Learning to drive – highway code rule 281- incidents

Incidents
The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales and is essential reading for everyone.
Rule 281

Warning signs or flashing lights. If you see or hear emergency or incident support vehicles in the distance, be aware there may be an incident ahead (see Rule 219). Police Officers and Highways Agency Traffic Officers may be required to work in the carriageway, for example dealing with debris, collisions or conducting rolling road blocks. Police officers will use rear-facing flashing red and blue lights and HA Traffic Officers will use rear-facing flashing red and amber lights in these situations. Watch out for such signals, slow down and be prepared to stop. You MUST follow any directions given by Police officers or Traffic officers as to whether you can safely pass the incident or blockage.

Learn to drive – highway code rule 202 – reversing

Reversing
The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales and is essential reading for everyone.
Rule 202

Look carefully before you start reversing. You should

use all your mirrors
check the ‘blind spot’ behind you (the part of the road you cannot see easily in the mirrors)
check there are no pedestrians (particularly children), cyclists, other road users or obstructions in the road behind you.
Reverse slowly while

checking all around
looking mainly through the rear window
being aware that the front of your vehicle will swing out as you turn.
Get someone to guide you if you cannot see clearly.

Highway code rule 163 – learn to drive – overtaking

Rule 163

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 (see Rules 211 to 213 and 214 to 215).
Remember: Mirrors – Signal – Manoeuvre

Road studs – cats eyes – driving markings

The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales and is essential reading for everyone.
Rule 132

Reflective road studs may be used with white lines.

White studs mark the lanes or the middle of the road.
Red studs mark the left edge of the road.
Amber studs mark the central reservation of a dual carriageway or motorway.
Green studs mark the edge of the main carriageway at lay-bys and slip roads.
Green/yellow studs indicate temporary adjustments to lane layouts, e.g. where road works are taking place.

Learning to drive – Road works

The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales and is essential reading for everyone.
Rule 288

When the ‘Road Works Ahead’ sign is displayed, you will need to be more watchful and look for additional signs providing more specific instructions. Observe all signs – they are there for your safety and the safety of road workers.

You MUST NOT exceed any temporary maximum speed limit.
Use your mirrors and get into the correct lane for your vehicle in good time and as signs direct.
Take extra care near cyclists and motorcyclists as they are vulnerable to skidding on grit, mud or other debris at road works. Where lanes are restricted due to road works, merge in turn (see Rule 134 ).
Do not drive through an area marked off by traffic cones.
Watch out for traffic entering or leaving the works area, but do not be distracted by what is going on there. Concentrate on the road ahead, not the road works.
Bear in mind that the road ahead may be obstructed by the works or by slow moving or stationary traffic.
Keep a safe distance – there could be queues in front. To obtain further information about road works, see Conversions and further reading.

parking – What the highway code says

Use off-street parking areas, or bays marked out with white lines on the road as parking places, wherever possible. If you have to stop on the roadside

– do not park facing against the traffic flow
– stop as close as you can to the side
– do not stop too close to a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge: remember, the occupant may need more room to get in or out
– you MUST switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights
– you MUST apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle
– you MUST ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door. Check for cyclists or other traffic
– it is safer for your passengers (especially children) to get out of the vehicle on the side next to the kerb put all valuables out of sight and make sure your vehicle is secure
– lock your vehicle.

Breakdowns – highway code rule 274

If your vehicle breaks down, think first of all other road users and

get your vehicle off the road if possible
warn other traffic by using your hazard warning lights if your vehicle is causing an obstruction
help other road users see you by wearing light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility
put a warning triangle on the road at least 45 metres (147 feet) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road, or use other permitted warning devices if you have them. Always take great care when placing or retrieving them, but never use them on motorways
if possible, keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor
do not stand (or let anybody else stand) between your vehicle and oncoming traffic
at night or in poor visibility do not stand where you will prevent other road users seeing your lights.

Hot weather

The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales and is essential reading for everyone.

Rule 237

Keep your vehicle well ventilated to avoid drowsiness. Be aware that the road surface may become soft or if it rains after a dry spell it may become slippery. These conditions could affect your steering and braking. If you are dazzled by bright sunlight, slow down and if necessary, stop.

Mirrors

The Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales and is essential reading for everyone.
Rule 161

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