Light Vehicle Handbook PDF (UAE)

Light Vehicle Handbook The aim of this book is to provide students with the technical information required to avoid accidents on the roads. On obtaining a driver's license, you are responsible for the safety of August 2020 others and yourself....

Light Vehicle Handbook The aim of this book is to provide students with the technical information required to avoid accidents on the roads. On obtaining a driver's license, you are responsible for the safety of August 2020 others and yourself. Issue v1.3 BOOK Copyright © 2017 by Emirates Driving Company, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | www.edcad. ae 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS REGULATING THE ROADS 011 1.1 Traffic Rules 013 1.2 Road traffic signs 014 1.2.1 Traffic sign groups 014 1.3 Road markings 016 1.3.1 Distance to the car in front of you 017 1.4 Rules of the Road 018 1.4.1 The Left Hand Rule: Vehicle approaching from the left 018 1.4.4 The Turning Rule 018 1.4.2 The Main Road or Priority Road Rule 018 1.5.3 The Exit and Entering Rule  018 1.5.5 The Obstruction Rule 019 1.5.7 The Zipper principle 019 1.5.6 The Bus Rule 019 1.5 Exceptions to the rules 020 1.5.1 Vehicles excluded from the rules 020 1.6 Duty towards unprotected road users 021 1.6.1 Respect for pedestrians and cyclists 021 1.6.2 Courtesy and interaction with others 021 1.7 Order of traffic precedence 022 1.7.1 Signals given by a police officer or other traffic authority  023 1.8 Give Way and Crossing rules 024 1.81 Give way situations 024 1.9.1 Indicator signal 025 1.9.2 Horn, lights and hazard signals 026 1.9.3 Using the horn at night 026 1.9.4 Stoplights 027 1.12 Defensive driving 029 TABLE OF CONTENTS INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 034  3.4 Driving on motorways 066 2.1 Basic Position 034 3.4.1 Entering a motorway  067 2.1.1 Right-hand traffic 034 3.4.2 Lane discipline and changing lanes  068 2.1.2 Basic positioning when continuing straight ahead 034 3.4.3 Hogging the overtaking lane  068 2.1.3 Basic positioning when turning right 034 3.4.4 Leaving a motorway  069 2.1.4 Basic positioning when turning left 035 3.5 Dirt road driving and off-road driving 070 2.1.5 Oncoming traffic 035 2.2 Inside the city limits 036 2.2.1 Positioning where several lanes lead to the same direction – inside the city limits 036 DRIVING UNDER DIFFICULT CONDITIONS 073 2.2.2 One way traffic 037 2.2.3 Roundabouts 038 4.1 Driving in sunshine and hot weather 074 2.3 Using your eyes and other senses 039 4.1.1 Your Vehicle 074 2.3.1 Scanning technique, peripheral vision and central visual field 039 4.1.2 Coping with the heat and sun 075 2.3.2 Visual defects - visual acuity and the visual field 040 4.1.3 A large midday meal 075 2.4 Lanes 041 4.2 Driving safely in the dark 076 2.4.1 Queuing in a lane  041 4.2.1 Your eyes at night  076 2.4.2 Changing lanes and passing other vehicles in lanes  041 4.2.2 Speed at night  076 2.4.3 Things to consider 042 4.2.3 Vehicle lights  076 2.5 Overtaking and crossing junctions inside the city limits 043 4.2.4 How to use your headlights when you see an oncoming vehicle  077 2.5.1 Pedestrian Crossing 043 4.2.5 How to use your headlights when overtaking 077 2.5.2 Elderly and disabled pedestrians 043 4.2.6 If you are being overtaken  078 2.5.3 Children and traffic 044 4.2.8 Positioning when you drive in the dark  078 2.5.3.1 The road 045 4.2.7 Dipping your headlights at a bend in the road 078 2.6 Stopping, parking and turning 046 4.2.9 Parking and emergency stops at night  078 2.6.1 Sudden, abrupt stopping 046 4.2.10 Using your headlights in built-up areas 079 2.6.2 Stopping and parking 046 4.2.11 Unprotected road users 079 2.6 Stopping, parking and turning 047 4.2.12 Noises at night 079 2.6.3 U-turns 048 4.3 Driving in fog 080 2.6.4 Changing direction by means of a U-turn or reversing 048 4.4 Driving in high winds 081 4.5 Driving in rain 082 4.5.1 Aquaplaning  082 OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 052 4.5.2 Dealing with floods 083 4.5.3 Dealing with flooded areas 084 3.1 Outside city limits 053 4.5.4 How to deal with a skid 084 3.1.1 Safety check before setting out  053 3.1.2 Things to consider when leaving town 054 3.1.2.1 Speed limits 054 CRITICAL SITUATIONS 089 3.1.2.2 Adapting your speed 054 3.1.2.3 Speed blindness 055 5.1 What is the main cause of traffic accidents? 091 3.1.2.4 Tunnel vision 056 5.2 Different types of critical situation and accident 092 3.1.2.5 Bends 056 5.2.1 The single vehicle accident 092 3.1.2.6 Skidding 057 5.2.2 Crossroad accidents inside and outside the city limits 092 3.1.2.7 Keeping your distance: The three-second rule 058 5.2.3 Turning accidents inside and outside the city limits 093 3.2 Road works 059 5.2.4 Oncoming traffic accidents 093 3.2.1 Dealing with road workers 059 5.2.5 Overtaking accidents  094 3.3 Ordinary roads 060 5.2.6 Accidents with people under influence of alcohol or other intoxicants  094 3.3.1 Turning onto a major road  060 5.2.7 Pedestrian crossing accidents  095 3.3.2 Estimating the meeting point when overtaking 061 5.2.8 Accidents involving cyclists  095 3.3.3 Overtaking distance  062 5.2.9 Accidents in the night 096 3.3.4 Overtaking rules for main roads  064 5.2.10 Front to rear accidents  096 3.3.5 Turning off a road: Right and left turn  064 5.2.11 Motorcycle accidents  096 3.3.6 Using lay-bys, stopping, parking and making U-turns 065 TABLE OF CONTENTS 5.3 The impact of the intersection collisions  097 THE BASICS- GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR  129 5.4 Camels and other animals on the road  099 5.5 How to avoid critical situations  100 7.1 Before you start-The importance of service and maintenance  131 5.6 Towards an accident-free traffic environment  101 7.1.1 The driver's manual 131 5.7 What to do in the event of a traffic accident 102 7.1.2 Listen to your car 132 5.7.1 Dealing with accidents 102 7.2 How it all works: The main components and systems involved 133 5.7.2 Fire 104 7.2.1 The Engine 133 7.2.2 The lubrication system 134 7.2.3 The cooling system 135 DRIVING BEHAVIOUR AND ROAD COURTESY  107 7.2.4 The fuel system 136 7.2.5 The exhaust system 137 6.1 Emotional maturity 109 7.2.6 The electrical system 138 6.1.1 Developing a moral code of conduct 110 7.2.7 Vehicle Lights 140 6.1.2 Immaturity 110 7.2.8 Rear lights 141 6.1.3 Role models 110 7.2.9 Visual aids: The instrument panel  142 6.1.4 Responsibility 111 7.2.10 The transmission system 144 6.1.5 Identity (weak identity) 111 7.2.11 The brake systems  145 6.1.6 Adapting to reality (deficient reality) 112 7.2.12 The tyres 147 6.1.7 Poor Self-control 112 7.2.13 The tyre characteristics 148 6.1.8 Know yourself and know your driving skill 113 7.2.14 The steering system 149 6.1.9 The difference between experienced and inexperienced drivers 113 7.3 Economical driving  150 6.1.10 Elderly drivers  114 7.4 Driving with a heavy load or pulling a trailer 151 6.2 Personality traits and certain types of bad behaviour 115 7.5 Testing time: Vehicle inspection and registration 152 6.2.1 Impulsiveness 115 7.6 Motor vehicle insurance 153 6.2.2 Excuses (Blaming others) 115 6.2.3 Repression 115 6.2.4 Reaction formation  116 SAFETY WHILE DRIVING  157 6.2.5 Prestige 116 6.2.6 Self-assertion  116 8.1 Car safety 159 6.2.7 Jumping the queue  117 8.1.1 The car’s protective shell 159 6.2.8 Reinforcing bad habits (Probability conditioning)  117 8.1.2 How to adjust the car seat, the head restraint and how to load a car 160 6.2.9 Learning by imitation 118 8.1.3 Seat belts save lives 161 6.3 The will to learn and the need to learn 119 8.1.4 Airbags (SRS) save lives 162 6.3.1 Superficial learning 119 8.1.5 Children in the car 163 6.3.2 In-depth learning 119 8.1.6 Forgetting the children in the vehicle 166 6.3.3 Overlearning 120 8.2 The natural laws 167 6.4 Focus on driving 120 8.2.1 To calculate the distance required to stop a moving car 167 6.4.1 Avoiding distractions 120 8.2.2 Centrifugal force: When the road bends  169 6.4.2 Stress 121 8.2.3 The force of gravity 169 6.5 Group pressure 122 8.3 More about handling different cars 170 6.5.1 Negative impact 122 8.3.1 Some vehicle characteristics 170 6.6 Factors with adverse effects 123 6.6.1 Stages of fatigue and tiredness 123 6.6.2 Illness and medicines 123 AVOIDING DANGER ON THE ROAD 175 6.6.3 Alcohol 124 6.6.4 Illegal drugs 124 6.7 Distractions while driving 125 ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS 183 6.7.1 Important things to consider 125 6.8 Traffic offences and penalties 126 ROAD MARKINGS 215 Chapter One REGULATING THE ROADS 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 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. In the UAE, work is still in lines shown here are not progress on combining yet common in the UAE. Knowledge of these rules the regional traffic However, with the rapid is, of course, essential for rules mentioned in the expansion of traffic and the every driver so that he or Federal Law and the road network, they will soon she will not break them international traffic rules become part of our traffic out of carelessness or to be standardized and