Road & Traffic Signs: Part 2

Official DVSA Explanation

As you approach the lights, look into the road you wish to take. Only proceed if your exit road is clear. If the road is blocked, hold back, even if you have to wait for the next green signal.

Official DVSA Explanation

At some junctions, there may be separate signals for different lanes. These are called ‘filter’ lights. They’re designed to help traffic flow at major junctions. Make sure that you’re in the correct lane and proceed if the way is clear and the green light shows for your lane.

Official DVSA Explanation

You might see this sign where traffic lights are out of order. Proceed with caution, as nobody has priority at the junction.

Official DVSA Explanation

*When traffic lights are out of order, you should treat the junction as an unmarked crossroads. Be cautious, as you may need to give way or stop. Look for traffic attempting to cross the junction, unaware that it doesn’t have priority.

Official DVSA Explanation

These signals are found at level crossings, swing or lifting bridges, some airfields and emergency access sites. The flashing red lights mean stop whether or not the way seems to be clear.

Official DVSA Explanation

The approach to, and exit from, a pedestrian crossing is marked with zigzag lines. You mustn’t park on them or overtake the leading vehicle when approaching the crossing. Parking here would block the view for pedestrians and approaching traffic.

Official DVSA Explanation

You may cross the solid white line to pass a stationary vehicle or to pass a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle if it’s travelling at 10 mph or less. You may also cross the solid white line to enter a side road or access a property.

Official DVSA Explanation

Road markings will warn you of a hazard ahead. A single broken line along the centre of the road, with long markings and short gaps, is a hazard warning line. Don’t cross it unless you can see that the road is clear well ahead.

Official DVSA Explanation

Because the road has a dark colour, changes in level aren’t easily seen. White triangles painted on the road surface give you an indication of where there are road humps.

Official DVSA Explanation

You need to know the difference between the normal centre line and a hazard warning line. If there’s a hazard ahead, the markings are longer and the gaps shorter. This gives you advance warning of an unspecified hazard.

Official DVSA Explanation

If your view at a road junction is restricted, you must stop. There may also be a ‘stop’ sign. Don’t emerge until you’re sure no traffic is approaching. If you don’t know, don’t go.

Official DVSA Explanation

Slow down as you approach the roundabout and check for traffic from the right. If you need to stop and give way, stay behind the broken line until it’s safe to emerge onto the roundabout.

Official DVSA Explanation

*You must obey signals given by the police. If a police officer in a patrol vehicle wants you to pull over, they’ll indicate this without causing danger to you or other traffic.

Official DVSA Explanation

When a police officer or traffic warden is directing traffic, you must obey them. They’ll use the arm signals shown in The Highway Code. Learn what these signals mean and obey them.

Official DVSA Explanation

There might be an occasion where another driver uses an arm signal. This may be because the vehicle’s indicators are obscured by other traffic. In order for such signals to be effective, all drivers should know their meaning. Be aware that the ‘left turn’ signal might look similar to the ‘slowing down’ signal.

Official DVSA Explanation

When driving on a motorway or slip road, you mustn’t enter an area marked with chevrons and bordered by a solid white line for any reason, except in an emergency.

Official DVSA Explanation

On the motorway, signs sometimes show temporary warnings due to traffic or weather conditions. They may be used to indicate

• lane closures

• temporary speed limits

• weather warnings.

Official DVSA Explanation

Look out for signs above your lane or on the central reservation. These will give you important information or warnings about the road ahead. To allow for the high speed of motorway traffic, these signs may light up some distance from any hazard. Don’t ignore the signs just because the road looks clear to you.

Official DVSA Explanation

You should change lanes as directed by the sign. Here, the right-hand lane is closed but the left-hand and centre lanes are available. Merging in turn is recommended when it’s safe and traffic is going slowly; for example, at roadworks or a road traffic incident. When vehicles are travelling at speed, this isn’t advisable and you should move into the appropriate lane in good time.

Official DVSA Explanation

Before you set out on your journey, use a road map to plan your route. When you see an advance warning of your junction, make sure you get into the correct lane in plenty of time. Last-minute harsh braking and cutting across lanes at speed is extremely hazardous.

Official DVSA Explanation

*You should stay in the left-hand lane of a motorway unless you’re overtaking another vehicle. The right-hand lane of a motorway is an overtaking lane; it isn’t the ‘fast lane’. After overtaking, move back to the left when it’s safe to do so.

Official DVSA Explanation

*At night or in poor visibility, reflective studs on the road help you to judge your position on the carriageway.

Official DVSA Explanation

*Knowing the colours of the reflective studs on the road will help you judge your position, especially at night, in foggy conditions or when visibility is poor.

