When passing a cyclist, what should drivers be especially cautious about?

Maintaining a safe distance when passing a cyclist is crucial for ensuring the safety of both the cyclist and the driver. This distance helps to provide the cyclist with a buffer from the vehicle, reducing the risk of accidents, especially in situations where a cyclist might suddenly need to maneuver to avoid an obstacle, such as potholes, debris, or other road conditions.

Cyclists can be unpredictable since they may change their position on the road, so keeping an adequate distance allows the driver to react appropriately if the cyclist swerves or if another situation arises. Furthermore, maintaining a safe distance demonstrates the driver’s respect for the cyclist's space, acknowledging that they have a right to the road as well.

While the other choices address various aspects of road safety, they do not prioritize the immediate concern when passing cyclists, which is preventing collisions by ensuring a safe gap. For example, using a bike lane pertains to cyclists but does not directly address the interaction between vehicles and cyclists during passing maneuvers. Driving parallel to a cyclist can also be unsafe without sufficient distance. Finally, obeying speed limits is important for overall road safety but does not specifically account for the unique dynamics involved when passing a cyclist.