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Difficulty: HardConsideration for Vulnerable Road Users

You are driving along a street with cars parked along the nearside kerb. A cyclist ahead is riding towards the centre of the lane to avoid suddenly opening doors, while an oncoming car is approaching in the opposite direction. What is the safest course of action?

  1. A
    Overtake the cyclist before the oncoming vehicle arrives, leaving around half a metre of clearance.
  2. Drop back and remain behind the cyclist until the oncoming vehicle has passed and you can give at least 1.5 metres of clearance.Answer
  3. C
    Flash your headlights repeatedly to instruct the oncoming driver to stop and yield priority.
  4. D
    Sound your horn to direct the cyclist to ride within the narrow gaps between parked cars.

Answer

Drop back and remain behind the cyclist until the oncoming vehicle has passed and you can give at least 1.5 metres of clearance.
The safest and most considerate response is to hold back behind the cyclist at a safe distance. Cyclists often take a primary road position when passing parked cars to protect themselves from doors opening unexpectedly or pedestrians stepping into the carriageway. Drivers must wait until oncoming traffic has cleared before overtaking, ensuring a minimum clearance of 1.5 metres.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the multiple road hazards: the cyclist, the line of parked cars on the left, and the oncoming car.
Recognise that the cyclist is riding centrally (primary position) to safely avoid the door zone of parked cars.
Understanding why vulnerable road users position themselves away from hazards prevents impatient or dangerous driving decisions.
2
Evaluate available space and overtaking distance under the Highway Code.
Determine that attempting to overtake while an oncoming car approaches would dangerously reduce passing clearance below the required 1.5 metres.
The Highway Code requires drivers to leave at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking cyclists at speeds up to 30 mph.
3
Select the appropriate driving response.
Hold back at a safe separation distance and wait until oncoming traffic passes before overtaking.
Holding back ensures the safety of the cyclist and prevents head-on or side-swipe collisions in restricted space.

Key Concept

Safe following and overtaking consideration for vulnerable road users negotiating static hazards
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Consideration for Vulnerable Road Users

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