system. In the meantime, ignorance exposing followed generally. Before 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 Main Groups : Additional Groups : 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 The purpose of road Road traffic signs are Prohibitive signs, Direction signs, Temporary signs, traffic signs is to convey an essential part of any Symbols are used as circular in shape and rectangular in shape, on an information. There are traffic system. much as possible, red in colour, which which inform, give orange background warning signs, prohibitive because they are more prohibit and restrict positive instructions signs, regulatory signs They tell you about the easily recognised, and local directions and direction signs, all of rules you must obey and understood and can which give you important warn you about the hazards be standardised, information about the road you may meet on the road irrespective you are driving on. ahead. Traffic aids may of languages. be in the form of words or The municipality decides symbols on panels, road You will recognise traffic ROAD exactly what signs and markings, beacons, bollards signs more easily if you CONSTRUCTION AHEAD where they are to set up. or traffic lights. This section understand the shape and To make things easier for deals with the various colour of the four main drivers, each sign has a types of traffic sign and groups or categories and two distinctive combination of their meaning. additional groups. shape, colour and symbol. To do its job effectively, a Since we drive on the right sign must communicate its hand side of the road, most message early enough for All drivers must be familiar Learn the different groups or categories of signs first; this will of the road-signs directing you to see and understand it with every traffic sign make it much easier to remember the individual signs later on. the traffic are placed on and act accordingly. currently in use. the right side. Some of the signs appear on the left You will find them illustrated side also where they are in the appendix for Road more suitable. Traffic Signs. 014 REGULATING THE ROADS REGULATING THE ROADS 015 1.3 Road markings Some situations you may 1.3.1 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: Reduce the speed immediately, flash your headlights Road markings are used to Road markings appear as repeatedly, and use qualify and clarify the rules lines, continuous or broken, the horn. and drive As drivers tend not to keep and regulations enacted painted along or across the as close to the right their distance and queues from Federal Law. They may carriageway. In addition to as possible. You may often build up in city traffic, warn of a danger; they may lines, you will encounter need to steer the the risk of collision in such divide the road into different arrows, studs, symbols and vehicle a bit off the conditions can be high. lanes; they may separate text messages. road as a last resort. Not only does driving close a motor vehicle lane from behind another vehicle raise a cycle track or pedestrian A broken line functions 3. You encounter several the risk of an accident, but way; or they may signal as a recommendation, heavy vehicles at the your view of the road ahead some sort of prohibition. as a warning or as a top of a hill. One of the is also obscured and driving guide for road users. drivers behind may will not be smooth. If you Their advantage is that they Drivers must be familiar with risk overtaking before have another vehicle so can easily be seen when Continuous lines all types of road markings. you reach the top. close on your tail that you other signs are hidden by are prohibitive lines. Action: Be ready to fear it will run into you from traffic and they can give a Crossing or straddling a You will find them steer to the right, slow behind, slow down slightly continuing message as you continuous line dividing illustrated in the appendix down and flash your so as to increase your safety drive along the road. two lanes is prohibited. Road Markings. headlights. margin with the vehicle ahead of you. As a general rule, the more 4. An oncoming car gets the paint, the more important into a skid. Action: the message is. Slow down, keep well clear, don’t slam on the brakes. As a last resort, you may have to steer off the road. 016 REGULATING THE ROADS REGULATING THE ROADS 017 1.4 Rules of the Road 1.4.1 The Left Hand Rule: 1.4.2 The Main Road or 1.4.3 The Exit and 1.4.5 The Obstruction Rule 1.4.6 The Bus Rule 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 In the event of a traffic jam, obstructing a crossroads or In cities or countries with intersections not controlled apply where a Give Way or other traffic whenever you walkway is prohibited. public transport buses, buses by traffic lights or road Stop sign is present. exit a parking lot, a petrol leaving a bus stop have markings, priority must station, a residential area, This is known as the Obstruction Rule. priority inside the city limits. 