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Question

Difficulty: HardJunctions and Intersections

You are driving along an urban single carriageway and intend to turn left into a side road. A cyclist is riding straight ahead on your nearside, and an oncoming driver waiting to turn right flashes their headlights. What is the safest and correct course of action?

  1. A
    Turn immediately across the cyclist's path because the oncoming vehicle has signalled you to proceed
  2. Hold back behind the cyclist, allow them to pass the junction, and complete your left turn only when the path and nearside blind spots are clearAnswer
  3. C
    Accelerate closely past the cyclist and turn sharply across their path before the oncoming vehicle can move
  4. D
    Turn left ahead of the cyclist while checking only your interior mirror without performing a nearside blind spot check

Answer

Hold back behind the cyclist, allow them to pass the junction, and complete your left turn only when the path and nearside blind spots are clear.
According to the Highway Code (including the hierarchy of road users and Rule 182), drivers must not turn across the path of a cyclist travelling straight ahead. You must wait behind them until they have passed the junction. Additionally, flashing headlights from another driver must never be taken as an order to proceed, making patient observation and blind spot checking the only safe and compliant choice.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the multi-hazard situation involving the cyclist and oncoming driver.
Identify that the cyclist has priority to travel straight ahead on the nearside and that the oncoming driver's flashing lights cannot grant right of way.
Highway Code rules state that drivers turning into a side road must not cut across cyclists proceeding straight ahead.
2
Adjust vehicle speed and maintain position safely behind the cyclist.
Create a safe buffer zone without attempting to squeeze past or cut across their path.
Overtaking immediately before a junction or turning across a cyclist creates an imminent risk of collision.
3
Perform full mirror and nearside blind spot checks before executing the turn.
Confirm that the cyclist has cleared the junction mouth and that no other road users or pedestrians are crossing.
Nearside blind spots must always be verified directly before turning across cycle lanes or kerbside areas.

Key Concept

Junction priority, protecting nearside vulnerable road users, and appropriate response to flashing headlights
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Junctions and Intersections

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