UAE Road Traffic Rules and Regulations PDF

1.1 Traffic Rules Road traffic has increased exponentially in the UAE. Vehicles and pedestrians are found almost everywhere throughout the seven Emirates. It is therefore absolutely necessary to have uniform rules and regulations and that road users comply with these rules. Traffic laws an...

1.1 Traffic Rules Road traffic has increased exponentially in the UAE. Vehicles and pedestrians are found almost everywhere throughout the seven Emirates. It is therefore absolutely necessary to have uniform rules and regulations and that road users comply with these rules. Traffic laws and road rules have been under development internationally since the motoring was in its infancy at the beginning of the last century. Today you will find signs, rules and regulations that have been harmonised and approved internationally. Traffic laws govern how a road should be marked and signed, how vehicles should be equipped and perform and how the driver should behave in different situations. To guide road users towards Rules, road Before obtaining your correct behaviour on the traffic signs and driving licence, it is roads, and help the police road markings important that you learn and judiciary to determine regulate traffic and understand the who is right and who is signs, road markings and wrong in the event of an Without these it would not traffic rules accident, a set of traffic be possible for traffic to rules has been incorporated move freely on the roads. Some of the signs and into Federal Law. lines shown here are not In the UAE, work is still in yet common in the UAE. Knowledge of these rules progress on the combining However, with the rapid is, of course, essential for of Federal Law and traffic expansion of traffic and the every driver so that he or rules so that international road network, they will soon she will not break them and regional rules may be become part of our traffic out of carelessness or followed in daily practice. system. In the meantime, ignorance exposing you will need to be familiar others to a risk. with them if you plan on driving to another country. REGULATING THE ROADS 013 1.2 Road traffic signs 1.2.1 Traffic sign groups The purpose of road Road traffic signs are traffic signs is to convey an essential part of any Symbols are used as information. There are traffic system. much as possible, warning signs, prohibitive because they are more signs, regulatory signs They tell you about the rules easily recognised, and direction signs, all of you must obey and warn you understood and can which give you important about the hazards you may be standardised, information about the road meet on the road ahead. irrespective of language. you are driving on. Signs may be in the form of words or symbols on panels, The municipality decides road markings, beacons, You will recognise traffic exactly what signs and bollards or traffic lights. signs more easily if you where they are to set up. This section deals with the understand the shape and To make things easier for various types of traffic sign colour of the six main groups drivers, each sign has a and their meaning. or categories. distinctive combination of shape, colour and symbol. To do its job effectively, a sign must communicate Since we drive on the right its message clearly and hand side of the road, most early enough for you to of the road-signs directing see and understand it and the traffic are placed on act accordingly. the right side. Some of the signs appear on the left side also where they are more suitable. 014 REGULATING THE ROADS These are: Warning signs, Regulatory signs, Supplementary signs, triangular in shape, circular in shape rectangular in which offer a caution and blue in colour, shape and mainly which give positive the same colour as instructions the primary sign Mandatory signs Prohibitive signs, Direction signs, Temporary signs, circular in shape and rectangular in shape, on an red in colour, which which inform, give orange background prohibit and restrict positive instructions and local directions All drivers must be familiar Learn the different groups or categories of signs first; this will with every traffic sign make it much easier to remember the individual signs later on. currently in use. You will find them illustrated in the appendix for Road Traffic Signs. REGULATING THE ROADS 015 1.3 Road markings Road markings are used to Road markings appear as qualify and clarify the rules lines, continuous or broken, and regulations enacted painted along or across the from Federal Law. They may carriageway. In addition to warn of a danger; they may lines, you will encounter divide the road into different arrows, studs, symbols and lanes; they may separate text messages. a motor vehicle lane from a cycle track or pedestrian A broken line functions way; or they may signal as a recommendation, some sort of prohibition. as a warning or as a guide for road users. Their advantage is that they Drivers must be familiar with can easily be seen when Continuous lines all types of road markings. other signs are hidden by are prohibitive lines. traffic and they can give a Crossing or straddling a You will find them continuing message as you continuous line dividing illustrated in the appendix drive along the road. two lanes is prohibited. Road Markings. As a general rule, the more paint, the more important the message. 016 REGULATING THE ROADS 1.4 Basic positioning 1.4.1 Right-hand traffic 1.4.2 Basic positioning 1.4.3 Basic positioning when continuing when turning right straight ahead On two way traffic roads Wherever possible, get into Drivers intending to a vehicle should be driven the right-hand lane if you turn right should keep in the lane furthest to the intend to continue in the their vehicles as close right, as seen from the direction you are traveling. to the right-hand edge direction of travel. At or just before the junction of the carriageway you will have to keep to as is appropriate for Keep to the right, leaving the right, even though you traffic conditions. plenty of space for any fast- may have to negotiate moving vehicles. with parked cars. Position your car and turn off, keeping as far to the Always try to position your right as possible. This not car so that you can handle only makes it easier for the unexpected overtaking vehicles on your left but and sudden meetings also prevents drivers from with oncoming traffic with creeping up on your right. maximum safety. After turning off, position yourself as appropriate for Overtaking and meetings with your ongoing itinerary. oncoming vehicles always involve an element of risk. If It goes without saying that, visibility is poor, as it may be in streets with two-way if your view is obscured by traffic with just one lane in a hill or a bend in the road, each direction, you must or if you are driving at night keep well to the right so as or in fog or rain, the risk is to allow plenty of room for greatly enhanced. oncoming traffic. REGULATING THE ROADS 017 1.4 Basic positioning 1.4.4 Basic positioning 1.4.5 Oncoming traffic when turning left Drivers intending to turn left On a good wide road with Mistakes are easily made on two-way roads should little traffic, oncoming traffic with a general tendency for keep their vehicles close to should normally present drivers to judge the meeting the centre-line no problem. The narrower point between their two the road is, the greater the vehicles as being further Before turning left, it is risk of an accident involving away than it actually is. essential to check the road two vehicles traveling in Other common mistakes in both directions. When opposite directions. are to assume the meeting you turn left you must give point is at a spot halfway way to all oncoming traffic. If possible and suitable, between the two vehicles. Of The law clearly states that one driver on a narrow road course, this can be true only turning left at a junction must stop and wait for the if both the vehicles happen is permissible only if you oncoming vehicle. Vehicles to be traveling at exactly can turn safely without on the same side of the road the same speed. obstruction to the oncoming as an obstacle up ahead traffic and vehicles coming must give way to vehicles up from behind. approaching from the opposite direction. 