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 is known as This also applies in parking asphalt road from a gravel road, Off-Road area. The Bus Rule. lots and public areas, etc. you must give way or stop to traffic approaching from both This is known as the Exit and left and right. Entering Rule. This is known as the Main Road Rule or the Priority Road Rule 1.4.4 The Turning Rule 1.4.7 The Zipper principle When turning left at a crossroads, you must give way, not only Where two roads meet like jam,etc., and is acceptable to oncoming motor vehicles, but also to any pedestrians who T-Junctions, it makes road even though a road sign may cross your path. sense to apply the zipper principle, where one car may indicate that the This is known as the turning rule. 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 018 REGULATING THE ROADS REGULATING THE ROADS 019 1.5 Exceptions to the rules 1.6 Duty towards unprotected road users 1.5.1 Vehicles excluded from the rules 1.6.1 Respect for pedestrians and cyclists 1.6.2 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 Since emergency vehicles, Slow down and pull over to Remember: Controlled pedestrian Probable causes supermarket checkout. fire engines, ambulances or the side of the road, stop crossings are defined as of pedestrian police vehicles on duty must completely if necessary. all crossings controlled by crossing accidents: We are respectful when be able to get to the scene Emergency Vehicles are a police officer or a traffic we meet as pedestrians. of an accident as quickly as Disrupting the passage of beyond the traffic-rules. light. All other types of The driver did not possible, they are entitled an emergency vehicle or crossing are deemed as notice or ignored Why do we behave to violate the traffic rules forcing your way through is To warn other road uncontrolled pedestrian the pedestrian at the differently when we by breaching a red light or prohibited. users of their presence crossings, even though side of the crossing. meet as drivers? passing an island on the and demand free a traffic signal may be wrong side, always provided You are also required to passage, emergency flashing amber. The driver’s view Would we push our way of course, that they can do give priority to: vehicles are fitted with was obstructed, to get ahead of another so safely. To warn other a rotating, flashing light. Avoid overtaking cyclists at perhaps by the door vehicle if we knew that road users of their presence Military vehicles when intersections. Keep plenty of post of his or her car. we would meet the driver and demand free passage, moving in convoy Sometimes a siren and/ space from the cyclists for later at work? emergency vehicles are or strobe lights are they often wobble. The driver was going fitted with a rotating, Official convoys used as well. too fast and had The same rules of behaviour flashing light. Sometimes a Slow down and stop if you insufficient time to should apply when we are siren and/or strobe lights are Rescue vehicle convoys, Always make way for see that a pedestrian is watch the road, as interacting with other road used as well. etc. emergency vehicles. waiting to cross the road. he/she should users as do in other social interactions. Always give way for Oncoming vehicles may Slow down and pull The driver overtook emergency vehicles. pass at a road work- over to the side of a vehicle that had site unless otherwise the road, stopping stopped to allow a instructed by a sign. completely if necessary. pedestrian to cross the road. 020 REGULATING THE ROADS REGULATING THE ROADS 021 1.7 Order of traffic precedence You may run into situations in which several types of instruction are given at once. If you do, 1.7.1 Signals given by a police officer or other traffic authority the order of precedence is as follows: 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 1. Signal given by a 2. Traffic light 3. Traffic sign & 4. Rules of the road following an accident or a major public event. police and other persons police officer The green traffic lines No police officer, officially authorised to The