Stationary vehicles, slow moving hazards and passing cyclists.
Stationary Vehicles ( or general hazards ) and Slow Moving Hazards such as cyclists are dealt with in the same fashion. The identification of hazards is important and you must remember that a hazard is easily defined as "anything which makes you change speed or direction".
Once the hazard has been identified you should check your mirrors in pairs, centre and right and indicate if necessary. The signal should only be for a couple of seconds and must be applied before turning the steering wheel. A couple of seconds is enough to inform the driver behind of your intentions but not enough to confuse them into thinking that you are either turning right or pulling over to stop on the right.
If necessary being if there is anyone behind you and by indicating you are telling them that there is a hazard in-front. You are then free to pass the stationary vehicle (or other hazard) with suitable clearance.
On a sraight road if there were a stationary vehicle in front of me I would not indicate to pass the vehicle. People are expecting me to do that anyway. If the road after the stationary vehicle were to go around a bend then I would indicate prior to moving out because I would be giving the vehicle behind me advance notice of a potentially hazardous situation ahead.
You only indicate to pass something if you are informing the driver behind about a hazard.
Personally I would always indicate to go around cyclists, both for the driver behind and the safety of the cyclist.
Suitable clearance may change depending on the hazard:
- For a car you would allow door width so that your vehicle will not be damaged by an idiot that did not check their mirrors before opening their door.
- For a cyclist you would allow more space because in windy conditions or if the road surface is not so good the cyclist may wobble from their normal course at just the wrong moment.
- If there is a horse ahead of you it is essential that you do not pass unless there is a very large gap in the oncoming traffic. For the sake of the horse you must pass both slowly and very wide so that you do not frighten the animal. If you are of the opinion that horses should not be on the road remember two things. Firstly they have just as much right to be there as you. Secondly; no matter what your opinion of horse riders respect the safety of the horse. It has no choice in being there.
