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Difficulty: Very hardNavigating Vehicle Blind Spots

You are driving a standard car in slow-moving urban traffic and intend to turn left at an upcoming junction. A cyclist is riding in a designated cycle lane on your left. Directly ahead of you, a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) is also signaling left for the same junction, but the driver begins to steer out towards the right-hand lane before the turn. Considering the blind spots of all vehicles involved, what is the safest course of action?

  1. Hold your position well behind the LGV until it completes its turn, and perform a physical check over your left shoulder to ensure the cyclist is clear before you proceed.Answer
  2. B
    Accelerate into the space created on the left side of the LGV to make your turn promptly, as the LGV driver has mistakenly moved into the wrong lane.
  3. C
    Rely exclusively on your left exterior mirror to monitor the cyclist's progress while you pull up closely behind the LGV to turn immediately after it.
  4. D
    Focus entirely on the rear brake lights of the LGV to maintain a safe following distance, assuming the cyclist will yield to turning traffic.

Answer

Hold your position well behind the LGV until it completes its turn, and perform a physical check over your left shoulder to ensure the cyclist is clear before you proceed.
Safe navigation in this scenario requires managing two distinct blind spot hazards. First, you must stay out of the LGV's extensive near-side blind spot by holding back and allowing it to complete its wide turning arc. Second, you must actively clear your own vehicle's blind spot by performing a physical left shoulder check to ensure you do not turn across the path of the cyclist.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the LGV's maneuver and road position.
Recognize that the LGV is swinging right to create necessary space for a sharp left turn.
LGVs have long wheelbases and extensive blind spots; understanding their turning arc prevents you from entering high-risk crush zones on their near side.
2
Adjust your vehicle's position and speed.
Hold back and maintain a safe distance behind the LGV.
Staying well back keeps you visible in the LGV driver's mirrors and ensures you are not trapped as the rear of the trailer sweeps across the junction.
3
Monitor the vulnerable road user.
Track the cyclist's position in the dedicated near-side lane.
Cyclists often travel straight ahead at junctions and can easily disappear into your vehicle's near-side blind spot.
4
Perform final safety checks before executing your turn.
Look in the interior mirror, left exterior mirror, and physically over your left shoulder.
A physical shoulder check is the only reliable method to confirm your near-side blind spot is completely clear of cyclists before steering left.

Key Concept

Simultaneous Management of Ego-Vehicle and Third-Party Blind Spots
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Topics

Navigating Vehicle Blind Spots

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