MOTORWAYS

Rules 202 to 232 of this code specially relate to the
Motorway. This does not mean that the other rules of this code do not apply while using the motorway.
They do sometimes partly and sometimes wholly.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

202. Motorways MUST NOT be used by pedestrians, provisional license holders, riders of motorcycles, scooters and moped under 80cc, cyclist and horse riders. Slow-moving vehicles, agricultural vehicles and few invalid carriages are also prohibited. On motorway hand and animal drawn vehicles, construction machinery and herding of animals is also not permitted.

203. Traffic on motorways travels more quickly than on other roads, so you have to think quickly too. It is especially important to use your mirrors earlier and look much further ahead than you would on other roads.

204. Make sure your vehicle is fit to cruise at speed, has correct tyre pressures and enough fuel, oil and water to get you at least to the next service area. See that the windscreen, windows, mirrors, lights and reflectors are clean and that the windscreen washer bottle is topped up. You MUST make sure that any load you are carrying or towing is secure.

HOW TO JOIN THE MOTORWAY

205. When you join the motorway you will normally
approach it from a road on the left (a slip-road). You
MUST give way to traffic already on the motorway.
While on the slip - road, check the traffic already on
the motorway and adjust your speed so that you join the left-hand lane where there is a safe gap and at the same speed as traffic in that lane.

206. At some junctions the slip-road will continue as an extra lane on the motorway. Where signs indicate that this will happen, stay in that lane until it becomes part of the motorway.

207. After joining the motorway, stay in the left hand lane long enough to get used to the speed of traffic before overtaking.

WHEN ON THE MOTORWAY

208. When you can see well ahead and the road conditions are good, drive at a steady cruising speed, which you and your vehicle can handle easily. You MUST NOT exceed the maximum speed limit for your vehicle. Keep the safe distance from the vehicle in front and increase the gap on wet muddy or icy roads or in fog.

209. Driving can make you feel sleepy. To help prevent this, make sure there is a supply of fresh air into your vehicle, stop at a service area or leave the motorway and find a safe place to stop.

210. You MUST NOT reverse, cross the central reservation or drive against the traffic flow. Even if you have missed your exit, or have taken the wrong route, carry on to the next exit.

Lane Discipline

211. Keep in the left hand lane unless overtaking. You may use the lane to the right of a stream of slower vehicles to overtake them but return to the lane to your left when you have passed them.

212. When approaching a junction make sure you are in the correct lane; at some junctions a lane may lead directly off the motorway.

213. Some vehicles MUST NOT use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes. If you are driving:

o any vehicle drawing a trailer
o a goods vehicle
o a bus, coach, wagon (public service transport)

Overtaking

214. Overtake only on the right unless traffic is moving in queues and the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are. Do not move to a lane on your left to overtake. You MUST NOT use the hard shoulder for overtaking.

Keep a safe distance from the vehicle you are overtaking.

(Fig-i 0)

215. Do not overtake unless you are sure it is sate to do so. Before you start to overtake, make sure that the lane you will be joining is sufficiently clear ahead and behind. Use your mirrors.

Remember that traffic may be coming up behind you very quickly. Signal before you move out. Be especially careful at night and in poor visibility when it is harder to judge speed and distance.

216. Always get back to the left-hand lane or if it is occupied, the middle lane, as soon as you can after overtaking. Signal your intention to change lanes. Do not cut in on the vehicle you have overtaken.
Remember: mirror - signal manoeuvre

Motorway Signals

217. Motorway signals are used to warn you of a danger ahead, for example an accident or risk of skidding. Usually they are situated on the central reservation where they apply to all lanes. On very busy stretches, they may be overhead with a signal for each lane.

218. Where there is a danger, amber lights flash. The signal may also show a temporary maximum speed limit, lanes that are closed or a message (for example, "Fog"). Reduce your speed and look out for the danger until you pass a signal, which is not flashing and you are sure it is safe to increase your speed.