018 REGULATING THE ROADS Some situations you may 1.4.6 Distance to the car in front of you encounter on the road: 1. A car may start to overtake a string of vehicles approaching from the other direction. Action: Keep to the right, slow down and flash your headlights. 2. Encountering a vehicle coming towards you on the wrong lane, which is considered an unpleasant experience. Action: Hold your brakes firmly, flash your headlights repeatedly, and use the horn. You may As drivers tend not to keep need to steer your their distance and queues vehicle to the right as often build up in city traffic, a last resort. the risk of collision in such conditions can be high. 3. You encounter several Not only does driving close heavy vehicles at the behind another vehicle raise top of a hill. One of the the risk of an accident, but drivers behind may risk your view of the road ahead overtaking before is also obscured and driving you reach the top. will not be smooth. If you Action: Be ready to have another vehicle so steer to the right, slow close on your tail that you down and flash your fear it will run into you from headlights. behind, slow down slightly so as to increase your safety 4. An oncoming car gets margin with the vehicle into a skid. Action: ahead of you. Slow down, keep well clear, don’t slam on the brakes. As a last resort, you may have to steer off the road. REGULATING THE ROADS 019 1.5 Rules of the Road 1.5.1 The Left Hand Rule: 1.5.2 The Main Road or 1.5.3 The Exit or Vehicle approaching Priority Road Rule Entering Rule from the left At road junctions and The Left hand rule does not You must give way to all intersections not controlled apply where a Give Way or other traffic whenever you by traffic lights or road Stop sign is present. exit a parking lot, a petrol markings, priority must station, a residential area, be given to vehicles Entering a primary road, a pedestrian way, the hard approaching from the left. priority road, main road or an shoulder, or enter from an This also applies in parking asphalt road from a gravel road, Off-Road area. lots and public areas, etc. you must give way or stop to traffic approaching from both This is known as the Exit or left and right. Entering Rule. This is known as the Main Road Rule or the Priority Road Rule 1.5.4 The Turning Rule When turning left at a crossroads, you must give way, not only to oncoming motor vehicles, but also to any pedestrians who may cross your path. This is known as the turning rule. 020 REGULATING THE ROADS 1.5.5 The Obstruction Rule 1.5.6 The Bus Rule In the event of a traffic jam, obstructing a crossroads or In cities or countries with walkway is prohibited. public transport buses, buses leaving a bus stop have This is known as the Obstruction Rule. priority inside the city limits. This is known as The Bus Rule. 1.5.7 The Zipper principle Where two roads meet like jam,etc., and is acceptable T-Junctions, it makes road even though a road sign sense to apply the zipper principle, where one car may indicate that the from each road moves approaching traffic ahead alternately. has the priority This situation is very common during the rush hour, at road works, in traffic REGULATING THE ROADS 021 1.6 Exceptions to the rules 1.6.1 Vehicles excluded from the rules Since emergency vehicles, Slow down and pull over to Remember: fire engines, ambulances or the side of the road, stop police vehicles on duty must completely if necessary. be able to get to the scene Emergency Vehicles are of an accident as quickly as Disrupting the passage of beyond the traffic-rules. possible, they are entitled an emergency vehicle or to violate the traffic rules forcing your way through is To warn other road by breaching a red light or prohibited. users of their presence passing an island on the and demand free wrong side, always provided You are also required to passage, emergency of course, that they can do give priority to: vehicles are fitted with so safely. To warn other a rotating, flashing light. road users of their presence Military vehicles when and demand free passage, moving in convoy Sometimes a siren and/ emergency vehicles are or strobe lights are fitted with a rotating, Official convoys used as well. flashing light. Sometimes a siren and/or strobe lights are Rescue vehicle convoys, Always make way for used as well. etc. emergency vehicles. Always give way for Oncoming vehicles may Slow down and pull emergency vehicles. pass at a road work- over to the side of site unless otherwise the road, stopping instructed by a sign. completely if necessary. 022 REGULATING THE ROADS 1.7 Duty towards unprotected road users 1.7.1 Respect for pedestrians and cyclists 1.7.2 Courtesy and interaction with others Traffic involves interaction with other road users. Pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers, as well as truck and bus drivers, share the same road environment. As we interact, we also have to adjust, compromise and show courtesy to other road users. So how do we interact with other persons in the normal course of life? We open doors for one another. We don’t jump the queue when waiting at the Controlled pedestrian Probable causes supermarket checkout. crossings are defined as of pedestrian all crossings controlled by crossing accidents: We are respectful when a police officer or a traffic we meet as pedestrians. light. All other types of The driver did not crossing are deemed as notice or ignored Why do we behave uncontrolled pedestrian the pedestrian at the differently when we crossings, even though side of the crossing. meet as drivers? a traffic signal may be flashing amber. The driver’s view Would we push our way was obstructed, to get ahead of another Avoid overtaking cyclists at perhaps by the door vehicle if we knew that intersections. Keep plenty of post of his or her car. we would meet the driver space from the cyclists for later at work? they often wobble. The driver was going too fast and had The same rules of behaviour Slow down and stop if you insufficient time to should apply when we are see that a pedestrian is watch the road, as interacting with other road waiting to cross the road. he/she should users as do in other social interactions. The driver overtook a vehicle that had stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the road. REGULATING THE ROADS 023 1.8 Order of traffic precedence You may run into situations in which several types of instruction are given at once. If you do, the order of precedence is as follows: 1. Signal given by a 2. Traffic light 3. Traffic sign 4. Rules of the road police officer The green traffic The traffic light No police officer, The green traffic light is on but the is flashing no traffic light, light is on but sign says Stop. amber, but the and no traffic the policeman is The signal-light sign says Stop. sign. Here the signaling for you takes precedence The sign takes rules of the to stop. over the traffic precedence. road apply, in The policeman’s sign. this case the signal takes obligation to give precedence. way to vehicles approaching from the left. Rules of the Road 024 REGULATING THE ROADS 1.8.1 Signals given by a police officer or other authority figure Sometimes a police officer is directing the traffic. Usually, the You must also comply with police will only take over if the traffic lights are out of order or signals given by the military following an accident or a major public event. police and other persons officially authorised to Signals given by a police officer directing or checking the direct traffic. traffic take precedence over all else. Signals given by policemen: Beckoning a vehicle from the side Slow down vehicles approaching from left If given from a police car, follow the police may continue. car and Pull over behind it when it stops. All Vehicles must stop Vehicles approaching from behind and when police man raise his hand. ahead must stop both left and right may continue. Stop If a police car behind you starts alternately flashing