A sudden loss of visibility, just a few seconds to decide, and an instinctive reaction that can have serious consequences. Ahead of European Road Safety Day on 13 October, Girteka carried out an experiment to see how drivers react to an unexpected hazard on the road. The results showed that even experienced drivers can react very differently to the same situation – and that the first instinctive response is not necessarily the safest one.
Heavy rain, a wet road surface and a heavy goods vehicle passing nearby – in such conditions, water sprayed from beneath the wheels can cover a car’s windshield in an instant. Although visibility may be lost for only a few moments, those moments can require the driver to make decisions that affect not only their own safety, but also that of other road users.
“Road safety depends not only on how well a driver reacts when danger appears, but also on the decisions made before it happens. Speed, distance and awareness of the surroundings all directly affect how much time and how many options we have in an unexpected situation. In professional transport, we follow this principle every day: safety starts with anticipating risks and managing them consistently. With this experiment, we wanted to show why this approach matters to every road user,” says Paulauskas.
Different reactions to the same hazard
The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions at a closed driving track. It recreated a situation that can occur in real traffic: while driving on a wet road, the car’s windshield is suddenly covered with water, temporarily blocking the driver’s view.
The most important condition of the experiment was the element of surprise. The drivers did not know when their visibility would be obstructed, so their reactions were spontaneous.
The test revealed different behavioral patterns: some drivers released the accelerator, while others braked suddenly or turned the steering wheel. The time it took them to respond and restore visibility also varied.
According to Singaras Čepaitis, Drivers Training Team Lead, these reactions demonstrate an important human factor: when faced with an unexpected hazard, a driver may react instinctively first and only then consciously assess the situation.
“Even a highly experienced driver is not immune to surprise. When visibility suddenly disappears, the natural instinct is to do something immediately – brake, change direction or react in some other way. But sudden, unconsidered actions can increase the danger. That is why safe driving skills should include not only vehicle control, but also the ability to stay calm and make the right decisions under pressure,” explains Čepaitis.
The purpose of the experiment was not to assess individual driving skills or determine which reaction was best. Instead, it aimed to highlight that experience alone may not be enough in an unexpected situation, while preparation and preventive actions can help reduce risk.
Why are the most important decisions made before danger appears?
According to Čepaitis, one of the biggest mistakes drivers make in difficult road conditions is failing to adjust their driving habits until there is an obvious danger.
A wet road surface increases braking distance and reduces tire grip, while water, dirt and poor lighting can limit visibility. When driving near heavy goods vehicles, the large amount of water sprayed from beneath their wheels can create an additional risk.
“When visibility suddenly disappears, the driver has very limited information about what is happening ahead. The priority is therefore to avoid sudden steering movements or unconsidered braking, maintain vehicle stability and leave the hazardous area as safely and quickly as possible. But even more important is preparing for such situations in advance: reducing speed, increasing the distance to other vehicles, assessing road and weather conditions, and ensuring that windscreen wipers and tires are in good condition. The greater the safety margin we create, the more options we have to react appropriately,” Čepaitis notes.
As the colder season approaches, these principles become even more relevant. Shorter days, more frequent precipitation and changing road surface conditions mean drivers increasingly need to adapt to more challenging conditions.
Road safety is a shared responsibility
The situation recreated in the experiment can be particularly dangerous when driving near heavy goods vehicles. Large truck wheels can spray significantly more water from a wet road surface than passenger cars, meaning that the windshield of a nearby vehicle can be hit by a stronger flow of water and visibility may be lost for longer.
According to Paulauskas, situations like these are a reminder that road safety depends on the actions of different road users. Girteka, which operates more than 6,500 trucks, continuously invests in vehicle safety, driver training and risk prevention. However, even professionally trained drivers and modern safety systems cannot eliminate all the risks of everyday traffic.
“When managing a large transport fleet, safety cannot depend solely on an individual driver’s experience or ability to react quickly. It must be ensured systematically – through training, clear operating standards, proper vehicle maintenance and continuous attention to risk prevention. But on the road, we are all part of the same system. All driver’s decisions affect those around them, so responsible driving begins with understanding that we are protecting ourselves,” Paulauskas emphasizes.
According to him, the experiment reinforces one of the most important principles of safe driving: we cannot predict every situation on the road, but we can make decisions that reduce the risks they create.
We cannot choose when an unexpected situation will occur. But we can choose our speed, our distance and how well prepared we are for it.
