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The prime desire of most drivers is to
safely proceed with the maximum courtesy and consideration to other
road users.
Advanced motorists and Police drivers
are trained in safe, defensive driving techniques to avoid
accidents.
The key elements are
observation, anticipation, hazard awareness and correct road positioning,
collectively, these methods form a powerful life saving package.
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Anticipatory perception of hazards means
observation of miniscule things but DRL dazzle momentarily masks oncoming
drivers eyes from observing this fine, but safety critical
information detail such as:-
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A child,
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A cyclist,
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A pedestrian,
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An equestrian,
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A motorcyclist,
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Feet under
vehicles,
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Traffic signs and
lights,
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A slippery road
surface,
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A ball rolling
into the road,
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A small animal
darting out,
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A car door about
to be opened,
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Front direction
indicators masked,
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Vision of vehicles
behind obliterated,
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Following drivers
can be less responsive to brake lights.
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Perception of hazards is vital
to
safe defensive driving |
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uto
makers appear to be fixated with the drive to install brighter and
brighter headlights, here are details of a new system devised by
Valeo of France called
BeamAtic that permits headlights to run on full beam continually
with electromechanical shutters that blank off the light beam around
other vehicles.
Full
beam headlights can dazzle a mile away, how are these automatic
sensors going to pick up pedestrians and cyclists?
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Driving against other vehicles with headlights
ablaze de-sensitises the eye so less conspicuous vulnerable road users can be put
at unnecessary risk.
"Bluelight"
It is significant that Police Grade 1
drivers (who are trained to the highest of standards at public
expense) disable the automatic DRL on their vehicles.
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