green traffic light is on but the The traffic light no traffic light, Signals given by a police officer directing or checking the direct traffic. light is on but sign says Stop. is flashing and no traffic traffic take precedence over all else. the policeman is The signal-light amber, but the sign. Here the signaling for you takes precedence sign says Stop. rules of the Signals given by policemen: to stop. over the traffic The sign takes road apply, in The policeman’s sign. precedence. this case the Beckoning vehicles from the side Slow down signal takes obligation to give vehicles approaching from left If given from a police car, follow the police precedence. way to vehicles may continue. car and pull over behind it when it stops. approaching from the left. All Vehicles must stop Vehicles approaching from behind and when police man raises his hand. ahead must stop both left and right may continue. Stop If a police car behind you starts alternately flashing the Basic road rules blue and red lights mounted on its light-bar, 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. 022 REGULATING THE ROADS REGULATING THE ROADS 023 1.8 Give Way and Crossing rules 1.9 Giving and receiving signs and signals 1.8.1 Give way situations 1.9.1 Indicator signal An obligation to give way requires you to give clear indication You must not attempt to Sometimes If you are about to stop on a You must signal to other of your intention to give way to other vehicles by slowing pass through the crossing misunderstandings occur in main road or make 'U' turn, road users what you intend down or stopping in plenty of time. if by so doing you might traffic. Although this may be your car’s position will give to do next when you: obstruct, impede or simply due to ignorance, it's other drivers a clear signal, endanger other road users. also true that some drivers a visual clue as to what you Set off the curb or side You must give way: tend to interpret signs and 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, At uncontrolled is known as the Exit vehicles using the Besides watching out for responsibility in the event pedestrian crossings and Entering Rule. carriageway you will other people’s signals, of an accident. In other Turn onto the road, where pedestrians enter as you make you must also interpret words, you must never let have already stepped To traffic coming the turn.This is their meaning. If a signal your attention stray or stop Change lanes or position out or are just up from the left. known as the Turning is unclear, keep alert showing consideration for yourself on the road. about to step on to Vehicles approaching rule. As instructed for other clues. other road users. the crossing. a junction or by traffic lights and All signals must be given in crossroads from the traffic signs. plenty of time, and they As you turn onto the left have priority.This must be unambiguous and road from a parking is known as the Left clearly visible. lot, a gas station, a Hand Rule. residential area, a Giving a signal does not release you from pedestrian way, the To oncoming traffic hard shoulder or an as you prepare to responsibility in the event of an accident. off-road area.This turn left and to all 024 REGULATING THE ROADS REGULATING THE ROADS 025 1.9 Giving and receiving signs and signals 1.10 Light signals 1.9.2 Horn, lights and hazard signals 1.9.3 Using the horn 1.9.4 Stoplights There are different types of light signals for different categories at night of road user. Here are a few of the more common ones. Sound signals or horn may If you intend to pass a You must not use your horn Stoplights come on Traffic lights normally apply to all vehicles. Traffic lights are only be used to avert a danger. horse and a rider in residential areas from automatically as soon set up at crossroads and junctions to increase safety and If you are driving properly and midnight to 6:00 am, except as you touch the brake. ensure the smooth flow of traffic. Even so, many accidents safely you will seldom need to Hazard lights must only be to avoid danger from a still occur at light-controlled crossings. Proceed with caution use your horn. And remember, used in the event of an moving vehicle. As you approach an even if you have a green light. the fact that sounding your emergency or accident. intersection, a good method horn will not exempt you from If you need to warn of signaling is to use the A light signal or traffic sign indicating an obligation to give responsibility in the event It is very dangerous and other road users of your brake light to