219. If red lights on the overhead signals flash above your lane (there may also be a red X), you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in that lane. If red lights flash on a signal in the central reservation or a slip-road, you MUST NOT go beyond the signal in any lane.

(Fig-11)

220. All signals are there to protect you. Always do what they say. Remember - danger, such as drifting fog, may be there even if you cannot immediately
see the cause.

Road Studs and Signs

221. To help drivers on motorways at night, there are amber-coloured studs marking the right-hand edge of the road, red studs marking the left-hand edge and green studs separating the slip-road from the motorway. White studs separate the lanes on the motorway.

222. On some motorways, direction signs are placed over the road. If you need to change lanes, do so in good time.

Road Works

223. Take special care at road works. One or more lanes may be closed to traffic and a lower speed limit may apply. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

Obstructions

224. If anything that could be dangerous falls from your vehicle or any other vehicle, stop at the next emergency telephone to tell the police. Do not try to remove it yourself.

Stopping and Parking

225. You MUST NOT stop except:
o in an emergency
o when told to do so by the police, by an emergency sign or by flashing red light signals

226. You MUST NOT park on:

o the carriageway
o the slip-road
o the hard shoulder
o the central reservation

227. You MUST NOT pick up or set down anyone on a slip-road or on any other part of the motorway.

228. You MUST NOT walk on the carriageway except in an emergency.

Breakdowns

229. If your vehicle develops a problem, leave the motorway at the next exit or pull into a service area. If you cannot do so, you should:

o try to stop near an emergency telephone (you will find them at intervals along the hard shoulder)
o pull on to the hard shoulder and stop as far to the left as possible
o switch on your hazard warning lights
o keep your sidelights on if it is dark or visibility is poor
o leave the vehicle by the left-hand door and ensure your passengers do the same(leave any animals inside)
o ensure passengers wait near the vehicle, but well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder, and that children are kept under control
o walk to an emergency telephone (following the arrows on the posts at the back of the hard shoulder) - it is free to use and connects directly to the police - tell them if you are a woman travelling alone - and then return to your vehicle
o wait near your vehicle but well away from the carriageway and hard shoulder. If you feel at risk , return to your vehicle by a left hand door and lock all doors. Leave your vehicle again as soon as you feel the danger has passed

If you cannot get your vehicle on to the hard shoulder:

o switch on your hazard warning lights
o leave your vehicle only if you are sure you can
o if in doubt, remain in your vehicle wearing a seat belt until the emergency services arrive
o do not attempt to place a warning triangle on the carriageway

If you have a disability which prevents you from following the above advice:

o stay in your vehicle with all doors locked; switch on your hazard warning lights
o display a "Help" pennant or, if you have a car telephone, contact the emergency services
o Do not attempt even simple repairs and remember you MUST NOT try to cross the motorway

230. Before rejoining the carriageway, buildup speed on the hard shoulder and watch for a safe gap in the traffic.

HOW TO LEAVE THE MOTORWAY

231. Unless signs indicate that a lane leads directly off the motorway, you will leave the motorway by a slip-road on your left. Watch for the signs letting you know you are getting near your exit, if you are not already in the left-hand lane, move into it well before reaching your exit and stay in it. Signal left in good time and slow down as necessary.

232. When leaving the motorway or using a link road between motorways, your speed may be higher than you think. 80 km/h may feel like 48 km/h. Check your speedometer and adjust your speed accordingly. Some slip-roads and link roads have sharp bends so you will need to slow down.

ANIMALS

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

233. Do not let your dog out on it's own. Keep it on a short lead when taking it for a walk on or near a road or on a path shared with cyclists.

234. Keep animals under control in vehicles. Make sure they cannot distract you while you are driving. Do not let a dog out of .a vehicle on to the road unless it is on a lead.

235. If you are herding animals, keep to the left of the road, if possible, send another person along the road to warn other road users, for example at bends and the brows of hills.

236. If you have to herd animals after dark, wear reflective clothing and ensure that white lights are carried at the front and red lights at the rear of the herd.

