School-zone crossing hidden by a stopped minibus
At 07:10 on a school day, you are driving a seven-seat van at 45 km/h in a 30 km/h zone near a primary school in Bissau. Market stalls narrow the road, and the zebra crossing is faded. A minibus is stopped in your lane 25 m ahead with hazard lights on; children are visible between the stalls on the right, and one ball rolls into the road. A moto-táxi behind you is honking and is only 8 m behind. The road is wet from overnight rain, and your windscreen is misting. You have four child seats occupied. The crossing has no traffic lights or patrol officer. A child on the right kerb is holding an adult's hand but is looking at the ball.
1. What should you do with your speed and position in the next 25 m, and why?
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You are at 45 km/h in a 30 km/h school zone, with a wet road, misting screen, a stopped minibus ahead and children near the kerb. You should reduce speed immediately to 20 km/h or less, cover the brake, and be ready to stop before the crossing. The 25 m to the minibus is not enough to pass it safely. Increase the screen demisting, but do not let that distract you from the road. Keep a position that gives you a view between the stalls without moving into the oncoming lane. The honking moto-táxi 8 m behind is not a reason to hurry; if it hits you, that is its failure to keep a safe gap, but you should still signal early and avoid sudden moves.
2. Can you pass the stopped minibus? Explain the decision.
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No. A vehicle stopped at or near a zebra crossing with hazard lights on may be hiding a child, a parent or a market trolley. The crossing is faded, but that does not remove its legal and safety effect. Passing would put you alongside the minibus exactly where a child could emerge, and the wet road lengthens your stopping distance. The correct action is to stop behind the minibus at a distance that leaves you a view of the crossing, or wait until you can see that the crossing and the opposite lane are clear and the minibus is not simply waiting for pedestrians. The moto-táxi behind must wait; do not wave it past into the blind area.
3. The ball rolls into the road and the child starts to step out. What is your sequence?
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Brake firmly and early, keep the steering straight, and stop before the ball if you can. Do not swerve into the oncoming lane or into the market stalls; a child may follow the ball, and a swerve can create a worse crash. Use the horn only as a short warning if the child is already moving, not as a substitute for braking. Once stopped, stay stopped until the child is back on the kerb and an adult has control. Check your mirrors before moving again, because the moto-táxi may try to pass. If the child is in the road, you must give way regardless of the faded markings.