The Highway Code

Highway Code Rule 101

A rear-facing baby seat MUST NOT be fitted into a seat protected by an active frontal airbag, as in a crash it can cause serious injury or death to the child.

Laws

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Sections 14 & 15
• The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993
• The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts by Children in Front Seats) Regulations 1993
• The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations 2006

Highway Code Rule 102

Children in cars, vans and other goods vehicles. Drivers who are carrying children in cars, vans and other goods vehicles should also ensure that

• children should get into the vehicle through the door nearest the kerb
• child restraints are properly fitted to manufacturer’s instructions
• children do not sit behind the rear seats in an estate car or hatchback, unless a special child seat has been fitted
• the child safety door locks, where fitted, are used when children are in the vehicle
• children are kept under control.

This section should be read by all drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders. The rules in The Highway Code do not give you the right of way in any circumstance, but they advise you when you should give way to others. Always give way if it can help to avoid an incident.

Highway Code Rule 103

Signals warn and inform other road users, including pedestrians (see ‘Signals to other road users‘), of your intended actions. You should always

• give clear signals in plenty of time, having checked it is not misleading to signal at that time
• use them to advise other road users before changing course or direction, stopping or moving off
• cancel them after use
• make sure your signals will not confuse others. If, for instance, you want to stop after a side road, do not signal until you are passing the road. If you signal earlier it may give the impression that you intend to turn into the road. Your brake lights will warn traffic behind you that you are slowing down
• use an arm signal to emphasise or reinforce your signal if necessary. Remember that signalling does not give you priority.

Highway Code Rule 104

You should also

• watch out for signals given by other road users and proceed only when you are satisfied that it is safe
• be aware that an indicator on another vehicle may not have been cancelled.

Highway Code Rule 105

You MUST obey signals given by police officers, traffic officers, traffic wardens (see ‘Signals by authorised persons‘) and signs used by school crossing patrols.

Laws

• Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: Section 28
• Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 35
• Traffic Management Act Section 6
• The Functions of Traffic Wardens (Amendment) Order 2002: Article 3

Highway Code Rule 106

Police stopping procedures. If the police want to stop your vehicle they will, where possible, attract your attention by

• flashing blue lights, headlights or sounding their siren or horn, usually from behind
• directing you to pull over to the side by pointing and/or using the left indicator.

You MUST then pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Then switch off your engine.

Law

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 163

Highway Code Rule 107

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency officers have the power to stop vehicles on all roads, including motorways and trunk roads. They will attract your attention by flashing amber lights

• either from the front requesting you to follow them to a safe place to stop
• or from behind directing you to pull over to the side by pointing and/or using the left indicator.

It is an offence not to comply with their directions. You MUST obey any signals given (see ‘Signals by authorised persons‘).

Laws

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 67
• Police Reform Act Section 41 & Schedule 5(8)

Highway Code Rule 108

Traffic officers have powers to stop vehicles on most motorways and some ‘A’ class roads,in England and Wales. If traffic officers in uniform want to stop your vehicle on safety grounds (e.g. an insecure load) they will, where possible, attract your attention by

• flashing amber lights, usually from behind
• directing you to pull over to the side by pointing and/or using the left indicator.

You MUST then pull over and stop as soon as it is safe to do so. Then switch off your engine. It is an offence not to comply with their directions (see ‘Signals by authorised persons‘).

Law

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

Highway Code Rule 109

Traffic light signals and traffic signs. You MUST obey all traffic light signals (see ‘Light signals controlling traffic‘) and traffic signs giving orders, including temporary signals & signs (see ‘Traffic signs‘). Make sure you know, understand and act on all other traffic and information signs and road markings (see ‘Traffic signs‘, ‘Road markings‘ and ‘Vehicle markings‘).

Laws

• Road Traffic Act 1988: Section 36
• The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002: Regulations 10, 15, 16, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 36, 38 & 40

Highway Code Rule 110

Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.

Highway Code Rule 111

Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully.

Highway Code Rule 112

The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn

• while stationary on the road
• when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am

except when another road user poses a danger.

Law

• The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986: Regulation 99

Highway Code Rule 113

You MUST

• ensure all sidelights and rear registration plate lights are lit between sunset and sunrise
• use headlights at night, except on a road which has lit street lighting. These roads are generally restricted to a speed limit of 30 mph (48 km/h) unless otherwise specified
• use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced (see Rule 226).

Night (the hours of darkness) is defined as the period between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise.

Laws

• The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989: Regulations 3, 24 & 25 (In Scotland – Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984: Section 82 (as amended by New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, Paragraph 59 of Schedule 8))

Highway Code Rule 114

You MUST NOT

• use any lights in a way which would dazzle or cause discomfort to other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders
• use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced. You MUST switch them off when visibility improves to avoid dazzling other road users (see Rule 226).

In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.

Law

• The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989: Regulation 27

Highway Code Rule 115

You should also

• use dipped headlights, or dim-dip if fitted, at night in built-up areas and in dull daytime weather, to ensure that you can be seen
• keep your headlights dipped when overtaking until you are level with the other vehicle and then change to main beam if necessary, unless this would dazzle oncoming road users
• slow down, and if necessary stop, if you are dazzled by oncoming headlights.

Highway Code Rule 116

Hazard warning lights. These may be used when your vehicle is stationary, to warn that it is temporarily obstructing traffic. Never use them as an excuse for dangerous or illegal parking. You MUST NOT use hazard warning lights while driving or being towed unless you are on a motorway or unrestricted dual carriageway and you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead. Only use them for long enough to ensure that your warning has been observed.

Law

• The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989: Regulation 27

Highway Code Rule 117

In normal circumstances. The safest way to brake is to do so early and lightly. Brake more firmly as you begin to stop. Ease the pressure off just before the vehicle comes to rest to avoid a jerky stop.

Highway Code Rule 118

In an emergency. Brake immediately. Try to avoid braking so harshly that you lock your wheels. Locked wheels can lead to loss of control.

Highway Code Rule 119

Skids. Skidding is usually caused by the driver braking, accelerating or steering too harshly or driving too fast for the road conditions. If skidding occurs, remove the cause by releasing the brake pedal fully or easing off the accelerator. Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid. For example, if the rear of the vehicle skids to the right, steer immediately to the right to recover.

Highway Code Rule 120

ABS. If your vehicle is fitted with anti-lock brakes, you should follow the advice given in the vehicle handbook. However, in the case of an emergency, apply the footbrake firmly; do not release the pressure until the vehicle has slowed to the desired speed. The ABS should ensure that steering control will be retained, but do not assume that a vehicle with ABS will stop in a shorter distance.