How should you behave when forced to continue driving behind a driving lesson vehicle, without the possibility of overtaking?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
A. Maintain an appropriate distance, bearing in mind what kins of mistakes the driver might make.
Explanation
In the photo you can see a red driving school car with an "L" sign on the roof, entering a bend in the road where the broken centre line changes into a double solid line. When you cannot overtake it safely, you keep an appropriate distance, taking into account the possible mistakes of the learner driver - answer A.
The Road Traffic Act requires you to be careful and to keep the distance needed to avoid a collision if the vehicle in front brakes. A learner driver is only learning to drive: he may brake suddenly, stall the engine or misjudge the situation, so a bigger distance gives you time to react. The horn (answer B) may be used only in case of danger, and sounding the horn at a learner driver will frighten him and increase the risk of a mistake. Hazard warning lights (answer C) are used to signal a stop because of a breakdown or danger, not for driving behind a slower vehicle. Where a double solid line is marked, overtaking is prohibited anyway.
Legal basis: Art. 3 para. 1, Art. 19 para. 2 point 3 and Art. 29 para. 1 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym)