Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardOlder and Disabled People

You are driving along a single carriageway road with a 30 mph speed limit and catch up with a powered mobility scooter displaying a flashing amber beacon. Ahead, parked vehicles obstruct part of the lane. What is the safest and most appropriate course of action?

  1. A
    Flash your headlights to instruct the rider to move over onto the pavement immediately
  2. B
    Overtake immediately alongside the parked vehicles, assuming the rider will maintain a straight line close to the kerb
  3. Stay well back and wait patiently until the road clears, giving them ample room when it is safe to overtakeAnswer
  4. D
    Accelerate swiftly past the scooter without checking side mirrors or blind spots before pulling back in

Answer

Stay well back and wait patiently until the road clears, giving them ample room when it is safe to overtake
Powered wheelchairs and Class 3 mobility scooters are permitted on the carriageway and are restricted to a maximum speed of 8 mph. When encountering them, particularly near obstructions like parked cars, drivers must stay well back, remain patient, and allow plenty of clearance when it is safe to pass.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the vulnerable road user and equipment
Recognise that a Class 3 mobility scooter displaying a flashing amber beacon is legally using the carriageway and travels at a maximum speed of 8 mph.
Disabled road users using mobility equipment are more vulnerable and travel significantly slower than surrounding motor traffic.
2
Assess the forward road layout and static hazards
Identify that parked vehicles ahead narrow the carriageway and create potential obstruction risks.
The mobility scooter rider will need space to steer around the parked vehicles and avoid opening vehicle doors.
3
Apply defensive driving principles and determine the correct manoeuvre
Hold back at a safe distance and only overtake when oncoming traffic and road space allow a wide, safe passing margin.
Pressuring vulnerable road users or overtaking prematurely in a constricted area creates severe collision hazards.

Key Concept

Consideration and defensive driving around older and disabled road users on the carriageway
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Older and Disabled People

More questions from this topic