How to hone your 'risk radar' for high-performance driving

Expert hazard recognition and assessment isn't easy, but it is rewarding, as Ripley explains

- by PAUL RIPLEY

RISK ASSESSMENT IS A VITAL ELEMENT OF high-performance driving. If we are aware of the hazards that surround us every time we get behind the wheel, we can adapt how we drive to minimise the danger, making the journey safer for us and potentially for others too.

A crucial element in building towards the evo Standard, therefore, is to develop the skills of visual scanning, hazard recognition and reaction planning. Our observational scanning abilities become our 'risk radar', identifying potential danger as early as possible, giving us maximum time to analyse the threat and respond in a considered fashion.

Many new drivers will have a limited capacity for managing risk, and even experienced drivers often don't appreciate the importance of continually developing such skills to avoid 'surprises' when driving. Yet understanding the types and levels of risk, and how to implement preventative actions, is invaluable to making safe progress.