hide children and animals until the last moment.
• Bus stops: pedestrians will cross, often in front of the bus.
• Soft verges: drifting onto the shoulder can unsettle the vehicle.

From assessment to driving

The assessment is only worth something if it changes something. In practice:

• Reduced visibility → reduced speed, so you can stop within the distance you see.
• Uncertain grip → increased safety distance, smoother inputs.
• Verges full of clues → more lateral clearance, foot ready to brake.

Remember: the road forces you to do nothing – but it warns you about everything, if you look at it.