By Unity Driving School, West Island Montréal
Learning how to drive isn’t just about controlling the vehicle — it’s about developing safe habits that keep you and others protected on the road. In Québec, the SAAQ (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec) emphasizes the OEA driving strategy, which stands for Observe, Evaluate, Act. This simple but powerful method is taught in every certified driving school and is a cornerstone of defensive driving.
At Unity Driving School in the West Island of Montréal, we guide our students through the OEA strategy so they can pass the SAAQ exams and build lifelong safe driving skills.
🚦 What Is the OEA Driving Strategy?
The OEA method is a structured way of thinking while driving:
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Observe – Constantly scan your environment. Look ahead, behind, and to the sides. Pay attention to pedestrians, cyclists, traffic signs, road conditions, and other vehicles.
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Evaluate – Analyze what you see. Are cars slowing down? Is someone about to cross the street? Is there construction or a lane closure ahead?
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Act – Take the safest and most appropriate action: slow down, change lanes, stop, or continue with caution.
This approach helps drivers anticipate risks before they become emergencies.
🧠 Why Is OEA Important for New Drivers?
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Builds awareness: New drivers often focus only on the car itself. OEA trains you to look at the bigger picture.
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Prevents accidents: By spotting hazards early, you reduce the risk of sudden braking or collisions.
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Boosts confidence: Knowing how to react calmly and logically makes you feel more in control.
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Essential for exams: The SAAQ evaluates whether you apply the OEA method during your road test.
📘 Examples of OEA in Action
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At an intersection:
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Observe: A cyclist approaching from the right.
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Evaluate: They may cross even if the light turns green.
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Act: Wait until the cyclist passes before proceeding.
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On the highway:
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Observe: Brake lights ahead, heavy traffic slowing down.
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Evaluate: Congestion is building, vehicles may suddenly stop.
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Act: Reduce speed gradually and increase following distance.
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In residential areas:
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Observe: A ball rolling onto the street.
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Evaluate: A child could run after it.
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Act: Slow down immediately and prepare to stop.
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📝 How to Practise OEA as a Student Driver
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Start as a passenger: Before driving, practise observing and evaluating while someone else drives.
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Use commentary driving: Say out loud what you see and how you’d react — it helps build awareness.
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Take short practice routes: Focus on one type of environment at a time (e.g., residential, highway, intersections).
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Get feedback from instructors: At Unity Driving School, our instructors help you refine your observation and reaction skills in real time.
🚗 Why Learn OEA With Unity Driving School?
At Unity Driving School (West Island, Montréal), we make sure every student understands and masters the OEA strategy:
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Certified instructors trained in the SAAQ curriculum.
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Step-by-step practice sessions to build confidence.
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Access to 1,200+ practice questionnaires to prepare for the theory exam.
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Flexible online and in-person classes in English and French.
Our goal is not just to help you pass the test but to make you a safe, confident, and responsible driver for life.
✅ Final Takeaway
The OEA Driving Strategy — Observe, Evaluate, Act — is more than a rule for passing your exam. It’s a habit that will keep you safe on Québec’s roads. By practising this method early, you’ll handle real-world driving situations with ease.
📞 Ready to master OEA and become a confident driver? Call Unity Driving School today at 514-349-8055 or email ecoleunity@gmail.com to book your first lesson.