Official DVSA Explanation

You’ll see this sign if the motorway is closed ahead. Pull into the left-hand lane as soon as it’s safe to do so. Don’t wait until the last moment before you move across, because the lane may be busy and you’ll have to rely on another driver making room for you.ol.

Official DVSA Explanation

When you leave the motorway, make sure that you check your speedometer. You may be going faster than you realise. Slow down and look for speed-limit signs.

Official DVSA Explanation

You should know the speed limit for the road on which you’re travelling and the vehicle that you’re driving. The different speed limits are shown in The Highway Code.

Official DVSA Explanation

*If you’re travelling on a dual carriageway that becomes a single carriageway road, reduce your speed gradually so that you aren’t exceeding the limit as you enter. There might not be a sign to remind you of the limit, so make sure you know the speed limits for different types of road and vehicle.

Official DVSA Explanation

Temporary restrictions on motorways are shown on signs that have flashing amber lights. At the end of the restriction, you’ll see this sign without any flashing lights.

Official DVSA Explanation

When a diversion route has been put in place, drivers are advised to follow a symbol, which may be a black triangle, square, circle or diamond shape on a yellow background.

Official DVSA Explanation

In the interests of road safety, temporary mandatory speed limits are imposed at all major roadworks. Signs like this, giving advance warning of the speed limit, are normally placed about three-quarters of a mile ahead of where the speed limit comes into force.

Official DVSA Explanation

The sign gives you an early warning of a speed restriction. If you’re travelling at a higher speed, slow down in good time. You could come across queuing traffic due to roadworks or a temporary obstruction.

Official DVSA Explanation

When traffic lights are out of order, treat the junction as an unmarked crossroads. Be very careful and be prepared to stop; no-one has priority.

Official DVSA Explanation

*In some situations, you may feel your indicators can’t be seen by other road users. If you think you need to make your intention more obvious, give the arm signal shown in The Highway Code.

Official DVSA Explanation

You must comply with all traffic signs and be especially aware of those signs that apply specifically to the type of vehicle you’re using.

Official DVSA Explanation

Sometimes work is carried out on the motorway without closing the lanes. When this happens, signs are mounted on the back of lorries to warn other road users of the roadworks ahead.

Official DVSA Explanation

*Flashing red lights above your lane show that your lane is closed. You should move into another lane as soon as you can do so safely.

Official DVSA Explanation

*Never sound the horn aggressively. You mustn’t sound it when driving in a built-up area between 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, or when you’re stationary, unless another road user poses a danger. Don’t scare animals by sounding your horn.

Official DVSA Explanation

*When your vehicle is stationary, only sound the horn if you think there’s a risk of danger from another road user. Don’t use it just to attract someone’s attention. This causes unnecessary noise and could be misleading.

Official DVSA Explanation

Urban clearways are provided to keep traffic flowing at busy times. You may stop only briefly to set down or pick up passengers. Times of operation will vary from place to place, so always check the signs.

Official DVSA Explanation

You should be careful in these locations, as the road surface is likely to be wet and slippery. There may be a steep drop to the water, and there may not be a barrier along the edge of the road.

Official DVSA Explanation

Even though you have priority, be prepared to give way if other drivers don’t. This will help to avoid congestion, confrontation or even a collision.

Official DVSA Explanation

The centre of the road is usually marked by a broken white line, with lines that are shorter than the gaps. When the lines become longer than the gaps, this is a hazard warning line. Look well ahead for these, especially when you’re planning to overtake or turn off.

Official DVSA Explanation

Yellow ‘box junctions’ like this are often used where it’s busy. Their purpose is to keep the junction clear for crossing traffic. Don’t enter the painted area unless your exit is clear. The one exception is when you’re turning right and are only prevented from doing so by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.

Official DVSA Explanation

Areas of ‘hatched markings’ such as these separate traffic streams that could be a danger to each other. They’re often seen on bends or where the road becomes narrow. If the area is bordered by a solid white line, you mustn’t enter it except in an emergency.

Official DVSA Explanation

*If other drivers flash their headlights, this isn’t a signal to show priority. The flashing of headlights has the same meaning as sounding the horn: it’s a warning of their presence.

Official DVSA Explanation

*In some built-up areas, you may find the speed limit reduced to 20 mph. Driving at a slower speed will help give you the time and space to see and deal safely with hazards such as pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

Official DVSA Explanation

The white light shows that trams must stop. The green light shows that other vehicles can go if the way is clear. Trams are being introduced into more cities, so you’re likely to come across them and you should learn which signs apply to them.

Official DVSA Explanation

These markings show the direction in which the traffic should go at a mini-roundabout.

Official DVSA Explanation

*You must pull up on the left as soon as it’s safe to do so and switch off your engine.

Official DVSA Explanation

At junctions controlled by traffic lights, you must stop behind the white line until the lights change to green. A red light, an amber light, and red and amber lights showing together all mean stop.