make your way will nearly always apply to you if it is placed on the of a collision. strictly forbidden to use the presence at night, flash your intentions clear to other road right-hand side of the carriageway just before the crossing. hazard lights in heavy rain headlights instead. users in good time and with However, if you are in a lane reserved for vehicles that are It can be very useful to use as an excuse for high speed. sufficient distance. about to turn left, the traffic light with its green arrow filter the proper light signals before signal will often be placed to the left of the carriageway. starting to overtake, especially In a sudden traffic jam or in Now and then it may be on fast roads to clear your congested conditions you necessary to warn other Do not turn at a light just because you think the road is clear; intention to other road users. may use the hazard lights road users following you too make doubly sure that it really is clear before attempting to very briefly to inform the closely or when you have go through the crossing. Flashing your headlights/high driver behind you that they entered a sudden traffic jam/ beam have the same meaning need to brake hard. congestion, by touching the And far too many motorists, whether intentionally or as sounding the horn, no brake pedal and flashing unintentionally, go through the red light. more no less. During the towing, it might your stoplight. 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 026 REGULATING THE ROADS REGULATING THE ROADS 027 1.10 Light signals 1.11 Defensive driving 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: 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 1. Pedestrian lights are placed at some junctions. As you turn onto another road, prevent accidents. observation, correct speed remember that the pedestrian lights may be green. If so, you must Give Way. It means showing Recognise Check your rear view 2. Controlled pedestrian crossing. Pedestrians who wish to cross the carriageway can consideration for road users traffic hazards mirror frequently activate a traffic light at a controlled pedestrian crossing. who are obviously not as familiar with the road as Keep a safe following Brake in good time 3. One flashing amber light (or two alternately flashing amber lights) spells danger you are. It means respecting distance from the and calls for extra care at busy locations or crossing points. This type of flashing unprotected road users and vehicle in front of you Check the road amber light signal is often used to draw the driver’s attention to a pedestrian showing courtesy and respect before setting off crossing or a warning sign. for all those whose skills are not up to your own. 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. Defensive driving requires practice, experience and 5. Alternately flashing red lights at a fire station, etc. mean Stop. a good deal of imagination. 028 REGULATING THE ROADS REGULATING THE ROADS 029 Once you have studied this chapter, try to answer these questions. If you are not sure about the 1 What is the colour of a roadwork sign? answer, go back and read that part again. Be aware that the questions do not cover the whole content of the chapter. 2 What is the colour of 3 What is the shape of 4 When does the Left Hand a prohibitive sign? a warning sign? Rule apply? 5 What is the Turning Rule? 6 What is the Main 7 What is the Exit and Road rule? Entering Rule? 8 What is the Obstruction 9 What is the Bus Rule? 10 What is Zipper Principle? Rule? 030 REGULATING THE ROADS REGULATING THE ROADS 031 Chapter Two INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 2.1 Basic positioning 2.1 Basic positioning 2.1.1 Right-hand traffic 2.1.2 Basic positioning 2.1.3 Basic positioning 2.1.4 Basic positioning 2.1.5 when continuing when turning right when turning left straight ahead On two way traffic roads a Wherever possible, get into Drivers intending to vehicle should be driven close the right-hand lane if you turn right should keep Drivers intending to turn left On a good wide road with Mistakes are easily made to the right side of the road. intend to continue in the their vehicles as close on two-way roads should little traffic, oncoming traffic with a general tendency direction you are traveling. to the right-hand edge keep their vehicles close to should normally present for drivers to misjudge the Keep to the right, leaving At or just before the junction of the carriageway the centre-line no problem. The narrower meeting point between plenty of space for any fast- you will