the blue and red lights mounted on its radiator, pull over to the side of the road and stop immediately. After a while the light may change to a steady red. The order to stop may be preceded by a flash of the headlights. REGULATING THE ROADS 025 1.9 Give Way and Crossing rules 1.9.1 Give way situations An obligation to give way requires you to give clear indication You must not attempt to of your intention to give way to other vehicles by slowing pass through the crossing down or stopping in plenty of time. if by so doing you might obstruct, impede or endanger other road users. You must give way: At uncontrolled This is known as the To oncoming traffic pedestrian crossings Exit or Entering Rule. as you prepare to where pedestrians turn left and to all have already stepped To traffic coming vehicles using the out or are just up from the left. carriageway you about to step on to Vehicles approaching will enter as you the crossing. a junction or make the turn. crossroads from the As you turn onto the left have priority. This is known as the road from a parking Turning rule. lot, a gas station, a This is known as the residential area, a Left Hand Rule. As instructed by pedestrian way, the traffic lights and hard shoulder or an traffic signs. off-road area. 026 REGULATING THE ROADS 1.10 Giving and receiving signs and signals 1.10.1 Indicator signal Sometimes If you are about to stop on You must signal to other misunderstandings occur in a main road, park or turn road users what you intend traffic. Although this may be round, your car’s position to do next when you: simply due to ignorance, it's will give other drivers a clear also true that some drivers signal, a visual clue as to Set off the curb or side tend to interpret signs and what you intend to do next. of the road, signals in different ways. Giving a signal does not release you from the Turn off at a cross roads, Besides watching out for responsibility in the event other people’s signals, of an accident. In other Turn onto the road, you must also interpret words, you must never let their meaning. If a signal your attention stray or stop Change lanes or position is unclear, keep alert showing consideration for yourself on the road. for other clues. other road users. All signals must be given in plenty of time, and they must be unambiguous and clearly visible. Giving a signal does not release you from responsibility in the event of an accident. REGULATING THE ROADS 027 1.10 Giving and receiving signs and signals 1.10.2 Horn, lights and hazard signals 1.10.3 Using the horn at night Sound signals or horn may If you intend to pass a You must not use your horn only be used to avert a danger. horse and a rider in residential areas from If you are driving properly and midnight to 6:00 am, except safely you will seldom need to Hazard lights must only be to avoid danger from a use your horn. And remember, used in the event of an moving vehicle. the fact that sounding your emergency or accident. horn will not exempt you from If you need to warn responsibility in the event It is very dangerous and other road users of your of a collision. strictly forbidden to use the presence at night, flash your hazard lights in heavy rain headlights instead. It can be very useful to use as an excuse for high speed. the proper light signals before starting to overtake, especially In a sudden traffic jam or in on fast roads to clear your congested conditions you intention to other road users. may use the hazard lights very briefly to inform the Flashing your headlights/high driver behind you that they beam have the same meaning need to brake hard. as sounding the horn, no more no less. During the towing, it might be acceptable to use the Do not sound your horn: hazard lights of the trailer being towed. The vehicle up Except to avert danger front must be able to use its indicators visibly. Longer than necessary 028 REGULATING THE ROADS  1.11 Light signals 1.10.4 Stoplights There are different types of light signals for different categories of road user. Here are a few of the more common ones. Stoplights come on Traffic lights normally apply to all vehicles. Traffic lights are automatically as soon set up at crossroads and junctions to increase safety and as you touch the brake. ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Even so, many accidents still occur at light-controlled crossings. Proceed with caution As you approach an even if you have a green light. intersection, a good method of signaling is to use the A light signal or traffic sign indicating an obligation to give brake light to make your way will nearly always apply to you if it is placed on the intentions clear to other road right-hand side of the carriageway just before the crossing. users in good time and with However, if you are in a lane reserved for vehicles that are sufficient distance. about to turn left, the traffic light with its green arrow filter signal will often be placed to the left of the carriageway. Now and then it may be necessary to warn other Do not turn at a light just because you think the road is clear; road users following you too make doubly sure that it really is clear before attempting to closely or when you have go through the crossing. entered a sudden traffic jam/ congestion, by touching the And far too many motorists, whether intentionally or brake pedal and flashing unintentionally, go through the red light. your stoplight. REGULATING THE ROADS 029 1.11 Light signals Know your lights in the correct order: 1. Steady red light means STOP. Driving through a red light is prohibited. 2. Steady green light means GO. 3. Steady amber light means STOP if you can do so safely. The light is about to change to red. Brake smoothly! 4. Continuous Flashing amber light serves as a warning; it does not regulate the flow of traffic. If the traffic light is flashing amber or has been switched off entirely, traffic signs take precedence. If there is no traffic sign, typical traffic rules apply. Other types of light signals: 1. Pedestrian lights are placed at some junctions. As you turn onto another road, remember that the pedestrian lights may be green. If so, you must Give Way. 2. Controlled pedestrian crossing. Pedestrians who wish to cross the carriageway can activate a traffic light at a controlled pedestrian crossing. 3. One flashing amber light (or two alternately flashing amber lights) spells danger and calls for extra care at busy locations or crossing points. This type of flashing amber light signal is often used to draw the driver’s attention to a pedestrian crossing or a warning sign. 4. Lane control signs are mounted above the lanes that are open to traffic. A red cross means that the lane is closed to traffic. 5. Alternately flashing red lights at a fire station, etc. mean Stop. 030 REGULATING THE ROADS 1.12 Defensive driving Defensive driving enables To drive defensively, you should: you to predict risks and avoid danger. Think ahead Always position Essentially, sensible safely and keep defensive driving means Be alert to what is to the correct being aware at all times of going on around you driving lane the risks involved and doing your best to Drive with active Drive at the prevent accidents. observation, correct speed It means showing Recognise Check your rear view consideration for road users traffic hazards mirror frequently who are obviously not as familiar with the road as Keep a safe following Brake in good time you are. It means respecting distance from the unprotected road users and vehicle in front of you Check the road showing courtesy and respect before setting off for all those whose skills are not up to your own. Defensive driving requires practice, experience and a good deal of imagination. REGULATING THE ROADS 031 2.1 Inside the city limits 2.1.1 Positioning where several lanes lead to the same direction – inside the city limits To avoid accidents, you must position your car correctly, which means thinking far enough ahead to avoid having to change lanes at the last second. The one sure way to avoid a collision is to keep to your lane at all times, following its course as marked on the road, even