Examkin

Question

Difficulty: Very hardLarge Goods Vehicles (LGVs)

You are driving in heavy rain on a road with two lanes in your direction, approaching a narrow left turn. An articulated Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) ahead of you is signalling to turn left, but it begins to move out into the right-hand lane. The LGV is generating considerable road spray that is reducing your visibility. What is the safest course of action, and what is the correct rationale for your decision?

  1. Drop back to increase your following distance to at least four seconds, and hold back behind the LGV. The vehicle needs to swing right to complete the left turn, and its trailer will sweep across the left lane into your path.Answer
  2. B
    Continue in the left lane and carefully pass the LGV on the nearside, assuming the driver has moved into the right-hand lane to turn right and has left the left indicator on by mistake.
  3. C
    Maintain your standard two-second following distance to stay out of the heaviest spray, but cover your brake pedal in case the LGV turns sharply across your lane.
  4. D
    Flash your headlights to let the LGV driver know you are yielding, then move up alongside the left side of the trailer to avoid being blinded by the spray directly behind it.

Answer

The correct answer is to drop back, increase your following distance to at least four seconds, and wait behind the LGV, as it must swing right to negotiate the turn and its trailer will sweep across the left lane.
The correct action integrates two critical safety margins: adjusting for vehicle characteristics and accommodating environmental conditions. Because of their significant length, articulated LGVs must take a wider path when turning left at narrow junctions to avoid striking the kerb with their rear wheels. During this manoeuvre, the trailer sweeps across the left lane, creating a severe and dangerous blind spot. Simultaneously, heavy rain requires you to double your normal two-second following distance to four seconds. Holding back at this increased distance keeps you entirely out of the 'swept path' and the blind spot, while mitigating the visibility issues caused by road spray.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the LGV's positioning and signalling.
The LGV is signalling left but moving right to increase its turning arc for a narrow junction.
Long articulated vehicles need extra space to prevent their rear wheels from mounting the kerb on tight corners.
2
Evaluate the environmental conditions.
Heavy rain and road spray significantly reduce visibility and increase stopping distances.
Wet roads require adjusting standard safety margins to allow for increased braking time.
3
Determine the appropriate following distance.
The standard two-second rule must be doubled to at least four seconds.
This provides adequate time to react and keeps your vehicle clear of the heaviest spray generated by the LGV's large tyres.
4
Formulate the final safety plan.
Hold back at a four-second distance and allow the LGV to complete its turn.
This keeps you out of the dangerous 'swept path' of the trailer and safely out of the driver's blind spot.

Key Concept

Anticipating the turning arcs of Large Goods Vehicles and adjusting safety margins for adverse weather conditions.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question

Topics

Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs)

More questions from this topic