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Question

Difficulty: EasyFollowing Distances and Tailgating

You are following a large delivery lorry through a busy urban area. Why should you stay well back instead of following closely behind it?

  1. A
    To remain inside the lorry driver's blind spot so your headlights do not dazzle them
  2. To allow the lorry driver to see you in their exterior mirrors and to improve your forward visibilityAnswer
  3. C
    To enable you to flash your headlights to demand priority at upcoming junctions
  4. D
    To focus exclusively on the lorry's brake lights rather than scanning for hazards ahead

Answer

To allow the lorry driver to see you in their exterior mirrors and to improve your forward visibility
Keeping a generous following distance behind large vehicles significantly expands your view of the road ahead, allowing you to anticipate developing hazards early. It also positions your vehicle within the view of the lorry driver's exterior mirrors, ensuring they know you are there.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary safety hazards associated with following large vehicles closely.
Large vehicles block the forward view of following drivers and have extensive blind spots directly behind them.
Recognising the visual limitations of both the following driver and the lorry driver is essential for maintaining safe positioning.
2
Apply Highway Code guidance on separation distance behind large vehicles.
Dropping back increases the field of vision past the sides of the lorry and brings your vehicle into view in the lorry's exterior side mirrors.
If you cannot see the lorry's exterior mirrors, the lorry driver cannot see you, increasing the risk of a collision if they slow down or stop suddenly.

Key Concept

Safe following distances behind large vehicles to preserve visibility and mirror sightlines
Estimated Time:40s
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Topics

Following Distances and Tailgating

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