Sharing the road with vulnerable users

Some road users have little or no protection when things go wrong. A driver sits inside a metal shell with belts and airbags, while a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist has none of that. Because the consequences of a mistake fall hardest on them, drivers carry a special duty of care towards vulnerable road users, and the theory test returns to this idea again and again.

Who counts as vulnerable

Vulnerable road users are the people most likely to be seriously hurt in a collision. They include pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and people riding horses, as well as people using mobility scooters and anyone working at the roadside. Within those groups, children, older people and people with disabilities are at even greater risk, because they may move unpredictably, may be harder to see, or may need more time to cross. Recognising these road users early and giving them space is the foundation of safe, responsible driving.

The duties you owe pedestrians

You must yield to pedestrians who are already crossing at a pedestrian crossing, and let them finish before you move off. A situation drivers often get wrong is turning into a side road: if a pedestrian is crossing the road you are turning into, they have priority and you must wait. Take extra care near schools, shops and bus stops, where people step off the kerb without warning, and never assume a pedestrian has seen you. Never wave a pedestrian across when you cannot see that it is safe for them to go, because you may be waving them into danger from another vehicle.

Cyclists, motorcyclists and horses

Cyclists need room to avoid drains and potholes, so give them space when you pass. Leave at least 1.5 metres when passing a cyclist at speeds over 50 km/h, and at least 1 metre at lower speeds, and wait for a safe gap rather than squeezing by. Motorcyclists are small and easy to miss, especially at junctions, so look twice before you pull out. Horses can be startled by noise and speed, so pass them slowly, leave a wide gap, and avoid revving or sounding the horn.

Parked cars and car doors

Parked cars hide people, so treat every gap between them as a place where someone might step out, especially a child who is hard to see. Slow down and leave room as you pass a line of parked vehicles. Car doors are another hidden danger, because a person may open a door into the path of a cyclist or a passing car without looking. Give parked cars a wide enough berth that an opening door cannot reach you, and the same care applies around buses and vans that people often step out from behind.

Anticipation is everything

The thread running through all of this is anticipation. Look well ahead, read the situation, and expect that a child might run out, a cyclist might wobble, or an older pedestrian might cross slowly. Easing off the accelerator and covering the brake costs you nothing and can prevent a tragedy. To sharpen the way you read and respond to vulnerable users, our Safe and Responsible Driving practice questions focus on exactly these situations.