though a straighter, simpler path may sometimes appear more suitable to you. 1. Straight ahead 2. Turning right 3. Turning left To continue straight To turn right, choose To turn left, choose ahead, choose the the right-hand lane the left-hand lane lane best suited to best suited to you in best suited to you in your onward journey plenty of time. plenty of time. in plenty of time. Avoid unnecessary Avoid unnecessary Avoid unnecessary lane changes by lane changes by lane changes by thinking ahead. thinking ahead. thinking ahead. The lane arrows The lane arrows help The lane arrows help you choose the you to choose the help you choose the correct lane. correct lane. correct lane. 036 INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 2.1.2 One way traffic One-way traffic means that you can drive only in one direction. To turn left from a one-way street, keep as far to the left The streets are marked with the One-way traffic sign at the as possible. beginning of the block and apply until the next junction. To prevent traffic from entering in the wrong direction a No Entry sign is posted at an appropriate point. One-way traffic means that you can drive only in one direction. INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 037 2.1 Within city limits 2.1.3 Roundabouts Roundabouts make it easier When you exit from a to enter junctions and roundabout you may have to To turn right, get into intersections in light-traffic change lanes, so it is especially the right hand lane. areas and, giving priority to the important to keep an eye vehicles inside the roundabout, open for vehicles that may be To turn left, move can make roads safer. Since coming up from the right. over into the all approaching vehicles must left-hand lane. give way to those already on Maintain the same lane before, the roundabout, the risk of during, and when exiting The illustration above colliding with another vehicle is the roundabout. shows how the Give greatly reduced. Way and Roundabout Use the right indicator when signs together signal Roundabouts are essentially deciding to exit your obligation no different from an ordinary the roundabout. to give way. crossroads, with one or more lanes encircling a central island. When approaching a junction, Always signal your maintain the same lane before intention to leave To avoid having to stop or and after crossing. the roundabout by hesitate about where to turn flashing your right off, think well ahead. And hand indicator. expect large or oversized vehicles to need more than one lane to turn. 038 INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 2.2 Using your eyes and other senses 2.2.1 Scanning technique, peripheral vision and central visual field The central visual field represents the tiny area in which the image is actually in focus. Everything else is blurred. Obviously, then, it is essential to keep shifting your gaze in order to scan every part of the road ahead. The important thing to realise is that the two fields of vision, central and peripheral, complement each other perfectly. Your peripheral vision enables you to discover things, while your central field of vision, where the objects are in focus, enables you to recognize them. There is a reason why road The red spot is the only part of Experienced drivers users sometimes fail to the retina where we perceive make better use of their recognize and react to the objects as being sharply peripheral vision and they key elements of their traffic in focus. It corresponds to tend to scan the road more environment. A driver’s our direct or central field of systematically than novice scanning technique, or vision. It is a curious fact that, or inexperienced drivers. how and when to read and of everything we see, only 2 Novice or inexperienced interpret the driving when percent is in full focus. drivers on the other hand, proceeding along the road is tend to concentrate more crucial in helping to identify Everything else in our on stationary objects and the overall conditions which peripheral field of vision keep their eyes close to could end up in an accident. is more or less out of their own vehicle. focus, or blurred. Even if Tests have shown that you have perfect eyesight, scanning techniques the sharpness or acuity of vary between individual your peripheral vision is drivers and tend to actually less than 0.1 on the change and advance in acuity scale. step with the driver’s advancing experience. INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 039 2.2 Using your eyes and other senses 2.2.2 Visual defects - visual acuity and the visual field Good visual acuity and an unimpaired visual field, that is to say sharp vision and an unobstructed view, are fundamental to correct decisions in complicated traffic situations. Your eyes provide you with 90% of all the information you need to manage your car in traffic, so any visual defect is likely to affect your driving in one way or another. Driving in the dark is It is important to realise that especially tough on your poor eyesight can seriously eyes. Some drivers become impair your driving ability. shortsighted at night and may need corrective lenses; others suffer loss Your eyes provide you with of visual acuity because of a reduction in their 90% of all the information sensitivity to contrast or the eye’s ability to you need to manage your distinguish between various shades of grey. car in traffic 040 INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 2.3 Lanes 2.3.1 Queuing / lanes 2.3.2 Changing lanes and passing other vehicles in lanes more dangerous on fast roads. It is clear from the number of accidents caused by speeding and failure to warn other drivers when attempting a lane change. Frequent overtaking on the right and left that leads to confusion of traffic flow and disturbance to other road users is doubly dangerous. A prohibitory line separating two lanes means: Do not change lanes! If you yourself wish to change lanes, think ahead and move over well in In a queue, traffic jam or Drivers may change lanes advance of the prohibitory other congested conditions, only if they can do so safely lines commonly found collisions or pile-ups and without causing any at junctions and on frequently occur simply unnecessary hindrance to stretches of road where because the vehicles other road users. local conditions make lane involved were driving too changing unsuitable. fast or were too close and A driver observing that unable to brake in time. another road user wishes to Help keep the traffic flowing enter his or her lane should - drive in the correct lane. By looking well ahead facilitate entrance into the and keeping track of the lane by adjusting his or her In some cases, you may vehicles further up the road speed appropriately. pass another vehicle on you can steer clear of such the right without feeling accidents. This makes it If you see that another that you are passing on much easier to adjust your road user wishes to enter the wrong side. speed to an appropriate your lane, do all you can to level, since the stop lights of assist him/her. The easiest the cars up ahead will warn way is to leave plenty of you when it is time to slow space between you and the down and you will have more vehicle ahead. chance to react if you have to stop in a hurry. Some drivers insist on changing lanes constantly, frequently, dangerously and without good reason. These actions are even INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 041 2.3 Lanes 2.3.3 Things to consider It's permissible to pass from right side in the following situations: In a congested traffic in place where any where the right lane is action is prohibited open; according to traffic instructions, signs and The overhead signs indicationsYou may pass above the lanes show on the right hand side, of that the lanes lead to a vehicle that has clearly different destinations; indicated that it is about to turn left. Drivers are keeping to their own correct lanes before negotiating a junction; Changing lanes quickly, efficiently and safely: Adapt your speed to As you turn the The signs above the local conditions. wheel, check your lanes correspond to side mirror and the lanes marked on Check the traffic all glance quickly over the carriageway. A around. Use your your shoulder again prohibit line between mirrors, and don’t to check for any lanes means that forget your car’s vehicles that may be changing lanes is blind spot. Check hidden in your car’s forbidden. Lane your side mirror! blind spot. indication signs make it easier for When the closest Move smoothly over drivers to select the vehicle has drawn into the other lane, correct lane in time. level, signal that accelerating gently you wish to change as you do so. lanes and check the reactions of Plan ahead. Choose other drivers. your route wisely. 