237. Before. you take a horse on to a road, make sure you can control it. If you think that your horse will be nervous of traffic, always ride with other, less nervous, horses.

238. Make sure all tack fits well and is in good condition. Never ride a horse without a saddle or bridle.

239. Wear safety helmet and fasten it securely -children under the age of 14 MUST do this. You should also wear boots or shoes with hard soles and heels.

240. If you have to ride at night, wear reflective
clothing and make sure your horse has reflective bands on its legs above the fetlock joints. Carry lights, which show white to the front and red to the rear.

241. Never ride more than two abreast. Ride in single file on narrow roads.

242. When riding:

o keep both hands on the reins unless you are signaling
o keep both feet in the stirrups
o do not carry another person
o do not carry anything, which might affect your balance or get tangled up with the reins
o wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective materials at night

FOR DRIVERS OF
ANIMAL DRAWN VEHICLES

243. Always keep well to the left of the road even if it appears clear of traffic.

244. Before turning, stopping or changing lanes, give hand-signals clearly and well in time.

245. Keep your animals under proper control.

246. Do not allow a child to take charge of your

vehicle.

247. Do not turn or change course abruptly.

248. Do not sleep while driving or leave your vehicle un-attended.

249. Do not drive at night without a lantern and reflectors. Make sure that the lantern is visible from the rear as well as from the front.

250. While hauling wide and projecting load
observe permissible limits, mark the ends of your load with a red flag by day and with a red light by night.

251. Whenever you hear or see a motor vehicle approaching, draw well on to the left side of the road immediately.

252. Traffic signs, signals and rules of the code equally apply to you; learn them and faithfully follow them.

FOR PERSONS INCHARGE OF ANIMALS

253. Do not tie cattle together when leading them along a road or street.

254. Make sure that the road is clear before you let or take animals on the road.

255. If you are herding animals along or across the road and there is someone with you, send him along the road to warn drivers at places such as bends and top of the hills where they may not be able to see. When there are several animals, one person should lead them and one should follow them.

256. Keep the animals being led or driven as far to the left side of the road as possible. Keep yourself between the traffic and the animals.

257. If you are riding a horse, keep to the left and
take particular care if the animal is traffic shy.

258. Carry a lantern when herding, riding or leading animals after dark.

259. Use cattle creeps where provided.

RAILWAY LEVEL CROSSINGS

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

260. A level crossing is where a road crosses railway lines. Approach and cross it with care. Never drive on to a crossing until the road is clear on the other side - do not drive "nose to tail" over it. Never stop on or just after a crossing. Never park close to a crossing.

261. If the gates or barriers are closed, stop and wait behind the stopped traffic, till the gates are opened. Never attempt to pass through half opened gates or gain a favourable forward position by overtaking, even on shoulders.

262. At crossing with half barriers, never zigzag around the barriers, they are lowered because a train is approaching.

263. If your vehicle breaks down, or if you have an
accident on a crossing:

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

Railway Crossings with no Control

264. At level crossing with no gate, attendant or warning lights, stop look both ways, listen and make sure there is no train coming before you cross.

265. Some crossings have gates but no attendant or traffic signals. At such crossings, stop, look both ways, listen and make sure no train is approaching. If there is a railway telephone, contact the signal operator to make sure it is safe to cross. If crossing with a vehicle, open the gates on both sides of the crossing, then check that no train is coming and cross quickly. When you have cleared the crossing, close both gates. Remember to inform the signal operator again when you are clear of the crossing.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
RELATED TO LAW

ROAD TRAFFIC LAW

The instructions given herein are not comprehensive. These are general guidelines for all type of road users dealing with situations, which commonly arise. For exact application of law read the relevant legislations.

(A) DRIVERS

1. You MUST have:
o a valid driving licence
o a current vehicle excise licence token
o valid third party insurance covering your use
of the vehicles;o a current fitness certificate
o the Highway and Motorway code.

