Road and Traffic Signs Flashcards
Red circular signs
Red circular road signs you must DO AS THEY STATE
Blue circular road signs
Blue circular road signs PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS
Red triangular road signs
Red triangular road signs GIVE WARNINGS
Give Way
The ONLY red upside down triangular road sign means GIVE WAY
Blue rectangular signs
Blue rectangular road signs provide information. They also provide directions on motorways
Brown rectangular signs
Brown rectangular road signs provide tourist information
White rectangular signs
White rectangular road signs provide directions for non-primary routes and additional information for warning signs
Speed limit signs
Indicate compulsory maximum speed limits
National speed limit
Applies on motorways and some dual carriageways. The maximum speed limit for cars is 70mph. If you are towing a caravan or trailer, the national speed limit is reduced.
Temporary speed limit signs
Can be found where there are roadworks
20mph zones
Can be found in narrow residential streets. They are normally combined with traffic calming measures such as speed humps
Arm signals…
Are used to make intentions clear to other road users. Road users normally do this if their indicators are not visible or clearly seen. If you intend to turn right, put your right arm out. If you intend to turn left, put your right arm out and move it in a forwards circular motion. If you’re stopping, move your right arm up and down.
Police Arm Signals
The police use arm signals when directing traffic. When both arms are up traffic in front and behind will need to stop. When one are is raised above the head then stop traffic in front. When the arm is only raised at a perpendicular angle then you should stop the traffic behind
How would a police car signal you to pull over?
Indicate, flash their headlights to get your attention, and probably point over to the side so you can see them telling you to move over in your rear view mirror.
Use of your horn
You CANNOT use your horn between 11:30pm and 7am if you are in built up areas.
Indicating
Indicators should only be used when turning, or as hazard lights to warn others of a hazard ahead. If you need to pull over just past a junction, make sure you indicate AFTER the junction so you don’t confuse road users.
T-junctions
If a vehicle is signalling to turn into a junction, wait until they have started to turn to ensure they are definitely turning.
Bus contraflow systems
This sign means that you’re entering a one way street, but there is a bus lane in the opposite direction
Lanes on a motorway
The left hand lane is for normal driving. The right hand lane is for overtaking only
Road marking
Solid white lines mark the edge of the carriageway. They help you to see the edge of the carriageway in the dark. 2 solid white lines in the middle means that you should not overtake, unless there is a maintenance vehicle moving less than 10mph in front of you. Dashed lines are lane dividers. If the lines become longer, and the gaps shorter, they warn you there is a hazard ahead
Road markings
Red and white hatched markings are used to separate traffic travelling in opposite directions. They are normally found on sharp bends or narrow roads. When there is a curved arrow overtaking drivers need to move back into their own lane. DO NOT park on zig-zag road markings.
Box junctions
Are used to keep junctions clear. Only enter if your exit is clear. Only wait in one if oncoming traffic is the only thing preventing you from turning.
Give way triangles on the road
Give way to traffic on the main road.
Mini roundabouts
Have a single give way line, but have directional arrows showing you the direction traffic travels in. Always give way to the RIGHT.
Speed humps
Triangles are used to make the speed humps easier to see.
traffic light sequence
Red, red and amber, green, amber, red
traffic light shaped like letter L but going left with green arrow pointing left
If you are in the left hand lane, wait until the green arrow shows
How are tram instructions shown
Tram instructions can also be shown on traffic lights. Their instructions are shown in grey and white symbols.
Red flashing lights can be found at…
Fire stations, level crossings, lifting bridges. When lights are flashing STOP
What is the national speed limit
The national speed limit, on a motorway, for cars and motorcycles is 70mph.
Temporary speed limit
They will have a black background with a white number in the middle with orange circles at each corner which will be flashing
Temporary speed limit sign
Hard shoulders can sometimes be used as an additional lane
How do you know when the temporary speed limit has ended?
Temporary speed limit signs will read ‘End’ when the national speed limit applies again
What should you do if there is a red cross displayed?
DO NOT travel in that lane
What should you do if red crosses are displayed above all lanes?
You MUST STOP
When should you stop on the motorway
Only stop on a motorway if asked to do so by police, traffic officers or if you have a breakdown or emergency
Straight arrow pointing to the bottom left orange circle
You must move over to the left
Two straight lines and letter T to the right
The right hand lane is closing ahead
A bent arrow pointing left
You must leave the motorway at the next exit.
Motorway sign with red line through it
You have reached the end of the motorway
Countdown markers tell you how far until the next exit
3 white lines, two white lines, one white line