042 INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 2.4 Overtaking and crossing junctions inside the city limits 2.4.1 Pedestrian Crossing 2.4.2 Elderly and disabled pedestrians Overtaking and crossing - Exceptions to the Many people suffer from junctions, bends and hills overtaking restrictions some form of disability. Disabilities may be visible, Overtaking is prohibited: You may overtake: signaled or invisible. Just before or while If the vehicle ahead of Persons with invisible crossing a junction or you has clearly indicated disabilities are less easy intersection by a visual signal and its to recognize, so it is often position on the road that difficult for motorists to At places where your it is about to turn left, show them the courtesy and view of the road is and if you overtake on consideration they are due. obstructed, such as at the right side. Any number of common the brow of a hill or at a conditions can lead to an bend on the road invisible disability. So if you see someone you know or School crossing patrols help suspect to be challenged in any way, slowdown school children to cross a in plenty of time and be prepared to give way. busy and crowded street INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 043 2.4 Overtaking and crossing junctions inside the city limits 2.4.3 Children and traffic Children live in a world of their Remember: own and should really be kept away from roads and traffic altogether, but since this is 1. Children are small. stopping to consider not always possible, the driver They are not easy the consequences. should learn something about to see when they More often than how they behave. are playing behind a not they run rather parked car. than walk across School crossing patrols the street. help school children to 2. A child’s eyesight is cross a busy and crowded not fully developed. 4. Children are always street on the way to and A young person’s at play. For children, from the school. The patrols eyesight is not everything is a alert drivers that there are fully developed game. They live in children on the road. until around the a world of fantasy age of fifteen. A and imagination A child should be treated as child’s visual field and have little a living warning sign. And the is therefore limited. understanding of the responsibility for ensuring that Children don’t see dangers of the road. there won’t be an accident things ‘out of the is yours. After all, the person corner of their eye.’ 5. Children do not with the experience, with the They have specific become reasonable ability to foresee potential vision, i.e. they tend and safe in traffic danger, is you, not the child. to see only one thing until they are 9-12 at a time. years old. Children playing in or near the road may not be thinking 3. Children are 6. Children are poor about the traffic. Watch out impulsive. They act judges of speed for the ball. Watch out on impulse, without and distance. for the child 044 INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 2.5 Stopping, parking and turning 2.5.1 Sudden, 2.5.2 Stopping and parking abrupt stopping on the carriageway side could suddenly open just as you are passing. As a general rule, you should stop or park on the right-hand side of the road. Stopping or parking on the pavement is strictly prohibited. Many accidents occur due Drivers may not simply stop to vehicles stopping abruptly or park wherever they like in without prior warning, causing a manner that represents the following vehicle to collide a danger or obstructs with the offending vehicle. An traffic unnecessarily. even worse habit observed on the roads is when a driver A vehicle halted on or at sharply cuts across another the side of the road may vehicle. This is quite common seriously impede the flow among taxi drivers, when of traffic. It may obstruct they suddenly see a potential other drivers’ view of the Many customer waiting by the road and force other vehicles side of the road. towards or across the accidents centerline; or it may simply Never cut across other make things more difficult occur vehicles suddenly, whether for other people using the in order to turn or to road. The more it obstructs due to vehicles pick up a passenger. other drivers’ view of the road, the greater the danger stopping It is advisable, in addition it represents, particularly to giving the correct signal, on roads where the traffic abruptly to press gently on your is moving fast. brake pedal several times without as an added precaution Watch out for cars parked to alert drivers behind you by the side of the road. prior warning, and give them time to take If someone is inside the appropriate action. vehicle, one of the doors INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 045 2.5 Stopping, parking and turning Stopping/Waiting and Parking: Things to remember when you leave your vehicle: What’s the difference? As soon as you pull up, you are considered to have Never stop or park where you might cause an stopped. As long as you obstruction or represent a danger to remain behind the wheel with other vehicles. or without engine running, you are considered to be Make sure the handbrake is firmly on before you waiting. And, the moment leave the car. you go out of the car after stopping, you are said to have Take the key out of the ignition and lock your car. parked your car. When you park When you park up hill, downhill, turn your turn your front wheels front wheels towards to the opposite side the curb to prevent of the curb to prevent the car from running the car from running forward downhill in backwards downhill the event of parking in the event of parking brake failure. As an brake failure. As an extra precaution, it extra precaution, it is advisable to leave is advisable to leave your car in reverse your car in first gear gear rather than rather than in neutral. in neutral. Stopping and waiting is prohibited in the following places. And, naturally, where you cannot stop or park. Within 15 meters of a In an underpass On roads or junction/crossing or or tunnel. tracks reserved pedestrian crossing. for pedestrians On or just before or or cyclists. At any place where after a bend in the you might conceal road or at the brow In restricted areas. a road sign or of a hill. traffic light. At T-junctions. 046 INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS Parking is prohibited in the following places At places where you the side of the road. might hinder access In assigned parkings to or exit from a In front of a fire with any of the tires building or site. hydrant or at any touching or on the location reserved marking-lines. Alongside another for handicapped/ parked vehicle or any disabled persons or At a bus stop. equipment installed at ambulances. No Stopping/Parking signs Wherever the No A Parking Prohibited A Disabled Persons Stopping or Parking sign means that sign means that only sign is posted, although you may disabled persons stopping and parking stop to pick up or holding special are both strictly drop off passengers permits may park in prohibited. or goods, you must the space(s) marked. do so without unnecessary delay. 2.5.3 U-turns Some junctions have at the junction. Remember normally have red light. provision allowing U-turns to to give way to all oncoming Designated U-turn sites be made. Here you will have traffic. At junctions with traffic work in the same way. Even to position the vehicle in the lights and where U-turns are here, you will have to give left lane and make the U-turn allowed, oncoming traffic will way to all oncoming traffic. 