When an authorised police officer directs traffic at a junction, drivers must observe and obey their manual arm signals. Match each official police hand signal with its correct meaning according to The Highway Code. Which signal corresponds to which driver instruction?
- Officer with arm raised vertically with the palm facing forwardsStop traffic approaching from the front
- Officer with arm outstretched horizontally to the side with the palm facing backwardsStop traffic approaching from behind
- Officer with one arm raised vertically forwards and the other outstretched horizontally to the sideStop traffic approaching from both front and behind simultaneously
Answer
The vertical arm with palm facing forwards matches 'Stop traffic approaching from the front'; the horizontal arm with palm facing rearwards matches 'Stop traffic approaching from behind'; and the combined upright and horizontal arms signal matches 'Stop traffic approaching from both front and behind simultaneously'.
According to The Highway Code rules on signals by authorised persons, a police officer facing approaching traffic with an arm held upright and palm forward instructs traffic from the front to stop. An arm outstretched horizontally to the side with the palm directed backwards instructs traffic approaching from behind to stop. When both arms are used together in these respective postures, traffic approaching from both directions must stop.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Hand signals given by police officers and authorised persons directing traffic under The Highway Code
Estimated Time:45s