While overtaking a cyclist in conditions of limited visibility, outside a built-up area, should you use short horn signals?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
YES
Explanation
In the photo you are driving in fog on a road outside a built-up area; in front of you, at the right edge, there is a cyclist in a light-coloured jacket. When overtaking him in such conditions, you should give short horn signals so that he knows you are coming. The answer is: yes.
The Road Traffic Act requires the driver of a power-driven vehicle, in conditions of reduced visibility, to switch on dipped headlights or front fog lights, and outside a built-up area, in fog, to give short horn signals when overtaking or going around. This is one of the few cases when using the horn is an obligation, not just a right: in fog the cyclist cannot see you in the mirror or over his shoulder, and a short signal warns him not to move to the left. You overtake slowly, with a lateral clearance of at least 1 m, because someone may also appear out of the fog from the opposite direction.
Legal basis: Art. 30 para. 1 point 1 letter a and b and Art. 24 para. 2 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)