Adapted speed and hidden danger

The Road Traffic Act states that you must maintain a speed that is justifiable for the conditions. That means you sometimes have to drive far below the posted speed limit. The ability to detect hidden hazards is a key part of the class B theory test.

What is custom speed

The main rule is simple: you should always be able to stop in front of an obstacle that you can see. If you can’t see far enough, you have to slow down.

Typical hidden dangers

• Children behind parked cars in residential zones and at schools .
• Pedestrians in pedestrian crossings hidden by oncoming traffic.
• Animals crossing the road, especially at dusk and dawn. Read about animals in the road .
• Cyclists in the blind spot at overtaking and lane change .
• Vehicles from side roads where give way and intersection applies.

Danger signs that warn of hidden dangers

Danger signs and warning triangles gives you early warning of hazards you may not see yourself:

• Dangerous Turn requires reduced speed into curve .
• Children alerts about school routes and playgrounds.
• Wild animal migration alerts.
• Roadworks notifies of temporary signage and changed conditions.

How to assess your speed correctly

• Look far ahead and scan your surroundings for potential hazards.
• Use mirrors, blind spots and shoulder gaze actively.
• Calculate whether you can stop within sight. Use the formulas from stop distance calculation .
• Think about what could happen, not just what you see.
• Remember that automatic speed control does not exempt you from assessing the conditions yourself.

Further reading

• Risk assessment and driving conditions
• Give way and cross
• Three-Second Rule
• Speed and weather conditions
• Speed Limits and Speed Rules