Meeting / other traffic Flashcards
What should you always do around other traffic?
Ensure you follow the Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre routine whenever you change direction, turn or overtake another vehicle
Plan and anticipate for what other drivers may be about to do and what you may need to do in response
Know why and when to give way – for example if there is an obstruction on your side of the road
When passing parked vehicles always be aware of the possibility of car doors opening or pedestrians stepping out from between parked vehicles
When passing cyclists, pedestrians on the road or horses always slow down and give them as much space on the road as you would if overtaking another car
What should you always do at give way signs?
Give way to all traffic on the major road
Wait until safe to do so before entering the major road.
You must not put other road users in a position where they need to change speed, direction or apply their brakes.
Always Look, Assess, Decide and Act at any Give Way sign.
Other situations where you may need to give way
When there is an obstruction on the side of the road you are travelling on. Always be prepared to give way to oncoming traffic
When you are joining a motorway, the traffic already on the motorway has priority and you should not join the flow of traffic until it is safe to do so. You must blend in. Signalling will help a lot.
At the approach to a junction, you must give way to traffic on the main road if there are broken white lines across the road
If turning left always give way to vehicles in bus lanes, cycle lanes or tramways
At a roundabout, give priority to traffic approaching from your right unless directed otherwise by road signs or markings say otherwise.
If crossing a pavement, for example to reach a driveway, always give way to pedestrians
When crossing traffic
Position your car as close to the centre of the road as safe
Check for any incoming traffic before crossing
Be prepared to stop if necessary and then cross once safe to do so
A good rule of thumb is, if you were a pedestrian waiting to cross, could you safely walk in front of the car coming towards you.
When overtaking
Only overtake when it is safe and legal to do so.
Always pay attention to road markings and signs to ensure you are in an area where it is legal to overtake
When overtaking always start to plan early so that you have a good view of the road ahead
Always check the positions of any vehicles behind, in front and coming towards you
Do not overtake if there is a junction on either side
Never overtake if
You would have to cross double white lines, with a solid line nearest to you
You would have to enter an area designed to divide traffic, if it is surrounded by a solid white line
If overtaking would mean entering a lane reserved for buses or cycles
After passing a ‘No Overtaking’ sign, until you have passed a sign cancelling this restriction
Who has priority when meeting traffic?
Generally, when the obstruction is on our side of the road the other driver has priority. If you think it about this makes sense as we will be going onto their side of the road.
We should give way to vehicles in these situations, however, don’t assume other cars will do the same.
If you have priority the majority of the time vehicles will give way to you, but you should always be wary that they may have not seen you or have reacted incorrectly.
Try to assess the other car’s “body language”, for example if the car doesn’t seem to be slowing down then you should slow down and be ready to give way.
What is the hold back point?
Position where we will stop to give way
Things to consider at the hold back point
Space
Signal
Moving off
Space at the hold back point
How much space does the other car need to get past us?
We need to leave enough room but we don’t want to be so far over to the left that we look like we’re parked.
Signal at the hold back point
Our road position is a great signal to other drivers.
We want to leave the car slightly angled to the right and sticking out around the parked car or obstruction, so any oncoming cars can see us and cars behind us know we’re waiting to move off and not parked
Moving off at the hold back point
We should stop far enough back from the obstacle that we have an easy move off, also stopping slightly out from the obstacle will give you a better view to decide when to go
Moving off again after meeting traffic
The first thing we need to consider here is do we need to stop in the first place?
We should always be planning and trying to keep continuous motion, so if we can drop our speed and allow time for the other car to pass whilst continuing then great.
Note that in doing this don’t allow yourself to get too close to the parked car, always stop once you get to your hold back point.
Once we have stopped and the road is clear for us to move off again, we need to follow our P.O.M routine. (Prepare Observe Move)
Prepare for moving off after meeting traffic
Prepare the car as you would for any normal move off.
Observe for moving off after meeting traffic
Check ahead to see if its clear to move away.
Check your mirrors for any vehicles that may be confused by you being stationary.
Could it look like you’re parked?
