Specific road users: pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and heavy vehicles
What this domain tests
This domain tests how to share the road safely with vulnerable users and with vehicles that have limited visibility or long stopping distances.
Vulnerable users
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and heavy vehicles need different treatment. At zebra crossings, give way to pedestrians who are crossing or clearly about to cross. Give cyclists at least 1.5 m outside built-up areas and 1 m inside. Motorcyclists are hard to see at junctions; look twice.
Heavy vehicles
- Trucks and buses have large blind spots, especially on the right and in front.
- They need more space to turn and stop; never overtake on the right when they are turning.
- At roundabouts, stay back if a long vehicle is turning; it may use two lanes.
Worked example
A truck signals right and a cyclist is on its inside. Reasoning: the truck's right blind spot is dangerous, and the cyclist may be invisible. Do not ride or drive into that gap; wait behind the truck until it has turned.
Traps
Assuming a cyclist will always give way; passing a stopped tram without checking for pedestrians; overtaking a truck on the right as it turns; forgetting that children and older pedestrians may move unpredictably.