Chapter 7 – Other Types of Vehicles

Once again safety is the main concern. Many of the questions have you, a car driver, following a large vehicle that is about to turn at a junction.

Long vehicles – Lorries and buses

1. Never overtake a lorry that is signaling to turn left or right, whether the road is narrow or wide. Always be prepared to stop behind.
2. A long vehicle may move towards the center of the road before turning left.
3. A long vehicle may stay in the left-hand lane at a roundabout when turning right.
4. Take care when overtaking a long or high-sided vehicle; always make sure you have a clear view of the road ahead. Such vehicles can make it difficult for you to see the road ahead, so keep well back, as this will improve your view ahead.
5. When following a large lorry on a wet road spray, makes it difficult to see – you should drop back until you can see better.
6. When you see a lorry turning toward you on the road – you should slow down and prepared to wait and give way.
7. When you are following along vehicle, it approaches a crossroads and signals left, but moves out to the right, you should stay well back and give it room.
8. When behind a bus at a bus stop always lookout for pedestrians and be ready to give way to the bus as it pulls out.
9. Always give way to a bus that is signaling to pull out if it is safe to do so.

Cyclist and motorcyclists

1. On windy days, when overtaking motorcyclists or cyclists, allow them extra room.
2. Motorcyclists and cyclists will sometimes need to swerve to avoid hazards such as drain covers, so always give them plenty of room when passing them.
3. Crosswinds are most likely to affect cyclists, motorcyclists, high-sided vehicles, and drivers towing caravans or trailers.
4. When driving on a wet road, where heavy spray reduces visibility, you should use dipped headlights and rear fog lights if visibility is less than 100 meters.
5. A motorcyclist is affected more by windy weather, in windy conditions if motorcyclists are overtaking a lorry keep well back because it might be blown off course.
6. Cars are least affected by windy weather.

Other vehicles –  Trams, Vehicle towing trailer & Powered vehicle.

1. Car drivers need to be careful of trams because trams cannot steer to avoid you. Always give way to them
2. Never try and overtake a tram.
3. Trams make little noise. You are unlikely to hear them approaching. Neither can they steer to avoid you.
4. When towing a caravan, you should use extended-arm side mirrors.
5. Powered vehicles such as wheelchairs have a maximum speed of 8 mph (12km/h).