A forgiving environment anticipates drivers' mistakes, allows time and space for making driving corrections, and minimizes potential hazards for errant vehicles. Potential hazards include bridges, poles, trees, guard rails, mailboxes and, most frequently, ditches or embankments.

In short, just about anything in the right of way that can be struck by an errant vehicle is considered a potential hazard.

A clear zone is a transversable area that is adjacent to the driving surface and has no fixed objects. Clear zone widths vary from over 30 feet to 10 feet or less, based on several factors like traffic volumes and speeds, roadway geometrics and classification, and foreslope characteristics. A forgiving environment anticipates drivers' mistakes, allows time and space for making driving corrections, and minimizes potential hazards for errant vehicles. Potential hazards include bridges, poles, trees, guard rails, mailboxes and, most frequently, ditches or embankments.

In short, just about anything in the right of way that can be struck by an errant vehicle is considered a potential hazard.

A clear zone is a transversable area that is adjacent to the driving surface and has no fixed objects. Clear zone widths vary from over 30 feet to 10 feet or less, based on several factors like traffic volumes and speeds, roadway geometrics and classification, and foreslope characteristics.

Further Reading:

Enhancing Rural Roadside Safety