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Difficulty: EasyWindy Conditions

You are driving along an open rural road in strong, gusty winds and are preparing to overtake a cyclist. What should you do to pass them safely?

  1. A
    Sound your horn loudly as you pass to ensure they maintain their course
  2. B
    Depress the clutch pedal and coast past to maintain vehicle momentum
  3. Allow extra room when overtaking in case a sudden gust blows them off courseAnswer
  4. D
    Brake sharply during the manoeuvre to counteract sudden side winds

Answer

Allow extra room when overtaking in case a sudden gust blows them off course
In high winds, vulnerable road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists, and horse riders are prone to being buffeted or blown off line. Providing extra lateral room when passing ensures that any sudden wobble or swerve caused by a gust of wind does not lead to a collision.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the hazard of strong crosswinds acting upon a vulnerable road user
Recognise that two-wheeled road users such as cyclists can be easily buffeted and blown sideways unexpectedly
Lightweight vehicles and cyclists have high aerodynamic vulnerability to sudden side gusts on open roads
2
Increase lateral passing clearance when overtaking
Provide a wide safety margin equivalent to at least a car's width
Generous lateral clearance ensures that any sudden deviation in the cyclist's path does not result in a collision

Key Concept

Giving vulnerable road users extra lateral clearance in windy conditions
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Windy Conditions

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