The Highway Code

Highway Code Rule 281

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

Laws

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Sections 35 & 163 as amended by Traffic Management Act Section 6

Highway Code Rule 282

When passing the scene of an incident or crash do not be distracted or slow down unnecessarily (for example if an incident is on the other side of a dual carriageway). This may cause a collision or traffic congestion, but see Rule 283, below.

Highway Code Rule 283

If you are involved in a crash or stop to give assistance

• use your hazard warning lights to warn other traffic
• ask drivers to switch off their engines and stop smoking
• arrange for the emergency services to be called immediately with full details of the incident location and any casualties (on a motorway, use the emergency telephone which allows easy location by the emergency services. If you use a mobile phone, first make sure you have identified your location from the marker posts on the side of the hard shoulder)
• move uninjured people away from the vehicles to safety; on a motorway this should, if possible, be well away from the traffic, the hard shoulder and the central reservation
• do not move injured people from their vehicles unless they are in immediate danger from fire or explosion
• do not remove a motorcyclist’s helmet unless it is essential to do so
• be prepared to give first aid
• stay at the scene until emergency services arrive.

If you are involved in any other medical emergency on the motorway you should contact the emergency services in the same way.

Highway Code Rule 284

Vehicles carrying dangerous goods in packages will be marked with plain orange reflective plates. Road tankers and vehicles carrying tank containers of dangerous goods will have hazard warning plates (see ‘Vehicle markings‘).

Highway Code Rule 285

If an incident involves a vehicle containing dangerous goods, follow the advice in Rule 283 and, in particular

• switch off engines and DO NOT SMOKE
• keep well away from the vehicle and do not be tempted to try to rescue casualties as you yourself could become one
• call the emergency services and give as much information as possible about the labels and markings on the vehicle. DO NOT use a mobile phone close to a vehicle carrying flammable loads.

Highway Code Rule 286

If you are involved in a collision which causes damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property, you MUST

• stop
• give your own and the vehicle owner’s name and address, and the registration number of the vehicle, to anyone having reasonable grounds for requiring them
• if you do not give your name and address at the time of the collision, report it to the police as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any case within 24 hours.

Law

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 170

Highway Code Rule 287

If another person is injured and you do not produce your insurance certificate at the time of the crash to a police officer or to anyone having reasonable grounds to request it, you MUST

• report it to the police as soon as possible and in any case within 24 hours
• produce your insurance certificate for the police within seven days.

Law

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 170

Highway Code Rule 288

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

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

Law

• Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: Section 16

Highway Code Rule 289

Take special care on motorways and other high-speed dual carriageways.

• One or more lanes may be closed to traffic and a lower speed limit may apply.
• Works vehicles that are slow moving or stationary with a large ‘Keep Left’ or ‘Keep Right’ sign on the back are sometimes used to close lanes for repairs, and a flashing light arrow may also be used to make the works vehicle more conspicuous from a distance and give earlier warning to drivers that they need to move over to the next lane.
• Check mirrors, slow down and change lanes if necessary.
• Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front (see Rule 126).

Highway Code Rule 290

Contraflow systems mean that you may be travelling in a narrower lane than normal and with no permanent barrier between you and oncoming traffic. The hard shoulder may be used for traffic, but be aware that there may be broken-down vehicles ahead of you. Keep a good distance from the vehicle ahead and observe any temporary speed limits.

Highway Code Rule 291

A level crossing is where a road crosses a railway or tramway line. Approach and cross it with care. Never drive onto a crossing until the road is clear on the other side and do not get too close to the car in front. Never stop or park on, or near, a crossing.

Highway Code Rule 292

Overhead electric lines. It is dangerous to touch overhead electric lines. You MUST obey the safe height warning road signs and you should not continue forward onto the railway if your vehicle touches any height barrier or bells. The clearance available is usually 5 metres (16 feet 6 inches) but may be lower.

Laws

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 36
• The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002: Regulation 17(5)

Highway Code Rule 293

Controlled Crossings. Most crossings have traffic light signals with a steady amber light, twin flashing red stop lights (see ‘Light signals controlling traffic’ and ‘Traffic signs’) and an audible alarm for pedestrians. They may have full, half or no barriers.

• You MUST always obey the flashing red stop lights.
• You MUST stop behind the white line across the road.
• Keep going if you have already crossed the white line when the amber light comes on.
• Do not reverse onto or over a controlled crossing.
• You MUST wait if a train goes by and the red lights continue to flash. This means another train will be passing soon.
• Only cross when the lights go off and barriers open.
• Never zig-zag around half-barriers, they lower automatically because a train is approaching.
• At crossings where there are no barriers, a train is approaching when the lights show.

Laws

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 36
• The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002: Regulations 10 & 40

Highway Code Rule 294

Railway telephones. If you are driving a large or slow- moving vehicle, a long, low vehicle with a risk of grounding, or herding animals, a train could arrive before you are clear of the crossing. You MUST obey any sign instructing you to use the railway telephone to obtain permission to cross. You MUST also telephone when clear of the crossing if requested to do so.

Laws

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 36
• The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002: Regulations 10 & 16(1)

Highway Code Rule 295

Crossings without traffic lights. Vehicles should stop and wait at the barrier or gate when it begins to close and not cross until the barrier or gate opens.

Highway Code Rule 296

User-operated gates or barriers. Some crossings have ‘Stop’ signs and small red and green lights. You MUST NOT cross when the red light is showing, only cross if the green light is on. If crossing with a vehicle, you should

• open the gates or barriers on both sides of the crossing
• check that the green light is still on and cross quickly
• close the gates or barriers when you are clear of the crossing.

Laws

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 36
• The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002: Regulations 10 & 52(2)

Highway Code Rule 297

If there are no lights, follow the procedure in Rule 296. Stop, look both ways and listen before you cross. If there is a railway telephone, always use it to contact the signal operator to make sure it is safe to cross. Inform the signal operator again when you are clear of the crossing.

Highway Code Rule 298

Open crossings. These have no gates, barriers, attendant or traffic lights but will have a ‘Give Way’ sign. You should look both ways, listen and make sure there is no train coming before you cross.

Highway Code Rule 299

Incidents and breakdowns. If your vehicle breaks down, or if you have an incident on a crossing you should

• get everyone out of the vehicle and clear of the crossing immediately
• use a railway telephone if available to tell the signal operator. Follow the instructions you are given
• move the vehicle clear of the crossing if there is time before a train arrives. If the alarm sounds, or the amber light comes on, leave the vehicle and get clear of the crossing immediately.

Highway Code Rule 300

You MUST NOT enter a road, lane or other route reserved for trams. Take extra care where trams run along the road. You should avoid driving directly on top of the rails and should take care where trams leave the main carriageway to enter the reserved route, to ensure you do not follow them. The width taken up by trams is often shown by tram lanes marked by white lines, yellow dots or by a different type of road surface. Diamond-shaped signs and white light signals give instructions to tram drivers only.

Law

• Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: Sections 5 & 8