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You, as a driver, are not the only person using the road. Most other road user types are more vulnerable than you are because they are less well protected in the event of A collision.
Cyclists
Make allowances for cyclists. They have every right to be on the road. The younger the cyclist, the more you must watch them.
Allow cyclists plenty of room; they might
- glance round, showing they might be about to move out or turn
- make sudden sideways movements into your path
- be carrying light but bulky objects which may affect their control and balance
- weave about, slow down, or stop and get off on a hill
- swerve round potholes or inspection covers or to avoid being hit by a car door being opened
- have problems in bad weather, particularly strong crosswinds
- have difficulty on poor road surfaces or where tramlines are set in the road.
Look out for them particularly when you Are
- in slow- moving traffic
- emerging from a junction
- negotiating a roundabout
Do not assume that cyclists will stay within cycle lanes; it is sometimes safer for them to use the road. Do not drive aggressively or try to intimidate them.
When travelling at low speeds, such as at junctions, cyclists are likely to be more unstable and therefore more vulnerable. Give them plenty of room.
Motorcyclists
Spare a thought for motorcyclists.
Much of what has been said about cyclists also applies to motorcyclist. They are very vulnerable because, like cyclists, they are much smaller than other vehicles, with a narrow profile which makes them difficult to see. However, they also travel much faster than cyclists, so any situation develops much more quickly than those involving cyclists.
Many road traffic incidents happen because drivers fail to notice motorcyclists, so look out for them when
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emerging from junctions. The motorcyclist may be travelling along the major road and may be hidden behind other traffic. They may also be by hidden signs, trees, street furniture etc
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turning into a road on your right. The motorcyclist may be following overtaking or meeting you. Oncoming motorcyclist may be particularly difficult to see if they are being followed by a larger vehicle.
- changing lanes or moving out to overtake slower-moving or parked vehicles.
Remember, motorcyclist and cyclist are harder to see than other
vehicles and are exposed to bad weather, slippery roads and uneven surfaces. Look out for them, especially at junctions.
Think once >> Think twice >> Think bike!
Pay special attention to motorcycles and scooters displaying 'L' plates. The riders of these machines may be riding on the road with very little experience, so are particularly vulnerable. Powered vehicles used by disabled people
These small vehicles can be used on the pavement and on the road. They are extremely vulnerable when they are on the road because of
- their small size, especially their low height
- their low speed (they have a maximum speed of 8 mph (12 km/h)
They are often not easy to see. On a dual carriageway where the speed limit exceeds 50 mph (80 km/h) they should be displaying An amber flashing light, but on other roads you may not have that advance warning.
Buses and coaches
Look well ahead when you see buses and coaches at a bus stop. Be aware of
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people getting off the bus or coach and not looking properly before they cross the road (even if they look, their view is often restricted)
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buses and coaches pulling away from the bus stop. If they are signalling to move out, always give way to them if you can do so safely.
Remember, always think of the other road user, not just yourself.
Pedestrians
Always drive carefully and slowly in areas where there are pedestrians, such as residential areas and crowded shopping streets.
Be particularly careful in Home Zones and quiet Lanes where people could be using the whole road for a range of activities.
Always look out for pedestrians when
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turning from one road to another- give way to any who are crossing the road into which youre turning
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approaching pedestrian crossings. Never overtake on the approach to a crossing
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driving past a bus or tram stop as pedestrians may emerge suddenly into the road.
Keep your speed down when driving in an area where there are pedestrians, especially children. If a pedestrians is in collision with a car, the survival rate of the pedestrian reduces drastically as the speed of the car is increased.
| Car Speed |
Pedestrain Survival |
| 20 mph (32 km/h) |
95% |
| 30 mph (48 km/h) |
50% |
| 35 mph (56 km/h) |
20% |
| 40 mph (64 km/h) |
5% |
Older people - several factors make older People more vulnerable
Poor eyesight or hearing might mean they are not aware of approaching traffic. They Might not be able to judge the speed of approaching traffic when crossing the road. Even when they do realise the danger, they may be unable to move quickly, or they may become flustered.
They may also take longer to cross the Road. Be patient and do not hurry them by Revving your engine or edging forwards.
People with disabilities - Take special care around people with disabilities.
Visually impaired people may not be able to see you approaching. They may carry a white cane or use a guide dog. The guide dog has a distinctive loop type of harness. Remember the dog is trained to wait if there is a vehicle nearby.
A person with hearing difficulties is not easy to identify but they may not be aware of your vehicle approaching. Take extra care if a pedestrian fails to look your way as you approach. They may have a guide dog with a distinctive yellow or burgundy coat.
Those who are deaf and blind may carry a white cane with a red band or may be using a guide dog with a red and white harness. They may not see or hear instruction or signals.
Children - Take extra care when children might to be about, particularly in residential areas and near schools and parks.
Drive carefully and slowly past schools, especially during school start and finish times. Be aware that
- a school crossing warden may stop you to escort children across the road
- children may be getting in or off a bus showing a 'School Bus' sign.
Children are impulsive and unpredictable. Therefore, drive slowly in narrow roads where parked cars obscure your view.
Look out for parked ice cream vans. Children are more interested in ice cream than they are in traffic, and they may run
into the road unexpectedly.
Animals
Animals are easily frightened by noise and vehicles coming close to them. You should
- drive slowly and quietly; don't sound the horn
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keep engine speed low; don't rev your engine or accelerate rapidly once you have passed them
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always watch out for animals on unfenced roads, they may step out in front of you. You should always be able to stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear, especially at night when your lights are dipped.
Give animals as much room as possible.
Persons on charge of animals - If someone in charge of animals signals to you to stop. do so and switch of your engine.
Horses - Be particularly careful when approaching horses, especially those ridden by children.
As a driver you should
Be aware that at roundabouts and at junctions where a horse rider is turning right, they may be signalling right but often keep to the left-hand side of the road (and the outside lane around the roundabout) forsafety.
As you approach a horse rider from behind
Always pass wide and slow.
Take special care when meeting what appears to be a ridding school group. Many of the riders might be inexperienced. Horses are potential hazards and you should always take great care when meeting or passing them.
Look out also for horse-drawn vehicles and treat them in a similar way to horses being ridden. |
