Situational Awareness
- 1/25To drive safely in all road environments, you must always be
This means scanning mirrors, watching road signs, anticipating the actions of others, and adjusting your driving in real time. In Switzerland, strong situational awareness is expected, especially in tunnels, mountain routes, and urban zones.
Checking mirrors regularly helps
Check rear-view and side mirrors every 5–8 seconds. This helps spot overtaking vehicles, cyclists, or sudden traffic changes.
When entering a roundabout, situational awareness involves
In Switzerland, roundabouts operate counter-clockwise. Observe other cars’ speeds and signals before merging smoothly.
A driver with good awareness anticipates
Look ahead and prepare for what’s likely to happen. Anticipating other drivers’ moves is a core defensive driving habit.
Driving through a village requires awareness of
Rural Swiss roads often cross villages. Watch for walkers, tractors, and cyclists—especially near schools and churches.
Changing lanes safely requires you to
Use signals and confirm the lane is clear. Be extra cautious on fast autobahns and in multi-lane city traffic.
Driving near cyclists means
Cyclists may move suddenly to avoid obstacles. Stay 1.5 meters away and reduce speed when overtaking.
Tunnel driving demands awareness of
Tunnels are narrow and dark. Stay focused, maintain safe distance, and avoid overtaking inside.
In heavy rain, awareness must shift to
Use headlights, increase following distance, and drive cautiously. Look for standing water and adjust speed accordingly.
When using GPS, maintain awareness by
Use voice guidance if possible. Keep eyes mostly on the road and plan ahead when navigating.
Approaching pedestrian crossings requires you to
In Switzerland, pedestrians have priority. Slow down and prepare to stop even if they haven’t stepped onto the road yet.
Situational awareness helps you adjust to
In construction areas or detours, signs may change. Stay alert to warnings, cones, and workers.
A tram or bus stopping indicates
People may cross in front or behind. Reduce speed and look both ways when passing public transport.
High situational awareness in cities means
In cities like Zurich or Bern, cyclists, doors, and jaywalkers can suddenly appear. Scan both sides of the street.
Driving in the Alps requires attention to
Anticipate blind corners, sharp descents, and narrow roads. Use low gears and monitor road edge visibility.
During twilight hours, situational awareness increases because
Animals, pedestrians, and signs blend into shadows. Use low-beam headlights early and scan constantly.
Being distracted while driving reduces
Avoid phones, loud music, and intense conversations. Even momentary distractions can cause accidents.
Reversing with awareness includes
In Swiss car parks or narrow alleys, always look around—not just at the camera—before moving backward.
A safe gap in traffic is maintained by
Use a fixed point to judge distance. In rain or snow, increase it to 4 seconds for safety.
Before overtaking, you must consider
Don’t pass near curves, intersections, or when unsure of traffic ahead. Always assess risk in the full environment.
Awareness while entering motorways includes
Watch traffic in both mirrors. Accelerate smoothly in the entry lane to blend into the flow without abrupt moves.
At intersections without traffic lights, you must
Priority is typically to the right in Switzerland. Observe all directions and prepare to stop if unsure.
Night driving requires extra attention to
Keep beams adjusted properly. Look for reflections off animal eyes or road signs in dark rural zones.
When approaching a school zone, your focus should be on
Reduce to posted limits and watch for sudden child movement. Flashing lights or signs often indicate active hours.
Being aware of emergency vehicles means
Make space immediately if you see flashing blue lights. In Switzerland, always yield quickly and predictably.