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Difficulty: HardOvertaking Rules

You are following a long articulated lorry on a single carriageway. As the lorry approaches a narrow side road on the left, the driver signals left but moves over towards the centre line. What should you do?

  1. A
    Overtake the lorry on its left-hand side through the open gap before it starts turning
  2. Stay well back behind the lorry and allow it to complete the turn before proceedingAnswer
  3. C
    Flash your headlights to assert priority and accelerate past the lorry on its right
  4. D
    Move into the left-side space and sound your horn to alert the driver to your presence

Answer

Stay well back behind the lorry and allow it to complete the turn before proceeding.
Long articulated vehicles need extra road space to manoeuvre around tight corners. When turning left into a narrow road, the driver must swing out towards the centre line to prevent the rear wheels mounting the pavement. Under Highway Code Rule 167, drivers must never try to overtake on the left or push past on the right; they must stay well back and wait patiently until the turn is fully completed.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyse the vehicle type, signal, and road position.
The vehicle ahead is a long articulated lorry signalling left but moving right towards the centre line.
Long vehicles have a large swept path and need to swing out wide to clear the kerb and corner radius when turning into narrow junctions.
2
Evaluate the risks of overtaking on either side.
Passing on the left risks being crushed by the trailer off-tracking, while overtaking on the right creates conflict with oncoming traffic or the cab's turning path.
According to Highway Code Rule 167, drivers must not attempt to overtake a vehicle that is indicating to turn left and has moved to the right to make the turn.
3
Determine the required driver action.
Hold back safely at an appropriate distance behind the lorry.
Keeping a safe distance maintains full visibility, keeps you out of the driver's blind spots, and allows the lorry sufficient room to finish the manoeuvre safely.

Key Concept

Highway Code Rule 167 prohibits overtaking on the left or right when a large vehicle moves out to negotiate a tight turn.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Overtaking Rules

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