What should you do if you notice potential hazards ahead while driving?

When you notice potential hazards ahead while driving, establishing a visual search pattern is crucial for maintaining safety on the road. This approach involves actively scanning the environment, which includes looking at other vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, and any unusual circumstances that may affect your driving. By employing a consistent visual search pattern, you enhance your awareness of the surroundings, allowing you to react appropriately to any developing situations, such as a changing traffic signal or an obstacle in the roadway.

Developing this skill is especially important as it helps you anticipate potential issues before they become critical, allowing for timely adjustments in your speed or direction. Furthermore, it supports safe driving practices by ensuring that you are not just focused on the car directly in front of you but are also aware of the broader context in which you are driving.

Other options such as speeding up to pass may lead to dangerous situations, while ignoring hazards can result in accidents. Alerting others, although occasionally necessary, should be secondary to effectively ensuring you are aware and prepared for any challenges on the road ahead.