have to keep to as is appropriate for the road is, the greater the their two vehicles as being moving vehicles on your left. the right, even though you traffic conditions. Before turning left, it is risk of an accident involving further away than it actually may have to negotiate essential to check the road two vehicles traveling in is. Other common mistakes Always try to position your with parked cars. Position your car and turn in both directions. When opposite directions. are to assume the meeting car so that you can handle off, keeping as far to the you turn left you must give point is at a spot halfway unexpected overtaking right as possible. This not way to all oncoming traffic. If possible and suitable, between the two vehicles. Of and sudden meetings only makes it easier for the The law clearly states that one driver on a narrow road course, this can be true only with oncoming traffic with vehicles on your left but turning left at a junction must stop and wait for the if both the vehicles happen maximum safety. also prevents drivers from is permissible only if you oncoming vehicle. Vehicles to be traveling at exactly creeping up on your right. can turn safely without having an obstacle up ahead the same speed. Overtaking and meetings with After turning off, position obstruction to the oncoming on the same side of the road oncoming vehicles always yourself as appropriate for traffic and vehicles coming must give way to vehicles involve an element of risk. your ongoing itinerary. up from behind. approaching from the If visibility is poor, as it may opposite direction. be; if your view is obscured It goes without saying that, by a hill or a bend in the road, in streets with two-way or if you are driving at night traffic with just one lane in or in fog or rain, the risk is each direction, you must greatly enhanced. keep well to the right so as to allow plenty of room for oncoming traffic. 034 INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 035 2.2 Inside the city limits 2.2.1 Positioning where two lanes lead to the same direction – 2.2.2 One way traffic 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 moment. 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. One-way traffic means that you can drive only in one direction. To turn left from a one-way 1. Straight ahead 2. Turning right 3. Turning left street, keep as far to the left The streets are marked with the one-way traffic sign at the as possible. To continue straight To turn right, choose To turn left, choose beginning of the block and apply until the next junction. To ahead, choose the the right-hand lane the left-hand lane prevent traffic from entering in the wrong direction a No Entry lane best suited to best suited to you in best suited to you in sign is posted at an appropriate point. 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 One-way traffic means that you can drive only you to choose the help you choose the correct lane. correct lane. correct lane. in one direction. 036 INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 037 2.2 Inside the city limits 2.3 Using your eyes and other senses 2.2.3 Roundabouts 2.3.1 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. It is easier to enter the When you exit from a There is a reason why road we perceive objects as Experienced drivers roundabouts than junctions in roundabout you will have to To turn right, get into users sometimes fail to being sharply in focus. It make better use of their light-traffic area. Giving priority change lanes, so it is especially the right hand lane. recognize and react to the corresponds to our direct peripheral vision and they to the vehicles inside the important to keep an eye key elements of their traffic or central field of vision. It tend to scan the road more roundabout makes the driving open for vehicles that may be To turn left, move environment. A driver’s is a curious fact that only 2 systematically than novice safer. Since all approaching coming up from the right. over into the scanning technique, or how percent of everything we see or inexperienced drivers. vehicles must give way to those left-hand lane. to read and interpret the road in in full focus. Novice or inexperienced already on the roundabout, the The lane taken before entering scenario when proceeding drivers on the other hand, risk of colliding with another the roundabout should be The illustration above along the road is crucial in Everything else in our tend to concentrate more vehicle is greatly reduced. maintained inside and while shows how the Give