Vanishing point
The vanishing point changes constantly, it is the point you are traveling to when operating any vehicle.
Most often the path you take is hidden by other objects, the vanishing point directly affects your choice of speed and your available braking distance.
- A closer vanishing point represents tightening corners or objects potentially obscuring other road users or road features;
- A distant vanishing point suggests a clear path of travel without objects in your immediate path of travel.
!! Learners - Do not ride beyond your braking ability based on your vanishing point distance observed !!
Never ridden on a specific road before?
Observe the yellow advisory speed signs, these show the advised speeds for the road feature ahead.
Vanishing points change constantly!
Corners with objects obscuring the path of travel is a classic example of a vanishing point. Fences, hedges, trees, hillsides or other vehicles bring the vanishing point closer to you.
The vanishing point constantly moves further around the corner as you get closer so can see the path further ahead, but it is your speed that decides how you progress and how much braking distance you have available.
- A closer vanishing point represents a tighter corner, adjust your speed;
- A distant vanishing point suggests a clear path of travel, the corner potentially has widened or straightened up.
Other vehicles create new vanishing points for you, remember these changes affect your available braking distance.
- Adjust your speed to create your own following buffer and recreate that braking zone for yourself;
- Observe the 2 second following rule in dry conditions, and 4 seconds for poor weather conditions.
Posted speed zones serve all road users including vehicles needing to enter and exit the lane you are traveling in.
- You may not be able to travel at the posted speed, it is not a minimum speed target;
- Anything can change beyond your vision during the time taken when observing objects blocking your line of sight;
- Assuming all clear and overtaking without clear vision ahead will add unnecessary risk or be involved in an accident.