Passing buses and trams in the city
Safe driving past buses and trams requires low speed, distance and good reading of stops and intersections.
Buses and trams create their own risk zones in the city. Passengers may step into the road, cyclists can appear alongside them, and large vehicles can block your view in intersections and at pedestrian crossings.
What you need to know
- Low speed gives you time to spot passengers and pedestrians around the stop.
- You need to pay extra attention to doors, mirrors and movement inside the vehicle.
- A tram follows the tracks and cannot swerve away from you like a bus can.
Typical situations
| Situation | What you should do | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Bus at a stop | Reduce speed and read both the bus and the pedestrian area ahead of it. | Passing too close just because the bus is standing still. |
| Tram on a central city street | Keep clearance and assess the path the tram must follow through the turn. | Trying to squeeze past on the wrong side or in the wrong lane. |
| Bus leaving a stop | Be prepared to let it out if the rules require it. | Ignoring the turn signal and creating conflict. |
Common mistakes
- Fixating only on the bus and forgetting the surroundings.
- Passing a tram without understanding how the tracks guide its movement.
- Driving too fast past stops in dense urban areas.
How to practice
Link this with Bus leaving a stop - right of way , City driving and Trams in traffic .