Passing a bus stopped at a bus stop
Look at the picture, read the situation, and mark each of the three statements true (○) or false (✕). All three right scores 2 points.
You are approaching the rear of a route bus stopped at a bus stop at 40 km/h. You can get by on the right of the bus (the through-traffic side), but a pedestrian looks likely to step out from in front of the bus. Answer true or false for each of the following.
- (1)The bus is stopped, so you overtake on the right and go past right away.
- (2)A pedestrian might step out from the blind side of the bus, so you slow down, see what is happening, and then overtake.
- (3)To avoid being hit from behind by the vehicle following you, you go straight on without steering clear of the bus and without slowing down.
Show the answers and explanation
- (1) ✕ FalseThe bus is stopped, so you overtake on the right and go past right away.
- (2) ○ TrueA pedestrian might step out from the blind side of the bus, so you slow down, see what is happening, and then overtake.
- (3) ✕ FalseTo avoid being hit from behind by the vehicle following you, you go straight on without steering clear of the bus and without slowing down.
Explanation
With a bus stopped at a bus stop, there is a high risk that passengers who have just got off will cross in front of it (Rules of the Road (kyōsoku), Ch. 5, Sec. 3, 1(5)). Slow down and check the situation before passing. You must not sacrifice your own safety judgment for the sake of the vehicle behind you.
Source: Rules of the Road (kyōsoku), Ch. 5, Sec. 3, 1(5) (pedestrians darting out from behind a bus) / Rules of the Road, Ch. 5, Sec. 4, 1(3) / Road Traffic Act, Art. 70 (duty to drive safely)
