Examkin

Question

Difficulty: Very hardPedestrian Crossings

You are driving in the right-hand lane of a road with two lanes going in your direction, approaching a Pelican crossing. The traffic light is currently showing a flashing amber signal. A pedestrian you were observing has just finished crossing and reached the pavement on your right. However, a large goods vehicle (LGV) in the left-hand lane remains stationary at the crossing's give-way line. What is the correct course of action?

  1. A
    Proceed past the LGV, because the flashing amber signal permits you to go once the visible pedestrian has cleared the crossing.
  2. B
    Treat the stationary LGV as a static hazard, steer slightly to the right for clearance, and maintain your speed through the crossing.
  3. Stop behind the give-way line and wait; it is strictly prohibited to overtake the stationary vehicle nearest the crossing, even if the road appears clear.Answer
  4. D
    Flash your headlights to claim priority over any unseen pedestrians hidden by the LGV, then proceed cautiously through the crossing.

Answer

You must stop behind the give-way line and wait, as it is strictly prohibited to overtake the stationary vehicle nearest the crossing.
According to the Highway Code, you MUST NOT overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing or the vehicle nearest the crossing which has stopped to give way to pedestrians. In this scenario, the large goods vehicle is highly likely to be hiding another pedestrian stepping onto the crossing from the left side. Even though the traffic light is flashing amber and one pedestrian has safely crossed, overtaking the stopped LGV within the zig-zag area is strictly prohibited by law and is extremely dangerous.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the traffic light phase and immediate pedestrian activity.
The flashing amber signal at a Pelican crossing means you must give way to pedestrians on the crossing, but you may proceed if it is clear.
This establishes the baseline rules for a Pelican crossing when no other hazards are present.
2
Identify the stationary hazard in the adjacent lane and assess its implications.
An LGV is stopped at the give-way line in the left lane. Because of its size, it creates a massive blind spot, entirely obscuring the left side of the crossing.
The LGV has likely stopped for a reason not visible from the right-hand lane, such as a second pedestrian stepping onto the crossing from the left.
3
Apply the overriding Highway Code rules regarding pedestrian crossings and zig-zag lines.
You conclude that you must not overtake the nearest vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, regardless of the traffic light phase.
Rule 191 of the Highway Code strictly prohibits overtaking the leading vehicle stopped at a crossing to prevent fatal collisions with pedestrians hidden by that vehicle.

Key Concept

Strict prohibition of overtaking on zig-zag lines and anticipating hidden pedestrians at crossings.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

Pedestrian Crossings

More questions from this topic