Rules Of The Road

Common Rules of the road

Best-Breakdown

Offer some tips about rules of the road for your safety as well as any passengers, the following information is a breakdown of any problems about joining and leaving the motorway

Joining the motorway

When you enter the motorway, exercise care and attention, and yield to traffic on the motorway. You must follow the steps below when joining a motorway:

Use the fast lane to build up your speed before joining traffic on the motorway
Give early signals to let other motorists be aware that you are intending to merge
On approaching, on the slip-road, check your mirrors as well as your blind spot for a safe gap in the traffic in the left-hand lane of the motorway
Give particular attention to road-signs and road markings
Don’t drive on hatch markings before merging into traffic on the motorway
Let traffic already on the motorway pass before entering
Adjust speed as you near the motorway, as close as possible to the general traffic in that lane

On the motorway

Once you are on the motorway you must drive ahead, No turning or reversing is allowed
You must keep to the speed limit and not interfere with other traffic
You should not stop or park on the motorway unless in the case of an emergency (including the hard shoulder)
You should not pick up hitch-hikers or drop anyone off on a motorway this also includes the slip road as this is part of the motorway
You must not signal other drivers coming in the opposite direction by flashing your lights.
You should signal when changing lanes to let other motorists be aware of your intentions

Using lanes properly

It is important that you fully understand the purpose of each lane on a motorway. Best-Breakdown gives you a breakdown on best practice:

Lane 1 (Nearest to the hard shoulder)

This is also known as the inside lane On a two-lane motorway, the lane nearest the central median is lane 2 (also known as the outside lane) On a three-lane motorway this lane is lane 3

Lane 1

The normal ‘keep left’ rule applies. Stay in this lane unless you are overtaking.

Lane 2

On a two-lane motorway, use this for overtaking purposes and then move back into lane 1 when you have finished. You can also use this lane to accommodate traffic entering from the left.

On a three-lane motorway, you can also stay in the centre lane whilst there is slower moving traffic in lane 1

Lane 3

If you are proceeding on a three-lane motorway, you must only use this lane only if traffic in lanes 1 and 2 is moving in queues and you need to overtake or accommodate merging traffic. Once you’ve completed overtaking, move back to your left and allow faster traffic coming from behind to pass by.

You must not use the lane nearest the central median (lane 2 or lane 3, depending on the motorway width) if you are driving:

a goods vehicle with a design gross vehicle weight of more than 3,500 kilograms,
a passenger vehicle with seating for more than 8 passengers (aside from the driver), or
a vehicle towing a trailer, horsebox or caravan.

You may use it, however, in exceptional circumstances when you cannot proceed in the inner lane because of a blockage ahead. You may also use it if you are at a location on a motorway where a speed limit of 80km/h or less applies.

Keeping your distance

It is extremely important that you don’t exceed the speed limit this protects you and your family it is also important to keep a safe distance whilst you drive. Driving too close to other vehicles’ hampers your ability to stop safely and also reduces your vision further ahead. 2 second gap rule landmark

Signaling

Once you are on the motorway, it is best practice to signal before every move to another lane this protects you as well as other motorists paying particular attention to blind spots

Checking traffic around you

Always check mirrors regularly, and especially when moving from lane to lane
Avoid driving in other motorists blind spots’. Constantly keep your eyes moving and avoid looking only at the vehicle in front of you.
Before you change lane, remember mirror, signal, and manoeuvre
Avoid causing other motorists to brake or change lanes to accommodate you while you are on the motorway (apart from joining)
A vehicle that is flashing the right indicator is trying to let you know that they are catching you or intends to overtake your vehicle

Overtaking

Overtake only on the right, unless traffic is travelling in slow moving queues and the traffic queue on your right is travelling more slowly than you are. If you intend to move from a slower lane to a faster lane, adjust your speed first.

Before you start to overtake, remember ‘mirror, signal, mirror, manoeuvre’, and look in your blind spots. Check that the way is clear (behind and ahead) and signal well in advance about your intentions

Traffic on the motorway is travelling at a much quicker speeds than on ordinary roads. Be particularly careful at dusk, during darkness, and in poor weather conditions when it is more difficult to judge speed, distance and stopping distance. Signal and return to your original lane as soon as possible.

Leaving the motorway

The following signs below show the distance to the next exit on a motorway. Use the relevant sign to judge your distance so you can get into the lane you require

yards

Stopping and parking in a motorway

You are only allowed to stop/park on the motorway when:
Your vehicle breaks down
Police signals you to do so (pull over to the hard-shoulder in a safe manner)
When there is an emergency such as a crash/accident
If there are any roadwork’s in place

What to do if your vehicle breaks down on a motorway

Turn on your hazard warning lights
Move your vehicle as soon as possible to the hard shoulder, if you cannot do this, take whatever necessary steps you can to warn other drivers of its presence.
Always exit out of your vehicle from the passenger side. Do not attempt to walk on the motorway.
Get help quickly and do not leave your vehicle unattended for longer than necessary. Wait for help on the embankment side of the motorway.
If you are driving a heavy goods vehicle or bus, display your warning triangle.
Use the roadside telephone or a mobile phone to inform the Police.
When rejoining the motorway, build up your speed first on the hard shoulder.
Watch for a safe gap in the traffic before rejoining it.