Chapter 3 - Traffic Signs Flashcards
What are the three different types of road signs?
Road signs may be mandatory signs or prohibitive signs
- Traffic signs
- Traffic lights
- Traffic markings on the road surface
What is the operational area of a traffic sign?
Traffic sign normally applies to the whole width of the road they are on.
Only signs that prohibit parking or waiting apply to the side of the road they are on.
Note - sometimes the sign has the word zone on top –> sign applies to the entire area referred to as zone.
What are supplementary road signs?
Supplementary road signs are placed under traffic signs.
These supplementary road signs may tell you what cases the sign applies and to whom it applies to.
Supplementary sign shows symbol –> sign applies to this category –> Note if the word except/uitgezondered is on the sign the category in question is excluded from the rule.
Difference between Sign A and B?
How many categories of traffic signs are there?
There are 11 catrgories
The categories are referred to by letters and the signs within the group by figures
What category A for traffic signs?
Speed signs
These signs prohibit driving faster than the indicated speed or indicate the end of the speed limit. May also indicate maximum speed in an entire zone.
Red circle –> Max speed –> can’t surpass
Blue sqaure –> Recommended speed.
What is category B for traffic signs?
Right of way signs
These signs regulate right of way on crossings and on some roads that bend off.
Some right of way signs oblige you to stop others require you to approach with caution.
What is category C for traffic signs?
Closed Roads
These signs tell you who may and may not enter a road
What is category D for traffic signs?
Direction signs
These signs oblige you to follow the indicated direction
What is category E for traffic signs?
Parking and waiting signs
These signs tell you where you can and cannot park
What is category F for traffic signs?
Other mandatory and prohibitive signs
These signs tell you where and who you can or cannot overtake, when you must give way to approaching taffic or when othe prohibitions are lifted.
What is category G for traffic signs?
Signs to indicate traffic rules
These signs indicate a trunk road/motorway or a residential area subject to speed restrictions or a footpath, bicycle/moped track etc.
What is category J for traffic signs?
Warning Signs
Warning signs point to iminent danger and you to take it into account –> placed in places where the danger might be unexpected.
What is category K for traffic signs?
Panels with route directions
These signs give you information about the direction you should take to a certain place –> and whether the route goes via motorway, trunk road or provincial road.
What is category L for traffic signs?
Information panels
These signs tell you how many lanes there are and indicate the end of a lane, whether the road comes to a dead end, etc.
What are dynamic route informations panels?
Electronic boards (found on motorways near cities) –> display information that will help you choose the best route.
- Show traffic hold ups
- How long it takes to reach the destination –> changes caused bny roadworks etc.
What happens when there two traffic signs, a main speed limit and temporary speed limit sign?
The temporary sign applies
In the case of a speed limit –> The lowest speed shown always applies
What are Matrix signs?
Matrix signs/electronic traffic signs have the same meaning as normal traffic signs –> usually suspended over the road.
Remember Lowest speed limit always applies.
Under what circumstances are you NOT allowed to cross a solid line on your left?
You are not allowed to cross a solid line on your left, if the solid line:
- divides the road into lanes
- marks the axis of the road
Under what circumstances are you NOT allowed to cross a solid line on your right?
You are not allowd to cross a solid line on your right if the solid line:
- divides the road into lanes
- Marks a bicycle lane –> does not apply to motor-assisted bicycle
Under which circumstances are you allowed to cross a solid line?
- You may cross a continious solid line that marks the side of the lane –> for example if you have to stop in case of a breakdown
- You may cross a continious lane that marks the division between a normal lane and rush-hour lane –> applies when the rush hour lane is open.
What happens if a broken line runs parrallel with a solid line on your side of the road?
If a broken line runs parrallel with the solid line on your side of the road, you are allowed to cross both, but only if it is safe to do so.
Are you allowed to use bus lanes?
No
Bus lanes must be used by buses!
What are warning lines?
A broken line where the solid lines are longer than the interruptions —> warning line.
It means that you are approaching a blind bend or slope.
What do diagonal hatchings tell you?
Diagonal hatchings are parts of road marked with diagonal white lines –> applied to reduce the number of lanes.