You may proceed when the light is green unless your exit road is blocked or pedestrians are crossing in front of you.

If you’re approaching traffic lights that are visible from a distance and the light has been green for some time, be ready to slow down and stop, because the lights are likely to change.

Official DVSA Explanation

You’ll see this sign if there has been an incident ahead and the motorway is closed. You must obey the sign. Make sure that you prepare to leave in good time.

Don’t cause drivers to take avoiding action by cutting in at the last moment.

Official DVSA Explanation

‘Stop’ signs are situated at junctions where visibility is restricted or where there’s heavy traffic. They must be obeyed: you must stop.

Take good all-round observation before moving off.

Official DVSA Explanation

Other warning signs are the same shape and colour, but the ‘give way’ triangle points downwards. When you see this sign, you must give way to traffic on the road that you’re about to enter.

Official DVSA Explanation

When you see this sign, look out for any direction signs and judge whether you need to signal your intentions. Do this in good time so that other road users approaching the roundabout know what you’re planning to do.

Official DVSA Explanation

Be prepared for traffic approaching from junctions on either side of you. Try to avoid unnecessary changing of lanes just before the junction.

Official DVSA Explanation

This sign may be at the end of a dual carriageway or a one-way street. It’s there to warn you of oncoming traffic.

Official DVSA Explanation

You’ll need to slow down. At hump bridges, your view ahead will be restricted and the road will often be narrow. If the bridge is very steep, sound your horn to warn others of your approach. Going over the bridge too fast is highly dangerous to other road users and could even cause your wheels to leave the road, with a resulting loss of control.

Official DVSA Explanation

This sign is found at the entrance to a road that can only be used for access.

Official DVSA Explanation

To ease the congestion in town centres, some cities and towns provide park-and-ride schemes. These allow you to park in a designated area and ride by bus into the centre.

Park-and-ride schemes are usually cheaper and easier than car parking in the town centre.

Official DVSA Explanation

Be aware that other traffic might still be clearing the junction as you approach. A green light means you may go on, but only if the way is clear.

Official DVSA Explanation

This road marking means you should give way to traffic on the main road. It might not be used at junctions where there isn’t much traffic. However, if there’s a double broken line across the junction, the ‘give way’ rules still apply.

Official DVSA Explanation

*You must always obey red flashing stop lights. If a train passes but the lights continue to flash, another train will be passing soon. Cross only when the lights go off and the barriers open.

Official DVSA Explanation

If you have to leave your vehicle and get out of a tunnel by an emergency exit, do so as quickly as you can. Follow the signs directing you to the nearest exit point. If there are several people using the exit, don’t panic but try to leave in a calm and orderly manner.

Official DVSA Explanation

If the road has two lanes, you can use either lane and overtake on either side. Use the lane that’s more convenient for your destination unless signs or road markings indicate otherwise.

Official DVSA Explanation

Buses and cycles can travel in this lane. In this example, they’ll flow in the same direction as other traffic. If it’s busy, they may be passing you on the left, so watch out for them. Times on the sign will show the lane’s hours of operation; if no times are shown, or there’s no sign at all, this means the lane is in operation 24 hours a day. In some areas, other vehicles, such as taxis and motorcycles, are allowed to use bus lanes. The sign will show if this is the case.

Official DVSA Explanation

Look well ahead and check the pavements and surrounding areas for pedestrians. Look for anyone walking towards the crossing. Check your mirrors for traffic behind, in case you have to slow down or stop.

Official DVSA Explanation

Look well ahead and be ready to stop for any pedestrians crossing, or about to cross, the road. Also check the pavements for anyone who looks like they might step or run into the road.

Official DVSA Explanation

This sign is found in or at the end of a one-way system. It warns you that traffic will be crossing your path from both directions.

Official DVSA Explanation

There may be occasions when drivers need to give an arm signal to confirm their intentions. This could include in bright sunshine, at a complex road layout, when stopping at a pedestrian crossing or when turning right just after passing a parked vehicle. You should understand what each arm signal means. If you give arm signals, make them clear, correct and decisive.

Official DVSA Explanation

Blue circles tell you what you must do and this sign gives a clear instruction to turn left ahead. You should be looking out for signs at all times and know what they mean.

Official DVSA Explanation

In a one-way system, traffic may pass you on either side. Always be aware of all traffic signs and understand their meaning. Look well ahead and react to them in good time.

Official DVSA Explanation

If you know which light is going to show next, you can plan your approach accordingly. This can help prevent excessive braking or hesitation at the junction.

Official DVSA Explanation

When approaching a tunnel, switch on your dipped headlights. Be aware that your eyes might need to adjust to the sudden darkness. You may need to reduce your speed.