10 driving offences you didnt know were illegal, How to parallel park our video guide to mastering the manoeuvre, How to do a hill start our complete guide for manual and automatic, How to do a three-point turn driving guide, Get 30 driving tips that will save you money, The opposite side of the road is sufficiently clear to safely overtake, Theres a suitable gap in front of the vehicles you plan to overtake, A road user behind isnt attempting to overtake you. If your vehicle is fitted with anti-lock brakes, you should follow the advice given in the vehicle handbook. Make sure you know, understand and act on all other traffic and information signs and road markings (see Traffic signs, Road markings and Vehicle markings). slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights. Give them as much room as you safely can ideally more than you would a car. Your brake lights will warn traffic behind you that you are slowing down. Red lines are used on some roads instead of yellow lines. Rebecca Ashton, IAM RoadSmart Head of Driver Behaviour, said: "Overtaking can be hazardous as it could potentially put you in the path of other vehicles. Be prepared for unexpected or difficult situations, for example, the road being blocked beyond a blind bend. You must not overtake if it means crossing or straddlingthese double solidlines. That could increase to as much as 1,000 if the case goes to court. There is also an exception if you are using a hand-held mobile phone or similar device to make a contactless payment at a contactless payment terminal. They will attract your attention by flashing amber lights. Double yellow lines mean no waiting at any time, unless there are signs that specifically indicate seasonal restrictions. Cycle lanes are shown by road markings and signs. Contrary to section 36(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, Schedule 9 to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. Green studs mark the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads. You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. Under the Highway Code, motorists are advised of a number of situations where they should not overtake another vehicle. You should always. 2023 RAC Motoring Services. or from behind directing you to pull over to the side by pointing and/or using the left indicator. slow down and hold back if a road user pulls out into your path at a junction. On approaching a Pelican crossing you'll see white zigzag lines to indicate a crossing, you'll also notice metal railings along the side of the road. flashing blue lights, headlights or sounding their siren or horn, usually from behind. The definitive answer, Is it illegal to eat and drive? Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. Green/yellow studs show temporary adjustments to lane layouts. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. 50 mph (80 km/h) on single carriageways with known hazards. Remember traffic could be passing on both sides. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less. What happens after I pass my driving test? Laws RVLR regs 3, 24 & 25 (In Scotland - RTRA sect 82 (as amended by NRSWA, para 59 of sched 8)). Laws RTA 1988 sects 34, 41a, 42, 47, 63 & 66, HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A sect 129. You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. Rule 129 of the Highway Code says you must not cross or straddle these lines unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. On some roads there are features such as road humps, chicanes and narrowings which are intended to slow you down. Driving while disqualified by order of court. Or smoke and drive? In order touse smartphone navigation or a mapping app, the phone must be fixed to the windscreen or dashboard (preferably the dashboard as to not impede the driver's view), so its in clear sight for use while driving, without requiring you to hold it. It can reduce driver control because. RAC Insurance Ltd is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. In Scotland it is an offence for anyone aged 18 or over to smoke in a private motor vehicle (unless it is parked and being used as living accommodation) when there is someone under 18 in the vehicle and the vehicle is in a public place. Rule 128 of the Highway Code says you may cross these lines to overtake if it is safe and you can complete the manoeuvre before reaching a solid white line on your side. The line designating a bus lane must be thought of in the same way as a. Get the latest news, reviews and offers to help keep your motoring costs down. If the lights then change to green, do not use your extra momentum to zip past the stationary car - this is illegal. You can also cross over double white lines when the one nearest to you is broken, "provided you can complete the manoeuvre before reaching a solid white line on your side". "Whenever you think about overtaking you should consider the primary hazard, secondary hazards and any possible dynamic hazards before and during the manoeuvre. A broken white line. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right. What happens if I get stuck in floodwater while driving and can I be fined? Drivers should look to see whether there are pedestrians waiting at either side of the road. Ease the pressure off just before the vehicle comes to rest to avoid a jerky stop. You have rejected additional cookies. If I disagree with the offence, is it just my word against theirs? It is an offence not to comply with their directions (see Signals by authorised persons). Unsafe speed increases the chances of causing a collision (or being unable to avoid one), as well as its severity. SITEMAP. The Highway Code clearly states that you must leave any animals in a broken-down vehicle when stranded on the hard shoulder. You should also reduce your speed where country roads enter villages. This term describes a vehicle travelling in neutral or with the clutch pressed down. Using the road (159 to 203) Rules for using the road, including general rules, overtaking, road junctions, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings and reversing. The mobile phone law specifically refers to using your phone as a sat nav, stating it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile to follow a map. For the latest local news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter, Motorists face up to 1,000 fines for breaking white line road marking rule. Drivers can also legally cross the lines to turn into a property or side road as long as it's safe. 11 of the most annoying UK driving habits, Chris Rea on being an F1 mechanic, pancreatic cancer and why he doesn't drive his Ferrari to get a takeaway, From 750 - the 10 best performance cars you actually can afford. Where a single carriageway has four or more lanes, use only the lanes that signs or markings indicate. Laws RTA 1988 sects 2 & 3, & CUR reg 104 & 110, Residential streets. This ban covers all use of a hand-held interactive communication device and it applies even when the interactive communication capability is turned off or unavailable. Thanks. This will help to dry them out. For other inquiries, Contact Us. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. White vs Yellow indicate direction of traffic, white crossing over in lane with same direction your driving, yellow crossing over oncoming traffic. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. White bay markings and upright signs (see below) indicate where parking is allowed. View our online Press Pack. Waiting restrictions indicated by yellow lines apply to the carriageway, pavement and verge. Parking too close to a junction makes it harder for everyone - those approaching the junction have to steer around the car, and those turning into the junction risk driving into an unsighted car on the wrong side of the road. Do not be distracted by maps or screen-based information (such as navigation or vehicle management systems) while driving or riding. For speed limits that apply to special types of vehicles, such as oversized vehicles, see Further reading. UK ROAD MARKINGS AND MEANINGS: What do the arrows, lines, and chevrons mean? If no days are indicated on the signs the restrictions are in force every day including Sundays and Bank Holidays. This section should be read by all drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders. Give way to oncoming road users if directed to do so by signs. 13 driving myths uncovered. How many of THESE dashboard symbols do you recognise in your car? RAC Comprehensive Car Insurance Plus has been given a 5 Star Rating by Defaqto. But if youve got nowhere else to stay, you might consider sleeping in the car instead, at least until youve sobered up. It is far safer not to use any telephone or similar device while you are driving or riding - find a safe place to stop first or use the voicemail facility and listen to messages later. Yellow marks on the kerb or at the edge of the carriageway indicate that loading or unloading is prohibited at the times shown on the nearby black and white plates. 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Never use a hand-held microphone when driving. Then switch off your engine. Drivers are bound to a number of restrictions when it comes to overtaking other vehicles - and you could find yourself slapped with a careless driving charge if you ignore them. I was cited for crossing solid white lines when a lane ended and I was trying to merge over. Vehicles that do not meet these standards MUST NOT be used on roads. Make sure you can stop within the distance you can see to be clear. Motorists have a responsibility to make sure the road ahead is sufficiently clear, they check mirrors and blindspots, and that they move quickly back into the flow of traffic once they have overtaken without cutting in. These are short, broken white lines which are used on wide carriageways to divide them into lanes. White direction arrows on the road indicate that you need to get back onto your side of the road. Get these tips and more useful driving articles sent straight to your inbox now. And of course, motorists should abide by any signage instructing them not to overtake. A box MARKED IN WHITE means that it is available throughout the day.