2.5.4 Changing direction by means of a U-turn or reversing If you find yourself traveling The responsibility for any Where the traffic flow is in the wrong direction and mishap will be entirely yours. heavy and the speed is have to turn around, make high, do the changing of sure you turn at a place Making a U turn is only your direction at one of the where other road users will permitted from the left lane designated U-turn sites be able to see you clearly. If and only if you can turn or keep going to a more you have to reverse, always safely and without causing suitable location further reverse into the minor road. unnecessary hindrance to down the road. When reversing, watch out other road users. for children. INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 047 3.1.2 Things to consider when leaving town 3.1.2.1 Speed limits Major roads mean high Always adapt to local traffic speeds. And high speeds conditions. Driving speed must never are perfectly acceptable exceed the speed at which provided nothing gets in the The maximum speed limit on the driver can maintain safe way. Remember that hitting the major roads in UAE is control of the vehicle and another vehicle at 40 km/h, 140 km/h bring it to a halt on the which is not particularly carriageway or hard shoulder. fast, is equivalent to falling inside the city, the speed onto a concrete floor from limit is usually 80 km/h, This means that the distance a height of 10 meters needed to slow the car to a for the occupants of the Outside built-up areas, the halt must be clear and free vehicles involved, the impact standard speed of any visible or anticipated is murderous. limit is 100 km/h. obstacle on the road ahead. Fortunately, the recipe for avoiding collisions is simple: anticipate, observe, adapt. 3.1.2.2 Adapting your speed Hidden danger The road As you travel down the road, Naturally, you must also you must be able to bring adapt your speed to the your vehicle to a halt well condition of the road you are before reaching an obstacle driving on. On gravel roads, on the road ahead, whether the braking distance is much real or potential. As a driver, longer than on asphalt, and you must teach yourself to a wet asphalt road is more predict what could be hidden slippery than a dry one. behind a parked car, behind Teach yourself to ‘read’ a hedge or round the next the road and predict where You must also adapt your bend. This ability comes danger might lurk: at bends, speed to the state of the only with practice. on hills, on wet patches, and traffic, the weather, visibility, many other places. the weight of your load, the condition of your vehicle, Driver limitations The vehicle and, above all, your own Never allow speed to get the Performance varies greatly abilities. Do not base your upper hand. Stay in control from one car to the next driving on what you think. of your car at all times. and even more so from Base it on what you see and Many drivers overestimate motorcycle to motorcycle. on what you know. their own abilities and drive So, if you borrow a vehicle dangerously fast. This is you’re unfamiliar with, make why single-vehicle accidents sure you take things easy. are the most common type of accident on main roads outside built-up areas. OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 053 3.1 Outside city limits 3.1.2.3 The road Avoid accidents as much as possible. All vehicles must be driven at an appropriately low speed: In built-up areas view of the road is When approaching restricted children on or by Where visibility is the side of the poor owing to bad Wherever there might carriageway weather or poor light be a risk of dazzle When approaching At pedestrian On encountering an animals on the crossings or other oncoming vehicle on road ahead places where a narrow road pedestrians At road works cross the road On slippery roads At the scene of At crossroads When approaching a an accident and junctions bus, tram or school transport vehicle When the road At sharp bends that has stopped to surface is muddy set down or pick up and you might splash At the brow of a hill or passengers pedestrians or other wherever the driver’s road users 054 OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 3.1.2.4 Speed blindness It is all too easy to become Instead, what nearly always Unless you keep an eye accustomed to high speeds, happens is that you have on your speedometer, you to become speed blind. lost your sense of speed. can easily find yourself After a while, the motorway traveling 20-30 km/h faster actually seems pleasurable. It is only when you need than you think. to slow down quickly that You enjoy traveling fast. you realise what speed is One factor contributing to Then your exit comes up. all about. A car doing 60 speed blindness is a lack Turning off the motorway km/h on a dry road needs of stimuli needed for the is easy and when the about 35 meters of road to driver to form an accurate speed limit sign appears stop. If you are traveling impression of his or her you wonder whether your at 120 km/h, you will need true speed. As modern speedometer is showing about 110 meters. cars handle smoothly and the correct reading. By the without excess noise even time you’ve slowed down In other words, whenever at high speeds, we are often to 60 km/h the car feels you accelerate, it is vital unaware of how fast they practically at a standstill. to consider your can actually travel. stopping distance. This is something you In addition, monotonous will almost certainly Speed blindness is driving on straight, well- experience at first hand and dangerous first and foremost made roads offers little in it is very seldom that the in that you tend to misjudge the way of visual variation. speedometer will be wrong. your braking distance. OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 055 3.1 Outside city limits 3.1.2.5 Tunnel vision 3.1.2.6 Bends Too much acceleration can cause the wheels, particularly on rear-wheel drive vehicles, to lose their grip and skid resulting the vehicle swinging off the road. Increase the speed only when you have straightened the wheel as you leave the bend. Judging the correct road speed as you approach bends and corners takes practice and experience. The correct speed is the one that takes your vehicle around the bend under full control Tunnel vision causes the A bend can feel like a sharp with the greatest safety for visual field to ‘narrow’ with corner to a driver who you, your passengers and increasing speed. The faster approaches it too fast - with other road users. you drive, the further ahead disastrous results. There are you fix your gaze. In other no hard and fast rules. You The speed should depend on words, you see things only will have to judge the correct the type and condition of the in a small portion of your position and the proper road, the sharpness of the visual field and therefore and correct speed for the bend, the camber or surface fail to observe things off to corner or bend. curve of the road, visibility one side. To avoid tunnel and the weather conditions. vision, adapt your speed The secret of dealing with to local conditions and bends is to slow down When reducing speed before keep shifting your gaze. before the bent. Use the entering a bend, take your Scan all parts of the road accelerator so that the foot off the accelerator and ahead. When driving at high engine is doing just enough reduce the vehicle speed speed, counteract tunnel work to drive the vehicle to the road speed using the vision by scanning. round the bend without foot-brake progressively. going faster. If necessary, change to Keep in mind also that a lower gear. tunnel vision can be caused The correct speed at a by or aggravated by stress. corner or bend will depend You should reduce the on a number of things, speed before you turn. including how sharp it is and whether there is other traffic about. 