Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardLarge Goods Vehicles (LGVs)

While waiting to emerge from a narrow side road at a junction, you see a long articulated Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) indicating to turn left into your road. What is the main reason you should stop well back from the junction line?

  1. A
    To create room for oncoming vehicles attempting to overtake the turning lorry on its offside
  2. B
    To signal to the lorry driver by flashing your headlights that it is clear for them to enter
  3. To give the long vehicle sufficient space because its rear wheels will track across your lane during the turnAnswer
  4. D
    To ensure your vehicle does not remain positioned directly in the lorry driver's rear blind spot

Answer

To give the long vehicle sufficient space because its rear wheels will track across your lane during the turn
Long articulated Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) require extra road space when turning into narrow streets. Because the rear wheels of the trailer do not follow the exact path of the front cab wheels (known as 'cut-in' or off-tracking), the trailer cuts across the centre line into the opposing lane. Stopping well back from the junction line keeps your car clear of the lorry's swept path, preventing collisions and allowing the driver to complete the turn safely.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the physical dimensions and turning requirements of the approaching Large Goods Vehicle (LGV).
Recognise that articulated lorries exhibit significant off-tracking, where the rear trailer wheels follow a much tighter radius than the front cab wheels.
Long vehicles need extra road space to navigate narrow turns without mounting the pavement or colliding with stationary objects.
2
Evaluate the layout of the narrow side road and the position of your vehicle relative to the junction line.
Identify that if you stop directly at the 'Give Way' or 'Stop' line, your vehicle will occupy the road space that the lorry's trailer must swing through to complete the turn.
Failing to hold back forces the lorry to stop awkwardly, blocks the junction, or risks a side collision.
3
Select the correct defensive driving response before the lorry begins its turn.
Stop well back from the junction markings to leave the entrance clear for the swept path of the lorry.
Providing ample road space maintains safety and allows traffic flow to continue smoothly.

Key Concept

Articulated vehicle swept path dynamics and junction clearance
Estimated Time:50s
Rate this question

Topics

Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs)

More questions from this topic