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You want to overtake on a tree-lined avenue. What special aspect should you bear in mind?
Side clearances are frequently misjudged in this situation
Vehicles with high superstructures frequently perform evasive manoeuvres to avoid branches in this situation
Accidents involving trees are particularly frequent here
Here is Our AI Assistant's Explanation
On a tree-lined avenue you should expect several risks at the same time, which is why all three answers are right.
First, the distance to the side is easy to misjudge. The row of trees creates a “tunnel effect”: you feel more squeezed than you really are, or you overlook how close the other vehicle is to the trees. When overtaking, you need enough lateral clearance both to the vehicle you pass and to the trees at the edge of the road, and you must still be able to return safely to your lane.
Second, vehicles with high bodies (trucks, buses, motorhomes, vans) may suddenly move sideways to avoid branches. That means their line can become unpredictable, especially if branches hang low or the shoulder is narrow. When overtaking them, you should allow extra space, be ready for a slight swerve, and only overtake if you can do it quickly and safely without forcing anyone to brake or steer.
Third, tree crashes are especially common and especially severe on avenues. If something goes wrong during overtaking (oncoming traffic, misjudged gap, loss of control), there is often no forgiving “run-off area” because the trees are close to the roadway. The rule of thumb is: on avenues, overtake only with a clearly large safety margin; otherwise, stay behind and wait for a better section.