DVSA Vulnerable Road Users 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You see a pedestrian with a white cane that has a red band. What does this indicate?
- The person is deaf
- The person is deaf and blind (Correct answer)
- The person has a visual impairment only
- The person has limited mobility
Correct answer: The person is deaf and blind
A white cane with a red band indicates that the person is both deaf and blind. They may not be able to hear your vehicle or see your signals. You should be extremely cautious and patient around them.
Question 2: When should you be most cautious of elderly pedestrians at a crossing?
- They may not be able to judge the speed of approaching traffic (Correct answer)
- They are more likely to jaywalk
- They always cross in groups
- They usually ignore traffic signals
Correct answer: They may not be able to judge the speed of approaching traffic
Elderly pedestrians may have difficulty judging the speed of approaching traffic, they may walk more slowly, and they may have hearing or sight impairments. Allow extra time for them to cross and be patient.
Question 3: You are reversing your vehicle in a car park. What is the main danger?
- Scratching another vehicle
- Small children may not be visible behind your vehicle (Correct answer)
- You may stall the engine
- Other drivers may sound their horns
Correct answer: Small children may not be visible behind your vehicle
Small children can be completely hidden behind a vehicle and may not understand the danger. Before reversing, you should walk around your vehicle to check for children and use your mirrors and any reversing aids throughout the manoeuvre.
Question 4: You are driving past a parked ice cream van on a residential street. What hazard should you anticipate?
- The van may pull away without warning
- Children may run out into the road from behind the van (Correct answer)
- The van may open its serving hatch into the road
- Other drivers may stop suddenly to buy ice cream
Correct answer: Children may run out into the road from behind the van
Children are often attracted to ice cream vans and may run across the road without looking, excited and focused on the van rather than traffic. Slow down and be prepared to stop when passing an ice cream van, especially in residential areas.
Question 5: A powered wheelchair user is travelling along the road. How should you treat them?
- The same as a pedestrian (Correct answer)
- The same as a cyclist
- The same as a motorcycle
- They should not be on the road
Correct answer: The same as a pedestrian
Powered wheelchair and mobility scooter users are classified as pedestrians under the Highway Code. Class 3 vehicles (larger mobility scooters) may use the road but should be treated with the same care as any vulnerable road user. Give them plenty of space.
Question 6: You are driving on a country road and see a horse rider ahead signal with their right arm outstretched. What are they indicating?
- They want you to overtake them
- They intend to turn right (Correct answer)
- They are asking you to slow down
- They are waving you past
Correct answer: They intend to turn right
When a horse rider extends their right arm, they are signalling that they intend to turn right. You should slow down, be patient, and not attempt to overtake until they have completed their turn and the road ahead is clear.
DVSA Vulnerable Road Users 2
You see a pedestrian with a white cane that has a red band.
What does this indicate?