2. The law requires that the conditions of your vehicle, any trailer it is drawing, its load, and the number of passengers and the way in which they are carried are such that they do not involve danger of injury to yourself or others. There are more detailed regulations, which require the different parts of your vehicle to be kept in good condition and working order. These include brakes, steering, lights, windscreens and windows, exhaust, seat belts and fittings, speedometer and horn.

Tyres MUST have a continuous tread depth of at least 1.6 mm on cars, light vans and light trailers (1mm for other vehicles) across the centre three-quarters of the width. They MUST also be properly inflated and free from cuts and other defects.

Headlights MUST be properly adjusted to prevent dazzling oncoming traffic.

Windscreens and windows MUST be free from obstruction to vision, and MUST be kept clean.

3. You and your passengers MUST wear a seat
belt in the front and (if fitted) the rear of the vehicle, unless you are exempt. Exemptions include the holders of medical exemption certificates, people making local deliveries in a vehicle designed or adapted for that purpose, and children in the rear of taxis with partitions.

It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that children under 14 years comply with the law.

4. Your eyesight MUST be up to the standard required for the driving test at all times when you drive.

5. You MUST NOT:
· drive under the influence of drinking or drugs;

6. You MUST comply with:
· maximum speed limits or any special speed
limit fixed for your vehicle;
· amber and red 'STOP' signals, traffic signs giving orders double white lines and yellow road markings
· the direction of police officer controlling traffic.

7. You MUST NOT:
o drive dangerously
o drive without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for ether road users
o drive on a footway, footpath or cycle track

8. Pedestrians have precedence on the carriageway within the limits of a Zebra crossing, and on a Pelican crossing when the signal to cross it lit up. You MUST give way to pedestrians on a Zebra crossing or when an amber light is flashing on a Pelican crossing.

9. The carriageway on the approach to a Zebra or Pelican crossing is normally marked by zigzag lines. In this area you MUST NOT:

o overtake the moving motor vehicle nearest the crossing
o overtake the leading vehicle which has stopped to give way to a pedestrian

10. You MUST stop when singled to do so by a school crossing patrol exhibiting a 'STOP' for
children sign.

11. You MUST:

o ensure your front and rear side lights and rear registration plate lights are lit at night
o Use headlight at night on all unlit roads and those where the streetlights are more than 185 meters (600 ft) apart
o use headlights when visibility is seriously reduced

12. You MUST NOT:

o use headlights in a way, which would dazzle or discomfort other road users
o use front or rear fog lights unless visibility is seriously reduced
o sound your horn at night(11.30 p.m.to7a.m.) in a built-up area

13. There are a number of places where the law specifically forbids you to let your vehicle stand. In addition there is a more general legal requirement that you MUST NOT park on the road in such a way that your vehicle or trailer is likely to cause danger to other road users or an unnecessary obstruction.

14. You MUST stop your vehicle when required to do so by a uniformed police officer, who may require you to produce documents including your driving licence, certificate of insurance and vehicle fitness certificate, and the highway and motorway code.

15. Most of the requirements of the law relating to drivers of motor vehicles also apply to motorcyclists.

In addition they MUST:
o wear an safety helmet on all journeys
o ensure that exhaust system and silencer are of a reasonable type
o carry no more than one passenger on a motorcycle

Learners MUST comply with the requirements mentioned in the Rules 32 to 35 of this code.

16. Pillion passengers MUST:
o wear an approved type of safety helmet
o sit astride the cycle on a proper seat securely fitted behind the driver's seat and with proper rests for the feet

(B) MOTORWAY DRIVING

Motorway MUST NOT be used by pedestrians, holders of provisional ordinary licences, pedal cycles, motorcycles under 80cc, certain invalid carriages, slow-moving vehicles carrying oversized loads, agricultural vehicles, animals, animals drawn vehicles and construction machinery.

