Using the Road Flashcards
What should you do when moving off?
Before moving off you should
● use all mirrors to check the road is clear
● look round to check the blind spots (the areas you are unable to see in the mirrors)
● signal if necessary before moving out
● look round for a final check.
Move off only when it is safe to do so.
What should you do once moving?
Once moving you should
● keep to the left, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise. The exceptions are when you want to overtake, turn right or pass parked vehicles or pedestrians in the road
● keep well to the left on righthand bends. This will improve your view of the road and help avoid the risk of colliding with traffic approaching from the opposite direction
● drive with both hands on the wheel where possible. This will help you to remain in full control of the vehicle at all times
● be aware of other road users, especially cycles and
motorcycles who may be filtering through the traffic. These are more difficult to see than larger vehicles and their riders are particularly vulnerable. Give them plenty of room, especially if you are driving a long vehicle or towing a trailer
● select a lower gear before you reach a long downhill slope. This will help to control your speed
● when towing, remember the extra length will affect overtaking and manoeuvring. The extra weight will also affect the braking and acceleration.
How should you use your mirrors?
Mirrors. All mirrors should be used effectively throughout your journey. You should
● use your mirrors frequently so that you always know what is behind and to each side of you
● use them in good time before you signal or change direction or speed
● be aware that mirrors do not cover all areas and there will be blind spots.
You will need to look round and check.
Remember: Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre
What should you do before overtaking?
Before overtaking you should make sure
● the road is sufficiently clear ahead
● road users are not beginning to overtake you
● there is a suitable gap in front of the road user you plan to overtake.
When should you overtake?
Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should
● not get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtake
● use your mirrors, signal when it is safe to do so, take a quick sideways glance if necessary into the blind spot area and then start to move out
● not assume that you can simply follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking; there may only be enough room for one vehicle
● move quickly past the vehicle you are overtaking, once you have started to overtake. Allow plenty of room. Move back to the left as soon as you can but do not cut in
● take extra care at night and in poor visibility when it is
harder to judge speed and distance
● give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked
vehicles or other obstructions on your side of the road
● only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room to do so
● stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left
● give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car
Remember: Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre
What should you do when overtaking large vehicles?
Overtaking these is more difficult. You should
● drop back. This will increase your ability to see ahead and should allow the driver of the large vehicle to see you in their mirrors. Getting too close to large vehicles, including agricultural vehicles such as a tractor with a trailer or other fixed equipment, will obscure your view of the road ahead and there may be another slowmoving vehicle in front
● make sure that you have enough room to complete your overtaking manoeuvre before committing yourself. It takes longer to pass a large vehicle. If in doubt do not overtake
● not assume you can follow a vehicle ahead which is overtaking a long vehicle. If a problem develops, they may abort overtaking and pull back in.
When should you NOT overtake?
You MUST NOT overtake
● if you would have to cross or straddle double white lines with a solid line nearest to you
● if you would have to enter an area designed to divide traffic, if it is surrounded by a solid white line
● the nearest vehicle to a pedestrian crossing, especially when it has stopped to let pedestrians cross
● if you would have to enter a lane reserved for buses, trams or cycles during its hours of operation
● after a ‘No Overtaking’ sign and until you pass a sign
cancelling the restriction.
Gives examples of moments of doubt where you shouldn’t overtake
DO NOT overtake if there is any doubt, or where you cannot see far enough ahead to be sure it is safe. For example, when you are approaching
● a corner or bend
● a hump bridge
● the brow of a hill.
Give examples of moments where you could come into conflict with other road users so shouldn’t overtake
DO NOT overtake where you might come into conflict with other road users. For example
● approaching or at a road junction on either side of the road
● where the road narrows
● when approaching a school crossing patrol
● between the kerb and a bus or tram when it is at a stop
● where traffic is queuing at junctions or road works
● when you would force another road user to swerve or slow down
● at a level crossing
● when a road user is indicating right, even if you believe the signal should have been cancelled. Do not take a risk; wait for the signal to be cancelled
● stay behind if you are following a cyclist approaching a
roundabout or junction, and you intend to turn left
● when a tram is standing at a kerbside tram stop and there is no clearly marked passing lane for other traffic.
What should you do when being overtaken?
Being overtaken. If a driver is trying to overtake you, maintain a steady course and speed, slowing down if necessary to let the vehicle pass.
Never obstruct drivers who wish to pass. Speeding up or driving unpredictably while someone is overtaking you is dangerous. Drop back to maintain a twosecond gap if someone overtakes and pulls into the gap in front of you.
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slowmoving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.
How should you handle junctions?
Take extra care at junctions. You should
● Watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists, powered
wheelchairs/mobility scooters and pedestrians as they are not always easy to see. Be aware that they may not have seen or heard you if you are approaching from behind
● Watch out for pedestrians crossing a road into which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way
● watch out for long vehicles which may be turning at a junction ahead; they may have to use the whole width of the road to make the turn
● watch out for horse riders who may take a different line on the road from that which you would expect
● Not assume, when waiting at a junction, that a vehicle
coming from the right and signalling left will actually turn.
Wait and make sure
● Look all around before emerging. Do not cross or join a road until there is a gap large enough for you to do so safely.
What MUST you do at junctions?
You MUST stop behind the line at a junction with a ‘Stop’ sign and a solid white line across the road. Wait for a safe gap in the traffic before you move off.
The approach to a junction may have a ‘Give Way’ sign or a triangle marked on the road. You MUST give way to traffic on the main road when emerging from a junction with broken white lines across the road.
How should you handle junctions on a dual carriageway?
When crossing or turning right, first assess whether the central reservation is deep enough to protect the full length of your vehicle.
● If it is, then you should treat each half of the carriageway as a separate road. Wait in the central reservation until there is a safe gap in the traffic on the second half of the road.
● If the central reservation is too shallow for the length of your vehicle, wait until you can cross both carriageways in one go.
How should you handle box junctions?
These have crisscross yellow lines painted on the road
You MUST NOT enter the box until your exit road or lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.
At signalled roundabouts you MUST NOT enter the box unless you can cross over it completely without stopping
How should you handle junctions controlled by traffic lights?
You MUST stop behind the white ‘Stop’ line across your side of the road unless the light is green. If the amber light appears you may go on only if you have already crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to stop might cause a collision.
You MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing. Only go forward when the traffic lights are green if there is room for you to clear the junction safely or you are taking up a position to turn right.
If the traffic lights are not working, treat the situation as you would an unmarked junction and proceed with great care.