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Difficulty: MediumMoving Hazards

If an oncoming vehicle begins overtaking and moves into your lane on a single carriageway, you should maintain your speed and lane position because you have the right of way.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False. Drivers must never insist on right of way when an oncoming vehicle creates a dynamic moving hazard in their lane; they must slow down and move left to prevent a collision.
The statement is false because defensive driving requires motorists to adapt immediately to developing moving hazards. When an oncoming vehicle undertakes a risky overtaking manoeuvre in your lane, maintaining speed or holding your ground drastically increases the risk of a high-speed head-on collision. The correct response is to check mirrors, decelerate smoothly, and position your vehicle towards the left edge of the road to provide adequate safety margins.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the immediate dynamic hazard developing ahead
Recognise that an oncoming vehicle has moved across the centre line into your direct path during an unsafe overtaking manoeuvre.
Early detection of a moving hazard allows maximum time and distance to react.
2
Prioritise collision prevention over legal priority
Discard the assumption that having right of way protects your safety.
The Highway Code requires all road users to act defensively to avoid danger regardless of priority.
3
Execute defensive evasive measures
Check your rear-view mirror, ease off the accelerator, apply the brakes progressively, and steer gently towards the left-hand side of your lane.
Decelerating reduces impact force and gives the oncoming driver more time and space to complete or abort their manoeuvre safely.

Key Concept

Defensive response to dynamic moving hazards and prioritising collision avoidance over right of way
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Moving Hazards

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