Question

Difficulty: EasyCyclists

You are driving on a rural road on a windy day and approach a cyclist travelling ahead of you. Which TWO actions should you take to pass them safely? (Select TWO answers)

  1. Allow extra passing distance because sudden gusts of wind could cause the cyclist to wobble or swerveAnswer
  2. Wait behind the cyclist until oncoming traffic is clear and it is safe to pull outAnswer
  3. C
    Squeeze past within your lane without crossing the centre line
  4. D
    Overtake immediately without checking your mirrors or blind spots

Answer

You should allow extra passing distance because wind gusts can blow the cyclist off line, and wait behind until the road ahead is clear before overtaking.
In windy conditions, cyclists are particularly susceptible to crosswinds and may swerve suddenly to maintain balance. Drivers must wait behind until oncoming traffic is clear and give plenty of room when overtaking.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess the weather conditions and the width of the road
Recognise that windy weather increases the risk of the cyclist swerving unexpectedly and that overtaking requires full use of the oncoming lane
Vulnerable road users need increased safety margins in windy conditions
2
Hold back patiently and wait for a clear gap in oncoming traffic before moving out
Ensure there is ample room to overtake safely with at least 1.5 metres of clearance
Drivers must give cyclists at least as much room as they would when overtaking a car

Key Concept

Safe following, observation, and clearance distances when overtaking cyclists in windy weather
Estimated Time:45s
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