Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardPedestrians

You are driving at dusk along a narrow country lane with no pavements or street lighting. As you approach a sharp left-hand bend, you see a pedestrian walking on the right-hand side of the road facing towards you. What should you do?

  1. A
    Flash your headlights repeatedly to signal the pedestrian to cross over to the opposite side of the road
  2. B
    Maintain your cruising speed while fixating your attention entirely on the pedestrian to gauge passing distance
  3. Slow down, stay well back until you have a clear view of the road ahead, and pass only when safe with wide clearanceAnswer
  4. D
    Move rapidly to the left edge of the road to pass the pedestrian without checking your mirrors or blind spots

Answer

Slow down, stay well back until you have a clear view of the road ahead, and pass only when safe with wide clearance.
On rural roads without pavements, pedestrians are advised to walk facing oncoming traffic. When approaching a pedestrian near a blind bend, you must slow down and remain behind them until the bend is negotiated and your view ahead is completely clear. You should then pass slowly, allowing ample sideways clearance.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the vulnerable road user and the environmental hazard
Recognise that a pedestrian is walking in the road on a narrow, unlit rural lane immediately before a blind left-hand bend.
Pedestrians on country roads without footways are required to walk on the right facing oncoming traffic, making them vulnerable to passing vehicles.
2
Adjust vehicle speed and road position
Reduce speed smoothly and hold back at a safe distance behind the line of the pedestrian rather than attempting an immediate pass.
Approaching a blind bend restricts forward visibility, meaning oncoming vehicles cannot be seen in advance.
3
Execute a safe overtaking manoeuvre when visibility permits
Verify that the road ahead around the bend is clear, check mirrors and blind spots, and pass the pedestrian giving at least 1.5 metres of clearance.
The Highway Code requires drivers to pass vulnerable road users with appropriate clearance and at a safe, controlled speed.

Key Concept

Safe approach and passing procedure for pedestrians on rural roads without footways
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Pedestrians

More questions from this topic