056 OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 3.1.2.7 Skidding Avoid braking on a bend. This can make your vehicle unstable. The sharper the bend, the more drastic the effects of braking and the more likely the vehicle is to skid. Brake before the bend, if any braking is necessary. Do not confuse ‘using the accelerator’ with ‘accelerating’, which means going faster. When dealing with bends ‘using the accelerator’ means using it just enough to drive the vehicle around the bend. Remember Drive at a safe speed while keeping the right amount of load on the engine You slow down before the bent and you have to use the and the right amount of accelerator so that the engine is doing just enough work to grip on the road. drive the vehicle round the bend without going faster. Where vision is restricted, be Adjust your speed and do not go into the bend too fast. prepared to meet oncoming vehicles, pedestrians or The correct speed at a bend will depend on a number of obstructions, such as slow- things, including how sharp it is and whether there is other moving or broken-down traffic about. vehicles, without much advance warning. Too much acceleration can cause your vehicle’s wheel to loose grip and skid. Increase the speed only when you Look well ahead for have straightened the wheel as you leave the bend. changes in the camber of the road, which could affect Judging the correct road speed as you approach bends your control. and corners take practice and experience. Avoid braking in a bend: this can make your vehicle unstable. The sharper the bend, the more drastic the effects of braking and more likely the vehicle is to skid. Brake before the bend, if any braking is necessary. Where vision is restricted be prepared to meet oncoming vehicles, pedestrians or obstructions, such as slow- moving or broken-down vehicles. OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 057 3.1 Outside city limits 3.1.2.8 Keeping your distance: The three-second rule What is the correct distance to keep between you and another vehicle? The three-second rule is an brakes yourself. In this time, stop lights of the vehicles easy way to measure the you and your vehicle will ahead will give you ample distance to a car in front of have covered 17 meters warning that it is time to you on main-road driving. As if you are traveling at 60 slow down, and you will you drive, choose an obvious km/h, 22 meters at 80 km/h have more time to react if reference point on the road and 33 meters at 120 km/h you have to bring your car to ahead, such as a palm tree before you react. a sudden stop. or a shadow from a bridge. When the car in front of you Keep your distance, and Some people believe that passes that point, start to always scan the road as far they save time by driving count - one hundred and ahead as you can! fast. However, this is a one... one hundred and two misconception and an... one hundred and three. If Try to concentrate primarily unfortunate one, for it you pass that point before on what is happening to creates unnecessary stress reaching one hundred and the cars further up the and is the cause of many three, you are driving too road, which is easier if you unnecessary accidents. close. Take your foot off are not following exactly the accelerator! in the tracks of the vehicle For example, if your average immediately ahead. If this is speed is 80km/h and you If the driver ahead applies impractical, try to scan the accelerate to 100km/h, the the brake, it will normally traffic by looking through time you will save will be as take about a second for the windows of the vehicles little as 1 minute over the you to react and apply the further along the road. The next 10 kilometers. 058 OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 3.2 Road works 3.2.1 Dealing with road workers Road repairmen work under considerable pressure. Not only must they concentrate on their work, but they must also be on the constant lookout for oncoming traffic. So show consideration for people doing a tough job, slow down in good time and keep well clear of the repair works site. Some ways you can reduce risks on the road: Keep a sufficient distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead. Apply the three-second rule. If someone is driving too close on your tail, take your foot off the accelerator and to increase the safety margin. Be prepared for action at all times, i.e. by being extra alert whenever you think things could start getting dangerous Be prepared to brake, i.e. by moving your foot over to the brake pedal and being ready to stop in the shortest possible distance. Adjust your distance to the vehicle ahead depending on the speed of the traffic and the state of the road. OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 059 3.3 Ordinary roads 3.3.1 Turning onto a major road temporarily on the wrong side of the center line. Be aware of traffic coming towards you from the other direction, i.e. from the right; someone may decide to overtake just as you start making your turn. Stop and wait at the stop line until the road is free of oncoming traffic in both directions. While you are waiting to move out, a car coming up from the left with its right-hand indicators flashing, may signal its intention to turn to the right onto your road. Before turning into a major The hard shoulder is road, you must give some primarily a safety zone Don’t trust it. thought to the speed of serving as a refuge for the vehicles you are likely broken-down vehicles. Use Remain where you are to encounter on it. An the shoulder sensibly. And until you know it is safe. oncoming car doing 80 km/h be aware of the risks! Never A quick assessment of covers 22 meters a second, use the shoulder at night the risks involved should meaning that by the time you or in poor light. Parking is remind you that: start moving and turn onto prohibited on roads outside the road, which will probably built-up areas. Naturally, this Drivers often forget take 5 to 6 seconds, it will also applies to the shoulder. their indicators ON, and have closed the gap between sometimes turn them on you by some 120 meters. When you overtake or pass accidentally. a large lorry or bus, be Clearly then, to give the other prepared for turbulence, In addition to that, a driver plenty of time to brake, which may affect vehicle that is indicating you should continue waiting your steering. could be hiding another at the stop-line unless your vehicle behind. car and the oncoming car You must give way to all are at least 300 meters vehicles on the main road. apart. However often you can’t see nearly that far, This includes any vehicle especially in poor light. that may be in the process of overtaking and are hence 060 OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 3.3.2 Estimating the meeting point when overtaking Check the road Mirrors Check the blind spot (Center & Side) then switch the indicator Check the road again Start over taking Back to the right when you see the car which being overtaken in the center mirror Suppose you wish to although quite often that overtake a vehicle ahead. is only because one of the The distance The road is perfectly straight vehicles - the oncoming car between you and the and visibility is excellent. In or the one being overtaken - oncoming vehicle the distance you can see an is forced to take action and oncoming car. Is there time either brake or pull over onto The speed of the to overtake, or would it be the shoulder. And, of course, oncoming vehicle safer to wait? that is not how overtaking should be done! The distance It is a recognized fact that required to the human brain is poorly Imagine if we had a better overtake the vehicle equipped to absorb all of understanding of the force ahead of you the relevant information and to which a body traveling perform the calculations at 90 km/h is subjected as The point at which necessary to form an it is brought to a sudden you will meet the accurate assessment of stop. Almost certainly, we oncoming vehicle the situation. would quickly develop a healthy respect for speed Whether you will And indeed, the calculation and acquire a deeper, more be able to overtake is a tricky one, so you personal understanding of the vehicle ahead must determine: its role in accidents and in good time death on the roads. before meeting the Overtaking does not usually oncoming vehicle. end in a catastrophe, OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 061 3.3 Ordinary roads 3.3.3 Overtaking distance Overtaking calls for good Before you overtake, When someone else judgment and cooperation ask yourself the overtakes you: between several different following questions: people. Speed differences, weak engines, distances, 1. What will I gain by Help the other hidden dangers and a overtaking? driver to overtake confused traffic environment by keeping as far can all give rise to serious 2. How far ahead can I over to the right errors of judgment. see? as possible. The speed of an oncoming 3. How long will I need to Don’t speed up. vehicle is notoriously overtake? Speeding up when difficult to judge with any being overtaken accuracy, and this makes it 4. How fast is the prolong the process all the more difficult to judge oncoming vehicle of overtaking, which your overtaking distance. traveling? will create a risk. 5. How quickly can I If things start accelerate? getting dangerous, do everything you 6. How fast can I overtake? can to help the other driver. 