Rules of the Road Flashcards
Are all the road rules legal requirements?
No, some are recommended best practicses
What is the purpose of road rules?
Makes the streets safer
What is the ruling on speed limits?
You MUST NOT exceed the speed limits shown for the road you’re on or your vehicle
What speed limit should you abide by if no limit is shown?
The national speed limit
What s the national speed limit for cars and motorcycles?
60 mph (96 km/h) on single carriageway
70 mph (112 km/h) on dual carriageway/motorway
What is the lower speed limits that apply to vehicles towing a trailer or carriageway?
50 mph (80 km/h) on single carriageways
60 mph (96km/h) on dual carriageway/motorway
What do street lights indicate speed wise?
30 mph (48 km/h) for all vehicles unless signs indicate otherwise
What should your speed be if a minimum speed limit is shown on a road?
Travel above the limit unless unsafe to do so
What should you do in regards to speed, when on roads with parked cars?
Keep speed down
What should you beware of when on roads with parked cars?
Pedestrians (esp. children) emerging behind or between parked vehicles
Vehicles pulling out
Drivers’ doors opening
What should you do at roadworks - speed wise?
Obey all signs indicating temporary speed limits
Some lanes are reserved by specific vehicles. When are these restrictions in place?
During the lanes’ hours of operation
What can’t you do in a cycle lane?
Never drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its operation hours.
Don’t drive or park in a cycle lane marked a broken line unless unavoidable
When can you drive over a footpath?
To gain access to a property
What is the right-hand lane for on a dual carriageway?
Only for turning right or overtaking
What does the ‘right-hand’ rule on dual carriageways also apply to?
Three-lane dual carriageways
How should you approach a junction?
Move into the appropriate position in good time
What should you do if you want to turn left on a junction?
Keep well to the left, as you approach the junction
What do you do when turning right at a crossroads, and an oncoming driver is also turning right?
It’s safest to keep the other vehicle to your right, and turn behind it.
If you have to pass in front, take extra care as your view may be obscured
When can you enter a box junction?
If your exit road is clear
When can you wait in a box junction?
If you want to turn right, but are prevented from doing so by oncoming traffic
How can you identify a box junction?
Yellow hatched lines
Who has priority at a crossroad where there’s no signs or markings?
Nobody - Check all directions carefully before proceeding
What are roundabouts designed for?
Aid the flow of traffic
What should you do when using a roadabout?
Follow signs and road markings as you approach and negotiate these.
What should you do when trying to go straight on a roundabout?
Don’t signal as you approach
Signal left before you leave the roundabout, just after you pass the exit before the one you want
Who may not follow the normal rules of a roundabout?
Horse riders/Cyclists
Long vehicles
Why do horse riders/cyclists not follow normal roundabout rules?
They may stay in the left-hand lane even if turning right, for better safety
Why do long vehicles not follow the normal roundabout rules?
They may take up a different position to stop the rear of the vehicle from hitting the kerb
What should you consider when overtaking?
Do you really need to overtake?
When should you not overtake?
If you have any doubt whether it’s safe to overtake
Where should you overtake normally?
On the right
When can you overtake on either side?
One way street
Why should you be careful of when overtaking on a dual carriageway?
The right-hand lane is also used for traffic turning right
What should you do if you’re travelling on a busy road and find yourself either travelling in the wrong direction or in the wrong lane at a busy junction?
Keep going until you can find somewhere safe (e.g. quiet safe road) to turn around
What are the two rules of reversing?
Don’t reverse longer than necessary
Don’t reverse from a side road into a main road
What should you do when reversing into a side road?
Always check road and traffic conditions in all directions
Can you remove your seat belt when reversing?
Yes, if it helps you get a better view
What should you do if you aren’t sure if it’s safe to reverse?
Get out and check before reversing
What is the greatest hazard to passing traffic?
When the front of your vehicle swings out
What should you do if someone is standing on the pavement, waiting to cross at a zebra crossing?
Stop (as long as it’s safe to do so) and let them cross
What is so special about pelican crossings?
They’re light controlled. When the red light changes to flashing amber, wait for any pedestrians to get clear of the crossing before moving off.
What is so special about toucan crossings?
Cyclists are allowed to cycle across at the same time pedestrians walk.
What is a level crossing?
Where a railway crosses the road
What identifies a hidden level crossing?
Countdown markers may warn you if the crossing is hidden, e.g. round a bend.
What do you do when the warning lights come on as you’re approaching a level crossing?
Stop
What do you do if you’re already on the level crossing when the warning lights come on or a bell rings?
Keep going, and clear the crossing
What do you do if you’re waiting at a level crossing, a train has passed but the red lights keep flashing?
Wait. There may be another train.
Where is the safest place to park your vehicle?
In a garage
Where is a safe place to park if you’re away from home?
A secure car park or well-lt area
What must you do if you need to park on the side of a road?
MUST leave your sidelights on if speed limits > 30
Where should you park on the side of the road?
Left hand side so other road users can see your reflectors, but on either side on a one-way street
Can you stop on a clearway?
NEVER!!!
When can you stop on a clearway?
On an urban clearway/road marked with double-white lines, only to set down or pick up passengers
Where can’t you park?
Places where you would cause a danger or obstruction to others
Which places may you cause a danger/obstruction to others? (6)
On/Near the brow of a hill
At a bus stop
Opposite a traffic island
In front of someone else’s driveway
Near a school entrance
Within 10m of a junction (in NI, within 15m)
Where should you not cause an obstruction by parking?
Where there’s restrictions e.g. yellow lines and associated signs
What’s an controlled parking zone?
Place where you have to pay to park
Park within marked bays n the days and times shown on the zone entry signs
When can you park in a disabled space?
If you or your passenger are a disabled badge holder - display your badge when you leave
What is the law on smoking in October 2015?
1 October 2015 - illegal to smoke in private enclosed vehicle if occupants within are under 18
What does the October 2015 law mean?
Illegal for person of any age to smoke in a private vehicle that’s carrying someone under 18
For a driver to not stop someone smoking if someone’s under 18
Does the October 2015 law apply to e-cigarettes?
No
What do I do if there’s an obstruction on my side of the road?
Give way to on-coming traffic if there isn’t room for both of you to continue safely
On a dual carriageway, if a sign warns that my lane will close 800 yards ahead, when should I move over?
Move to another lane in good time - don’t leave it to the last minute
What do I do if I want to turn right onto a dual carriageway that has a narrow central reservation?
Wait until traffic is clear in both directions or you’ll obstruct traffic coming from your right
I’m following a slow-moving vehicle. I want to overtake but it’s been signalling right for some time. What should I do?
Wait for the signal to be cancelled before overtaking. The other driver may have misjudged the distance to a road junction or there may be a hidden hazard
I’m on a road that’s only wide enough for one vehicle, and there’s a car coming towards me. What do I do?
Pull into a passing place on your left, or if the nearing passing plase is on your right, wait opposite it
How can brake lights give signals to other drivers?
Brake lights show traffic behind that you’re slowing down
At night, if a car overtakes me, when should I dip my headlights?
Dip your lights as soon as the car passes you or your lights could dazzle the other driver
Are there times when I must stop, by law?
When involved in an incident
At a red traffic light
At ‘stop’ signs or lines
When signalled to do so by a police officer/traffic officer/school crossing patrol
In a well-lit built area, can I drive using sidelights only?
Recommended that you use dipped headlights so that you can be easily seen by others.
