Driving on Britain’s roads can be difficult enough as it is. Having to concentrate on what you’re doing, ensure you’re following the signs and know where you’re going whilst also trying to pre-empt other drivers’ actions is no mean feat.
It can become a whole lot more confusing when you’re faced with signs you’ve never seen before, junctions which don’t follow normal rules, and lights that flash seemingly at random.
And with the threat of fines and points hanging over the head of every driver, it’s always important to stay up to date with the rules of the road and know exactly what everything means.
Luckily the LeaseCar.uk team have unravelled and simplified six of the most confusing things you may discover whilst out and about on Britain’s roads.
- Box Junctions
Shown by a large yellow box with criss-crossed lines, box junctions have different rules depending on where you’re travelling.
The only time you should be inside the box is if you’re planning on turning right. Otherwise you should not enter it unless you have a clear way through the junction.
- Red Lines
Everyone’s used to yellow lines, they’re part and parcel of driving. A change in colour, though, and everyone goes crazy.
But red lines work very similarly to double yellow lines; no stopping is allowed in the area. Sometimes this can be during specific times, which will be shown on an accompanying sign.
Regarded as a more assertive version of double yellow lines, more and more are popping up around the country, mainly around city centres.
- T-junction road sign
Most people will recognise the classic T-junction sign, so a slightly different format can cause confusion.
With this one, vehicles from the right have priority, with those joining the road have to wait until it’s clear.
- Flashing yellow lights
We all know what traffic lights do and what the different colours mean. Throw a flashing yellow light into the mix and it all begins to get very confusing.
These lights will only be shown at pelican crossings and mean that pedestrians have right of way whilst it’s flashing. If there is no one by the crossing you are safe to drive on.
- Smart motorways
Motorways across the country are being upgraded to smart motorways. This means that they use ‘active traffic management’. It’s all to do with controlling the flow of vehicles, and they can even open the hard shoulder if traffic is especially bad.
Sensors track how many vehicles are on the stretch of motorway and can change the speed limit as is appropriate. The speed shown on the overhead signs is then the maximum speed limit, meaning if you’re caught doing over that you could be fined.
- Minimum speed limit
We all know what the maximum speed limit is on several roads and how to spot them. A lesser known fact is that there are also minimum speed limits, set to ensure the flow of traffic is constantly moving unless it’s unsafe to do so.