Introduction
You need to take extra care when meeting or following different types of vehicles, both smaller and larger than your own.

Motorcycles
Motorcyclists are affected more than other vehicles by windy weather. They can be blown sideways and veer into your path more easily, so:

• If you’re overtaking a motorcyclist, allow extra room.

• If a motorcyclist in front of you is overtaking a high-sided vehicle, keep well back, as they could be blown off course.

Watch out for signs warning you that the road is particularly susceptible to side winds.

Motorcyclists may swerve into the road to avoid uneven or slippery surfaces. Metal drain covers in wet weather are particularly hazardous for two-wheeled vehicles.

Large Vehicles
Large vehicles reduce your view of the road ahead. Keep well back if you’re following a large vehicle, especially if you’re hoping to overtake. If another car fills the gap you’ve left, drop back further. This will improve your view of the road ahead and ensure you can be seen more easily.

In wet weather, large vehicles throw up a lot of spray. This can affect your visibility, so drop back further until you can see better. If the spray makes it difficult for you to be seen:

• Use dipped headlights.

• Use rear fog lights if visibility is seriously reduced, i.e., less than 100 meters (328 feet).

Overtaking a large vehicle is more risky because of the length of the vehicle – it takes longer to overtake. Never begin to overtake unless you’re sure that you can complete the maneuver safely.

Stay well back and give large vehicles plenty of room as they approach or emerge from

• road junctions

• crossroads

• mini-roundabouts.

To get round a corner, they may need to move in the opposite direction to which they’re indicating. This is because of the length of their vehicle. If they want to turn left, they may indicate left but move over to the right and vice versa.

If you’re waiting to emerge left from a minor road and a large vehicle is approaching from the right, wait. It may seem as if there’s time to turn but the large vehicle could easily hide an overtaking vehicle.

Buses

• Bus drivers need to make frequent stops. If a bus pulls up at a bus stop, watch carefully for pedestrians, who may get off and cross the road in front of or behind the bus. Be prepared to give way to a bus that’s trying to move off from a bus stop, as long as it’s safe to do so.

Trams

• Trams operate in some cities. Take extra care because they:

  • are silent

  • move quickly

  • cannot steer to avoid you.

In these cities, there may be additional white light signals at some traffic lights. These are especially for tram drivers.

FAQs

How can I adjust my mirrors to help me see behind when I’m towing a caravan?

Fit extended-arm side mirrors. These help you get a better view past the caravan.

If I’m driving downhill and a large vehicle coming uphill needs to move out to pass a parked car, should I stop for it?

Slow down and give way if possible. It’s much more difficult for large vehicles to stop and then start up again if they’re going uphill.

Which vehicles are most affected by side winds?

Side winds are much more likely to affect cyclists, motorcyclists, and high-sided vehicles than they affect other vehicles.

Is there a speed limit for powered vehicles used by disabled people?

Powered vehicles used by disabled people, such as wheelchairs and scooters, have a maximum speed limit of 8 mph (12 km/h) when used on the road.

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