Motorways Flashcards
Which vehicles are prohibited on motorways?
Motorways MUST NOT be used by pedestrians, holders of provisional motorcycle or car licences, riders of motorcycles under 50 cc, cyclists, horse riders, certain slowmoving vehicles and those carrying oversized loads (except by special permission), agricultural vehicles, and powered wheelchairs/powered mobility scooters
What is traffic like on motorways?
Traffic on motorways usually travels faster than on other roads, so you have less time to react. It is especially important to use your mirrors earlier and look much further ahead than you would on other roads.
What are motorway signals used for?
Motorway signals are used to warn you of a danger ahead. For example, there may be an incident, fog, a spillage or road workers on the carriageway which you may not immediately be able to see.
Signals situated on the central reservation apply to all lanes. On very busy stretches, signals may be overhead with a separate signal for each lane.
What are amber flashing lights on the motorway used for?
Amber flashing lights. These warn of a hazard ahead. The signal may show a temporary maximum speed limit, lanes that are closed or a message such as ‘Fog’. Adjust your speed and look out for the danger until you pass a signal which is not flashing or one that gives the ‘All clear’ sign and you are sure it is safe to increase your speed.
What red flashing lights on the motorway used for?
Red flashing lights. If red lights on the overhead signals flash above your lane and a red ‘X’ is showing, you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in that lane. If red lights flash on a signal in the central reservation or at the side of the road, you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in any lane.
What should you do when joining the motorway?
When you join the motorway you will normally approach it from a road on the left (a slip road) or from
an adjoining motorway. You should
● give priority to traffic already on the motorway
● check the traffic on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the lefthand lane
● not cross solid white lines that separate lanes or use the hard shoulder
● stay on the slip road if it continues as an extra lane on the motorway
● remain in the lefthand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of traffic before considering overtaking.
What should you do on the motorway?
When you can see well ahead and the road conditions are good, you should
● drive at a steady cruising speed which you and your vehicle can handle safely and is within the speed limit
● keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and increase the gap on wet or icy roads, or in fog
What must you NOT DO on the motorway?
You MUST NOT exceed 70 mph (112 km/h), or the maximum speed limit permitted for your vehicle. If a lower speed limit is in force, either permanently or temporarily, at road works for example, you MUST NOT exceed the lower limit. On some motorways, mandatory motorway signals (which display the speed within a red ring) are used to vary the maximum speed limit to improve traffic flow. You MUST NOT exceed this speed limit.
The monotony of driving on a motorway can make you feel sleepy. To minimise the risk, follow the advice in Rule 91.
You MUST NOT reverse, cross the central reservation, or drive against the traffic flow. If you have missed your exit, or have taken the wrong route, carry on to the next exit.
Which lane should you always drive on?
You should always drive in the lefthand lane when the road ahead is clear. If you are overtaking a number of slowermoving vehicles, you should return to the lefthand lane as soon as you are safely past. Slowmoving or speedrestricted vehicles should always remain in the lefthand lane of the carriageway unless overtaking. You MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency or if directed to do so by the police, HA traffic officers in uniform or by signs.
Who is prohibited from using some lanes on the motorway?
The righthand lane of a motorway with three or more
lanes MUST NOT be used (except in prescribed circumstances) if you are driving
● any vehicle drawing a trailer
● a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 3.5
tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter
● a goods vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes
● a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver
● a passenger vehicle with a maximum laden weight not exceeding 7.5 tonnes which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter.
What should you do when approaching a junction on a motorway?
Approaching a junction. Look well ahead for signals or signs. Direction signs may be placed over the road. If you need to change lanes, do so in good time. At some junctions a lane may lead directly off the motorway. Only get in that lane if you wish to go in the direction indicated on the overhead signs.
What are the rules about overtaking on the motorway?
Do not overtake unless you are sure it is safe and legal to do so. Overtake only on the right. You should
● check your mirrors
● take time to judge the speeds correctly
● make sure that the lane you will be joining is sufficiently
clear ahead and behind
● take a quick sideways glance into the blind spot area to
verify the position of a vehicle that may have disappeared from your view in the mirror
● remember that traffic may be coming up behind you very quickly. Check all your mirrors carefully. Look out for motorcyclists. When it is safe to do so, signal in plenty of time, then move out
● ensure you do not cut in on the vehicle you have overtaken
● be especially careful at night and in poor visibility when it is
harder to judge speed and distance.
Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in lefthand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic in the lane to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake.
What are the rules about hard shoulder’s on a motorway?
Hard shoulder. You MUST NOT use the hard shoulder for overtaking. In areas where an Active Traffic Management (ATM) Scheme is in force, the hard shoulder may be used as a running lane.
You will know when you can use this because a speed limit sign will be shown above all open lanes, including the hard shoulder.
A red cross or blank sign above the hard shoulder means that you MUST NOT drive on the hard shoulder except in an emergency or breakdown. Emergency refuge areas have also been built into these areas for use in cases of emergency or breakdown.
What are the rules about stopping on a motorway?
You MUST NOT stop on the carriageway, hard shoulder, slip road, central reservation or verge except in an emergency, or when told to do so by the police, HA traffic officers in uniform, an emergency sign or by flashing red light signals. Do not stop on the hard shoulder to either make or receive mobile phone calls.
What else must you NOT do on a motorway?
You MUST NOT pick up or set down anyone, or walk on a motorway, except in an emergency.