062 OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS The three stages of overtaking: Stage 1 1. Check the road as far ahead as you can and get ready to overtake. Remember that the vehicle in front of you may mask obstacles or vehicles further up the road. 2. Make sure that when you overtake you will be able to speed up sufficiently to allow you to pass quickly and safely. 3. Use your mirror and check your blind spot to ensure that a vehicle coming up from behind is not overtaking you. Switch on your left hand indicator. 4. Check the road once again to make sure that the vehicle you wish to overtake is not masking an obstacle further up the road, e.g. on the shoulder. 5. Make sure that the driver ahead of you does not intend to turn left. 6. In the event of a danger, actual or potential, flash your lights or sound your horn. 7. Remember that cars may suddenly emerge out of side roads. Stage 2 Stage 3 1. Overtake the vehicle ahead as quickly as you can Don’t move back without exceeding the speed limit. into the right hand lane until 2. Leave plenty of room to the side. you can see the overtaken 3. If you suddenly see a car coming from the vehicle in your opposite direction, or if you are in the central mirror. slightest doubt, DO NOT OVERTAKE. And use your right hand indicator! 4. Don’t look at the other vehicle while you are in the process of overtaking. You may find yourself steering in the direction you are looking. 5. Avoid sudden swerves. OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 063 3.3 Ordinary roads 3.3.4 Overtaking rules 3.3.5 Turning off a road: Right and left turn for main roads A driver may overtake junction with left hand turns another vehicle provided he involve vehicles coming can do so without danger. up from behind, but the sole responsibility for such However, overtaking another accidents, says the law, vehicle is prohibited: belongs to the driver who attempted to make the turn. If the lane in which you intend to overtake is Before turning left, it is blocked by an oncoming essential to check vehicle or some other the road in both directions. obstacle. When you turn left you must On roads with only one give way to all oncoming lane in each direction, traffic. The law clearly therefore, crossing the states that turning left at a centerline is prohibited junction is permissible only if there is traffic coming if the turn can be negotiated from the other direction. safely and without obstruction to oncoming If a vehicle ahead of you To turn off a major road, traffic and vehicles coming signals a left-hand turn use your mirror in good time up from behind. or pulls over to the left. before the turn and check for any traffic that may be Prepare the turn in good If a vehicle behind you approaching from behind. time and take up a position begins to overtake. Then, give your signal and close to the centerline. As move into an appropriate we have seen, it is quite If, after overtaking, you position on the carriageway difficult to estimate the would be unable to some 300 to 400 meters speed of an oncoming car, move back into the right before the turn comes up. so if there is traffic coming hand lane. in the opposite direction and To turn right, of course, you you are uncertain whether move over to the right as far you will be able to make as you can, not only to make it across the road in time, room for other road users, but slow down sufficiently to also to indicate that you will enable you to make the shortly be slowing down and turn after the oncoming turning off. If possible, check vehicles have passed. the blind spot via a shoulder check. Remember to check If you need to stop, do so the speedometer as you could a few meters before the have become speed-blind. junction with your front wheels pointing in a forward About two thirds of all direction - if a car were to accidents occurring in a run into you from behind and 064 OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS  3.3.6 Using lay-bys, stopping, parking and making U-turns your wheels were pointing left, you could be forced over into the left-hand lane and cause a head-on collision. So keep your wheels straight, and do not cut the corner. Remember Give your signal in plenty of time. Positioning your vehicle correctly keeps the traffic flowing and makes things easier for you and other If for some reason you should Do not make U-turns on the road users. decide to stop on a main road, road unless you can see you should preferably pull up what is coming. Any driving The position at one of the special lay-bys manoeuvres you make of your vehicle or parking places spaced at on a main road must be helps to inform regular intervals along the carried out without having other road side of the road. A car parked to obstruct or interfere with users of your on a main road is always a other traffic. intentions. potential hazard, so if you have to stop, pull over to the Move into an right as far as you possibly appropriate can. If your car has broken position on the down, set out your triangular road as soon warning sign. as you have made the turn. Note also that parking on a primary road outside a built-up area is prohibited. OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 065 3.4 Driving on motorways On a motorway it is Motorways differ from do happen on the motorway, prohibited to: ordinary roads since they occur at higher speeds they are designed to help and involve more vehicles. traffic travel faster and in Drive a vehicle greater safety. This puts As a result, injuries are designed for greater demands on both usually more serious, speeds of less driver and vehicle. and often there is greater than 60 km/h loss of life. Traffic traveling faster Stop means that conditions You will quickly get used change more rapidly. You to driving on high-speed Park need to be alert and have roads and can easily total concentration. become speed-blind. This Reverse leads you to believe you While safer in many are traveling much slower Turn around/ respects, fast, smooth than you actually are, with make a U-turn roads do, however, have the result that you tend to disadvantages. For example, drive too close to the vehicle Walk their lack of variation ahead. Speed-blind drivers makes driving monotonous are all too often involved in Cycle and, consequently, the motorway pile-ups. drivers get tired. This section deals with the Motorways are statistically special skills you need to safer than other roads with drive safely on a motorway, regards to the number and the situations you’re of accidents occurring. likely to meet. However, when accidents 066 OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 3.4.1 Entering a motorway The faster the traffic, the This rule is reinforced on more time and space you some motorways, where need for every driving action. chevrons – or V-shaped You must give yourself spacer markings – are greater margins, keeping painted on the motorway your distance, than you surface. Keep at least two would on ordi