
Below are a couple of examples of how to put the OAP system into practice.
Approaching traffic lights:
Observe: “I can see the traffic lights ahead have been on green for some time”
Anticipate: “I anticipate they will be changing very soon”
Plan: “Looking behind me there is a car following (mirrors) – I am reducing my speed (signal – brake lights) as I approach. I am aiming to go, but planning to stop. So now my speed has reduced I am still covering the footbrake just in case”.
Approaching a right hand bend on a rural road:
Observe: “Looking ahead the road is bending to the right. There are hedgerows that are blocking sightlines and so I cannot see if anything is approaching. There is no centre line and this suggests that the road is narrow”.
Anticipate: “I am planning for anything ahead such as oncoming vehicles, pedestrians in the road, agricultural vehicles and and maybe horse riders too”
Plan: “Checking behind me and positioning as far as I can to the left to improve my vision and reducing my speed as I approach. Keeping my speed low and staying to the left but watching for any debris on the edge of the road. I am covering the horn just in case. Looking to the right, keeping speed down. The limit point moving away and the road is straightening up and is clear ahead, nothing behind me, so gradually increasing my speed.”