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Question

Difficulty: MediumOlder and Disabled People

You are driving along a busy urban street with parked cars on both sides. Ahead, you notice a pedestrian accompanied by an assistance dog wearing a burgundy coat preparing to cross between two parked vehicles. What should you do as you approach?

  1. A
    Flash your headlights repeatedly to beckon the pedestrian across the road
  2. Reduce your speed and prepare to stop, recognising that the pedestrian may not hear your vehicle approachingAnswer
  3. C
    Accelerate promptly past the pedestrian to clear the gap between the parked vehicles before they step onto the road
  4. D
    Steer towards the centre of the road to give extra room without checking your mirrors or blind spots

Answer

Reduce your speed and prepare to stop, recognising that the pedestrian may not hear your vehicle approaching
An assistance dog with a burgundy coat supports someone who is deaf or hard of hearing. Because the pedestrian might not hear traffic approaching, you must reduce your speed, stay alert, and be ready to stop safely if they emerge from between parked vehicles.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the visual indicator displayed by the assistance dog
Recognise that an assistance dog wearing a burgundy coat is trained by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to assist someone with a hearing impairment.
Understanding visual disability aids helps drivers anticipate specific vulnerable road user limitations.
2
Assess the potential road risk given the pedestrian's location and impairment
Understand that the pedestrian may not be aware of your approaching vehicle by sound and may step out from between parked cars.
Pedestrians who are deaf or hard of hearing cannot rely on engine noise or traffic sounds to judge approach.
3
Formulate the correct defensive driving response
Slow down, maintain total control, and prepare to stop safely if the pedestrian moves into the carriageway.
The Highway Code requires drivers to show extra care and patience around vulnerable road users.

Key Concept

Identifying hearing assistance dogs and adopting safe, defensive driving practices around deaf pedestrians
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Older and Disabled People

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