You are NOT allowed to drive on the hatchings.
Do temporary road markings take precedence over other road markings?
Yes!
Usually temporary road markings are yellow –> take precedence over white lines
Note –> tend to be smoother than normal road surface –> take this into account in wet weather.
What does the amber light signify?
Obviously…
Red - Stop
Green - Go
But the amber light is somewhere inbetween.
Two scenarios…
- If you approach the amber light too fast, you will not have time to stop in time, since the stopping distance increases with speed –> so you are allowed to proceed
- If you have time to stop then you should not ignore the amber light –> safely stop.
Note –> amber lights are also present on dangerous sections of the road to indicate that there is a traffic light ahead.
What should you take into account with a traffic light without an arrow?
If you turn right at a green traffic light does does not have an arrow pointing to the right –> you can expect to encounter oncoming traffic –> You must give way to this traffic.
Two things to keep in mind when approaching a traffic light?
- Moderate speed –> you don’t know when it is going to turn yellow.
- Make sure that the traffic behind you can see that you are going to stop.
What should you take into account with a traffic light with an arrow?
Traffic light with a arrow –> means that you will not need to watch out for other oncoming traffic –> any other traffic from any other direction has a red light.
Things to take into account when lining up at a traffic light?
- Enter into the correct lane –> If you want to turn left at a junction make sure to join the left lane –> otherwise it will be much harder to turn left at the junction.
- Remember to line up to the left of a stationary lorry –> since you accelarate more quickly –> ensure for a free flow of traffic.
Do some traffic lights respond to traffic volume?
Yes, some do react to traffic volume.
Basically, the traffic light can detect you when are approaching —> means that the light jumps from red to green.
What happens when traffic lights stop working?
Traffic lights that are not working usually flash an amber light. In this case it works as a warning light.
Approach light with extra caution –> look out for right of way signs –> None present? –> follow general right of way rules.
Are there circumstances where a cyclists or moped riders can go through a red light?
Yes some supplementary road signs place under traffic lights indicate that the red light does not apply to cyclists or moped riders.
E.g. Rechtsaf voor fietsers vrij
Note –> the cyclists or moped drivers still need to give priority to crossing traffic.
What does a amber flashing light indicate?
That you are approaching a dangerous spot –> Approach with caution –> light often found with a sign with information about the nature of the hazardous situation.
Arrows may also be pointing in a direction –> meaning that you have to be cautious when turning in that direction.
What are two-colour traffic lights used for?
Two-colour traffic lights - Red & Amber –> They are often found at bridges as a transitional signal or at railway crossings.
The meaning of amber and red lights is similar to that of the three-colour traffic lights.
What are level crossing lights?
Level crossing lights are found at railways
- White flashing light –> Means no train is approaching –> so you may proceed
- Red flashing light –> you must stop.
What are bridge lights?
Lights found at a bridge –> Red or red flashing light means you must stop –> often used in combination with a two-coloured traffic light.
What are the different types of overhead lane signalling?
Overhead lane signalling also referred to as the ‘matrix boards’
- Green arrow –> can stay in current lane
- White arrow –> An advanced warning of the red cross
- Red cross –> You cannot stay in your current lane
- Bus –> coaches/schedulded buses may stay in the lane
- Circle with a cross –> End of all restrictions indicated previously on a matrix board
- Speed limits –> recommended and max speeds.
When are there deviations to the normal traffic rules?
General traffic rules apply at all times and locations except…
Where boards, signs, traffic lights or directions given by traffic officers are used to indicate that traffic is to deviate from them.
What is the order of importance for traffic rules?
- Instructions –> traffic officers
- Traffic lights
- Roads signs and signs on the road surfaces
- Traffic regulations –> e.g. priority to the right
What power do school crossing patrol officers have?
They help children cross the road and also have the authority to make drivers stop.
What power does a person accompanying a rail vehicle have?
You are also obliged to stop if a person accompanying a rail vehicle gives a stop signal –> may be a red flag or light.
What can power does the police, military police and customs have on the road?
Police, military police and customs officers –> can give instructions and you must obey!
E.g. Order to stop using red lamp or STOP sign.
