Visual scanning technique

Seeing is not yet recognising

Between «having it in your field of vision» and «reacting correctly» there are several steps: perceive → process → decide → act. Each one costs time.

That is why looking straight ahead is not enough. Fatigue, distraction and speed lengthen every one of those steps – and their sum is the reaction distance.

Eye movement: near and far in turn

Far zone: as far as you can see. It tells you the course of the road, any slowdowns and what lies ahead.

Middle zone: a few seconds in front of you. This is where other people’s manoeuvres are decided.

Near zone: immediately in front of and beside you. A brief check, never a fixed stare.

Anyone fixated on the vehicle ahead is driving blind: the eyes must travel.

System and filter

Traffic delivers more impressions than you can process. That is why experienced drivers look systematically:

• System: at regular intervals the mirrors, the speedometer, the edges of the carriageway.
• Filter: separating the relevant from the irrelevant – an advertising board is not relevant, a cyclist glancing back is.

The shoulder check

Mirrors show a lot, but not everything. The blind spot can only be checked by glancing over your shoulder.

It is required before every lane change and every turn – and also before opening the door when getting out.

When visibility deteriorates

Darkness, rain, fog and glare greatly reduce your usable field of vision: perception becomes slower and incomplete.

Match your speed to the visibility you actually have, increase your distance and clean windows and headlights before setting off. In fog, dipped beam and fog lights help; main beam makes things worse because it reflects back.