helping to identify the overall peripheral field of vision on stationary objects and exiting the roundabout. Way and Roundabout conditions which could end is more or less out of keep their eyes close to Roundabouts are essentially signs together signal up in an accident. focus, or blurred. Even if their own vehicle. no different from the ordinary Use the right indicator when your obligation you have perfect eyesight, crossroads except for one exiting the roundabout. to give way. Tests have shown that the sharpness or acuity of or more lanes encircling a scanning techniques vary your peripheral vision is central island. At a junction, maintain Always signal your from person to person and actually less than 0.1 on the the same lane for intention to leave tend to improve gradually acuity scale. To avoid having to stop or entering and exiting. the roundabout by with the driving experience. hesitate about where to turn off, flashing your right think well ahead. And expect hand indicator. The red spot is the only large or oversized vehicles to part of the retina where take more than one lane to turn. 038 INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 039 2.3 Using your eyes and other senses 2.4 Lanes 2.3.2 Visual defects - visual acuity and the visual field 2.4.1 Queuing / lanes 2.4.2 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 Good visual acuity and an In a queue, traffic jam or Drivers may change lanes advance of the prohibitory unimpaired visual field, other congested conditions, only if they can do so safely lines commonly found that is to say sharp vision collisions or pile-ups and without causing any at junctions and on and an unobstructed view, frequently occur simply unnecessary hindrance to stretches of road where are fundamental to correct because the vehicles other road users. local conditions make lane decisions in complicated involved were driving too changing unsuitable. traffic situations. Your eyes fast or were too close and A driver observing that provide you with 90% of all unable to brake in time. another road user wishes to Help keep the traffic flowing the information you need to enter his or her lane should - drive in the correct lane. manage your car in traffic, By looking well ahead facilitate entrance into the so any visual defect is likely and keeping track of the lane by adjusting his or her In some cases, you may to affect your driving in one vehicles further up the road speed appropriately. pass another vehicle on way or another. you can steer clear of such the right without feeling accidents. This makes it If you see that another that you are passing on Driving in the dark is It is important to realise that much easier to adjust your road user wishes to enter the wrong side. especially tough on your poor eyesight can seriously speed to an appropriate your lane, do all you can to eyes. Some drivers become impair your driving ability. level, since the stop lights of assist him/her. The easiest shortsighted at night the cars up ahead will warn way is to leave plenty of and may need corrective you when it is time to slow space between you and the lenses; others suffer loss down and you will have more vehicle ahead. Your eyes provide you with of visual acuity because chance to react if you have of a reduction in their to stop in a hurry. Some drivers insist on 90% of all the information sensitivity to contrast changing lanes constantly, or the eye’s ability to frequently, dangerously you need to manage your distinguish between various and without good reason. shades of grey. These actions are even car in traffic 040 INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS 041 2.4 Lanes 2.5 Overtaking and crossing junctions inside the city limits 2.4.3 Things to consider 2.5.1 Pedestrian Crossing 2.5.2 Elderly and disabled pedestrians It's permissible to pass from right side in the following situations: In a congested traffic You may pass on the where the right lane is right hand side of a open; vehicle that has clearly indicated that it is about The overhead signs to turn left. above the lanes show that the lanes lead to different destinations; In off-road places where there is no sign or line is provided. Changing lanes quickly, efficiently and safely: Overtaking and crossing - Exceptions to the Many people suffer from junctions, bends and hills overtaking restrictions some form of disability. Disabilities may be visible, Adapt your speed to As you turn the The signs above the Overtaking is prohibited: You may overtake signaled or invisible. local conditions.