Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Highway Code - Motorways


Many other Rules apply to motorway driving, either wholly or in part: 
Rules 46, 57, 83-126, 130-134, 139, 144, 146-151, 160, 161, 219, 
221-222, 225, 226-237, 274-278, 280, and 281-290.
      General
253)
Prohibited vehicles. Motorways MUST NOT be used by 
pedestrians, holders of provisional motorcycle or car licences, 
riders of motorcycles under 50 cc, cyclists, horse riders, certain 
slow-moving vehicles and those carrying oversized loads (except 
by special permission), agricultural vehicles, and powered 
wheelchairs/powered mobility scooters (see Rules 36-46 incl).
Laws HA 1980 sects 16, 17 & sch 4, MT(E&W)R 
regs 3(d), 4 & 11, MT(E&W)(A)R, R(S)A sects 7, 8 
& sch 3, RTRA sects 17(2) & (3), & MT(S)R reg 10
254) 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.
      Motorway signals
255)
Motorway signals (see 'Light signals controlling traffic') 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.
256)
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.
257)
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.
258) 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.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10 & 38

      Driving on the motorway
259)
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 he traffic on the motorway and match your speed to
fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand 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 left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of
traffic before considering overtaking.

 On the motorway
260)
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 (see Rule 124)
keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and increase the
gap on wet or icy roads, or in fog (see Rules 126 and 235)
261) You MUST NOT exceed 70 mph (112 km/h), or the maximum speed
limit permitted for your vehicle (see Rule 124). 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. Law RTRA sects 17,
86, 89 & sch 6
262) The monotony of driving on a motorway can make you feel sleepy. To
minimise the risk, follow the advice in Rule 91.
263) 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.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 6,8 & 10 & MT(S)R 
regs 4,5,7 & 9
      Lane discipline
264)
You should always drive in the left-hand lane when the road ahead is
clear. If you are overtaking a number of slower-moving vehicles, you
should return to the left-hand lane as soon as you are safely past.
Slow-moving or speed-restricted vehicles should always remain
in the left-hand 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.
Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5, 9 & 16(1)(a), MT(S)R regs 4, 
8 & 14(1)(a), and RTA 1988, sects 35 & 186, as 
amended by TMA 2004 sect 6.

265) The right-hand 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.
Laws MT(E&W)R reg 12, MT(E&W)AR (2004), MT(S)R reg 11 & 
MT(S)AR (2004)
266) 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.
     Overtaking
267)
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 motor
cyclists. 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.
268) 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 left-hand 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.
269)
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. Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5, 5A & 9, MT(S)R regs 4 & 8
Highway Code - Seat belts and child restraints
 
 Stopping
270)
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. Laws MT(E&W)R regs 5A, 7, 9, 10 & 16,
MT(S)R regs 6(1), 8, 9 & 14, PRA 2002 sect 41 
& sched 5(8), & RTA 1988 Sects 35 & 
163 as amended by TMA 2004, Sect 6
271) You MUST NOT pick up or set down anyone, or walk on a motorway,
except in an emergency. Laws RTRA sect 17 & 
MT(E&W)R reg 15  
    
 Leaving the motorway
272) Unless signs indicate that a lane leads directly off the motorway,
you will normally leave the motorway by a slip road on your left.
You should
watch for the signs letting you know you are getting
near your exit
move into the left-hand lane well before reaching
your exit
signal left in good time and reduce your speed
on the slip road as necessary.
Laws MT(E&W)R reg 12, MT(E&W)AR (2004), MT(S)
R reg 11 & MT(S)AR (2004)
273) On leaving the motorway or using a link road between motorways,
your speed may be higher than you realise - 50 mph may feel like
30 mph. Check your speedometer and adjust your speed
accordingly. Some slip-roads and link roads have sharp bends,
so you will need to slow down.

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