You MUST:
o drive on the carriageway only
o observe one-way driving on the carriageway
o observe maximum speed limits or any special speed limit for your vehicle
o observe flashing red signals when displayed over your lane or at the side of the carriageway
o keep any animals in the vehicle or (in an emergency) under proper control on the verge

You MUST NOT:

o drive in reverse on the carriageway
o stop on the carriageway; or on the central reservation or verge

(C) TO PEDESTRIANS

You have precedence over other road users when you are on the carriageway within the limits of a Zebra crossing, and on a Pelican crossing when the signal to cross it lit. But you MUST NOT loiter on a pedestrian crossing.

You MUST NOT:

o walk on motorway or their slip-roads
o walk on the carriageway when directed not to do so by a police officer or controlling traffic
o hold on to get on a moving motor vehicle or trailer

(D) CYCLISTS

You MUST obey the same rules as apply to drivers at pedestrian crossings and school crossing patrols. In addition you MUST:

o ensure that your brakes are efficient
o at night, ensure your front and rear lights are lit and that your cycle has an efficient red rear reflector
o at night, if you are wheeling your cycle or are stationary without lights, keep as close as possible to the nearside edge of the road
o stop when required to do so by a uniformed police officer

You MUST NOT:

o ride dangerously
o ride without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for the other road users
o ride under the influence of drink or drugs
o ride on a footway or footpath unless there is a right to do so
leave your cycle on road in such a way that it is likely to cause danger to other road users, or where waiting is prohibited
o carry a passenger on a bicycle not constructed or adapted to carry more than one person
o hold on to a moving motor vehicle or trailer

The penalty table indicate the offences and the associated penalties. This list is not comprehensive and there are other offences / violations for which one can be prosecuted.

2. As can be seen there are penalty points for offences listed in the table. These are intended to deter people from unsafe driving. The accumulation of penalty points acts as a warning to drivers that they risk disqualification if further offences are committed. Any driver who accumulates 20 or more points within a two-year period must be disqualified by the S.P Highway and Motorway Police for a minimum period of six months and for a longer period if the driver has previously been disqualified.

(See the next pages for penalty table)

VEHICLE SECURITY

When you leave your vehicle always:

· Remove the ignition key and engage the steering lock.
· Lock the car, even if you only leave it for a few minutes.
· Close the windows completely - even the smallest gap is asking for trouble. But never leave children or pets in an unventilated car.
· Take all contents with you, or lock them in the boot. Remember, for all a thief knows a carrier bag may contain valuables. Never leave vehicle documents in the car.

For extra security fit an anti-theft device such as an alarm or immobiliser. If you are buying a new car it is good idea to check the level of built-in security features and it is worthwhile having your registration number etched on all your car windows. This is a cheap and effective deterrent to professional thieves.

FIRST AID

Take the following actions: -.

DANGER - Deal with threatened danger or you and the casualties may be killed. FURTHER COLLISIONS and FIRE are the dangers in a road accident.

1. If possible, warn other traffic. Switch off the engine. Impose a 'No Smoking' ban.

2. Send a bystander to call an ambulance as soon as possible; state the exact location of the accident and the numbers of vehicles and causalities involved.

3. Casualties remaining in vehicles should not be moved unless further danger is threatened.

If breathing has stopped:

4. Remove any obvious obstruction in the mouth. Keep the head tilted backwards as far as possible -breathing may begin and the colour may improve. If not, pinch the casualty's nostrils together and blow into the mouth until the chest rises; withdraw, then repeat regularly once every four seconds until the causality can breathe unaided.

5. Movement may further damage an injured back, so only move if in danger. If breathing becomes difficult or stops, treat as above.

6. Apply firm hand pressure over the wound, preferably using some clean material, without pressing on any foreign body in the wound. Secure a pad with a bandage or length of cloth. Raise limb to lessen the bleeding, providing it is not broken.

7. The casualty may be shocked but prompt treatment will minimize this; reassure confidently; avoid unnecessary movement; keep the casualty comfortable and prevent them getting cold; ensure they are not left alone.

8. Give the casualty NOTHING to drink.

9. Carry a first aid kit. Learn first aid from a qualified organization.

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