Question

Difficulty: MediumSignals by Authorised Persons

Authorised personnel such as police officers, DVSA officers, traffic officers, and school crossing patrols have statutory authority to regulate road traffic using distinct physical hand signals, signs, and vehicle displays. Match each described signal to its correct legal meaning or mandatory driver response. Which matching correctly pairs each authorised signal with the required driver response?

  • A police officer standing in a junction raises their right arm vertically with the open palm facing forward.You must bring your vehicle to a complete stop because the signal mandates traffic approaching from the front to stop.
  • A marked DVSA enforcement vehicle drives ahead of you, flashes amber lights, signals left, and illuminates a 'FOLLOW ME' message board.You must follow the patrol car and safely pull over when and where directed by the officer.
  • A school crossing patrol officer steps onto the carriageway holding an upright pole with a circular 'STOP - CHILDREN' sign.You must stop before reaching the crossing and remain stationary until the patrol officer and all pedestrians have completely left the road.
  • A National Highways traffic officer vehicle travels with illuminated flashing amber beacons while weaving across multiple motorway lanes.You must not overtake the patrol vehicle and must reduce your speed to match the rolling road block.

Answer

The police officer's raised right arm matches the requirement to stop traffic approaching from the front; the DVSA vehicle displaying 'FOLLOW ME' matches the requirement to follow and pull over where directed; the school crossing patrol's upright sign matches the mandatory stop until pedestrians and patrol are clear; and the traffic officer's weaving with amber beacons matches the obligation not to overtake during a rolling road block.
Each signal corresponds directly to the official duties and powers set out in the UK Highway Code. Police hand gestures provide clear directional stopping instructions at junctions; DVSA matrix signs instruct drivers to follow them to inspection sites; school crossing patrols have legal authority to halt all traffic until the crossing is fully cleared; and traffic officers using illuminated amber lights in a weaving pattern establish a rolling road block that forbids overtaking.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the authority figure and physical hand signal in the first scenario.
The police officer raising their right arm vertically with the palm facing forward is the official gesture instructing traffic approaching from the front to stop.
Highway Code signals by authorised persons designate this specific gesture for oncoming traffic.
2
Evaluate the vehicle matrix display and indicator signal in the second scenario.
A DVSA vehicle displaying 'FOLLOW ME' accompanied by beacons and a left indicator instructs the following driver to trail the enforcement vehicle to a safe stopping point.
DVSA officers possess powers under the Road Traffic Act to direct vehicles to designated check sites.
3
Determine the legal obligation when meeting an active school crossing patrol.
An upright 'STOP - CHILDREN' sign in the carriageway commands an absolute stop until the road is fully cleared by both pedestrians and the crossing patrol.
Section 28 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 makes it an offence to pass an active school crossing patrol.
4
Determine the meaning of a motorway rolling road block conducted by National Highways traffic officers.
A patrol car weaving with amber lights indicates a rolling road block; drivers must slow down and remain behind the officer.
Overtaking an officer executing a rolling road block is unsafe and contrary to traffic management instructions.

Key Concept

Highway Code rules 105 to 112 governing mandatory obedience to signals given by police officers, DVSA officers, traffic officers, and school crossing patrols.
Estimated Time:1m 15s
Rate this question